It’s human nature to take the easy route and leap at storage methods that promise quick and convenient ways to remove visible clutter. Putting things away creates the illusion that the clutter problem has been solved. But sooner or later, all the storage units are full, and the room once again overflows with things.
When you rescue stuff from landfill, to showcase to the world what is thrown out, you eventually start to accumulate stuff. Do not get RUDE wrong, most of the things we save are useful and practical. and we get joy from them. Many are reused as resources for our knowledge and skills accumulation. Nearly all of our treasured finds are shared in a story with our followers.
However, the time has come in the RUDE household to de-stash. We have been ruthless before. RUDE Girl moved every couple of years for two decades. I am a very good de-stasher when I have to be. However for a decade RUDE have been in the one place. There has been no need to drastically de-stash.
I recently visited a friend who is reading Marie Kondo’s book on the Japanese art of de-cluttering. She inspired me to get home and start de-cluttering. Are we following Ms Kondo’s de-cluttering method? Not really.
Why the big cull? Firstly, RUDE will be retiring to the coast, and moving out of our current home. Call us lazy, but we prefer to avoid unnecessary packing when the time comes. Secondly, we were both feeling like we needed to clear our heads and spaces. This will allow new ideas to flow into our lives. Too much stuff crowds not only space but the mind too.
With clearing out, also comes loads of work. We are scrubbing, washing, sorting and tidying as we go. But if feels like a good cleanse of the house and soul.
Where is all our stuff going? As much as we would have liked to invite friends and family to pick through things, this is not an option. We do not have a storage space to showcase what is for the taking. There is no room, that’s why we have to say good-bye to it pronto. We thought of putting it out on the verge but our local Council would probably fine us for our goodwill recycling gesture.
The majority of our de-stashed stuff is going to local smaller charities. A few things we have placed aside for family but it’s not much. Selling our stuff was not an option either, as it tends to linger around and cause more work!
We do not feel guilty, as most of the stuff was free or bought for very little outlay. We feel quite pleased that most of it was rescued and cared for/repaired/maintained by us. Hopefully it will now be sold to make some money for our local charities.
Beat The Man by not buying more storage options for your stuff!
Photos below: After shots of the kitchen cupboards. The contents of these cupboards have been de-stashed by more than a half.
Photos below: After shots of our wardrobes. The contents of our wardrobes have been de-stashed by more than a half.
And if all RUDE’S de-cluttering is too minimalist for you. Check out this guy in Darwin, Australia who loves to collect kitsch stuff.
At Home with Mend It Aussie 
“Too much stuff crowds not only space but the mind too.” – definitely!
I remember when we moved into our first flat. We had 2 large suitcases and that was all. We lived out of the suitcases and then when we found jobs things just accumulated. It’s funny what money can do.
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Thank you Agatha for your comment. Many of us have started out with not much. And then as we started to earn more money we jumped on the consumer bandwagon.
I had a wake up call when my mother recently moved into assisted living. She had to get rid of stuff that she had enjoyed collecting over the years.
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This definitely is a tendency. I’ve heard of minimalist way of living, where people keep minimum of stuff they really use, so sounds similar.
De-cluttering is something I want to do this year, too. Good on you, though! In general, it’s lots of work, but when is done the “freedom” is worth it;)
Mariana
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Hi there Mariana. Great we are following each other and sharing tips and experiences. I feel we are like-minded souls.
Yes, with the de-cluttering I am feeling freedom and so is RUDE Boy. I am also feeling growth. Like growth away from what I was doing last year and branching out into a new re-creative direction.
I love refashioning garments but I can only wear so many. Therefore this year RUDE will be concentrating our efforts on repair and mend.
Stay posted for this week’s post for some news on what’s next for us.
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I have just started reading that book 🙂
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Thanks for sharing Sewing Nook. And what do you think of the book and its strategies?
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Not to sure at the moment,some of it makes sense whilst other bits are over the top for me 🙂
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This is SO on my list of things to do. I like to declutter and give away things we don’t need. My husband likes to keep everything. It’s a constant battle. Good luck with the endeavour. Moving to the coast sounds like a great plan!
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Hello again Restyle4Life. It’s a battle with us too because we are both tinkerers. And we require our resources. However, we are both very practical. We know when we are unable to squish anymore into our cupboards, drawers, wardrobes and shed. That’s when it’s time to de-clutter. And we are ruthless. A move to the coast down the track, gives us another reason to clean out. We are still de-stashing bit by bit. There is no rush to finish it all at once. The bulk of it has been achieved. And now we are fine tuning when we find the time and energy. It takes physical and mental stamina, that’s for sure!!
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I love that your wardrobe hangers all face the same direction, just like mine. I can’t believe it when other people see this and don’t do it for themselves, It seems obvious and easy to me!!
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Thanks Linda for noticing my attention to detail with the hangers. It does make practical sense to us to have the hangers sorted like this. And visually it is appealing because of the streamlining effect.
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