Sorting through 40 years of stuff

[Suleean]

 I never realized how much stuff I have accumulated in 40 years. Now the task of sorting through it all. 
Looking at trading my car in and getting a van so I can get out on the road by spring.
Oh, but the sorting. I really don't have furniture. Just things.
Words of encouragement would be great. I'm quite overwhelmed.

[bullfrog]

You can choose to leave this world the way you came into it, your just getting ready!

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Suleean to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.

Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.

We look forward to hearing more from you.

I understand just keep at it. it takes awhile but you can do it.

highdesertranger

[CityWoman]

 I never realized how much stuff I have accumulated in 40 years. Now the task of sorting through it all. . . . I'm quite overwhelmed.

Me too! All I know is, it's easy to feel overwhelmed when we look at everything we need to do. But it becomes manageable when we focus on one small part of it.

About a week and a half ago, I sorted through a box of... old floppy disks - can you believe it?
They were mine and my ex-husband's (he moved out 9 years ago). Being who I am, I had to check them for any files with confidential info, documents or images I may want to keep, etc. It took me a day and a half - and afterwards I threw them all out. I estimate there were about 300.

Now, when I sit back and look at my apartment, that barely made a dent. But it's very satisfying to know I got it done. That box of floppies taunted me for years and years, but now it's gone and I'm one step closer.

Just pick a small project and start. I'm the world's greatest procrastinator, but I know I can do this when I set my mind to it. And you can, too.

(This post was last modified: 08-16-2019, 08:55 AM by CityWoman.)

[waldenbound]

Hey, I’ll help you sort.

1. Family and friends
2. Goodwill and Salvation Army
3. County landfill

Keep a small camp stove, bathroom bucket, clothes, electronics, two pans for cooking, kettle, bowl, plate, knife, fork, and spoon.

There, all done!

[MrNoodly]

I never realized how much stuff I have accumulated

If we're not aware all that stuff existed, then it's essentially already gone from our lives.

I've been in my van for six years. About twice a year I give myself a little test. Can I name everything in that bin, bag or cupboard? If not, then I've forgotten I have it, so, in my mind, it no longer exists and I probably don't need it. I have about a third of what I started with.

[B and C]

We spend most of our lives accumulating stuff and the rest trying to get rid of it.

[Qxxx]

Suleean, you might think about renting a small storage unit, at least temporarily. Put the stuff in there it's most difficult to part with, and or those things you want to keep but don't want to drag along on the road. Papers, books, mementos, etc. Since you have no furniture, make it a small 5'x5' unit which can actually hold quite a bit, and start moving in the highest-priority stuff first.

Lots of time between now and spring to settle things. Then go on the road. Once year come back, and toss out more stuff. One step at a time. Have fun.

(This post was last modified: 08-16-2019, 12:06 PM by Qxxx.)

[MrNoodly]

Suleean, you might think about renting a small storage unit... Once year come back, and toss out more stuff. One step at a time.

Sort of pulling the bandage off slowly instead of ripping it off quickly. Either way, the point is to get rid of the bandage.

[Qxxx]

Sort of pulling the bandage off slowly instead of ripping it off quickly. Either way, the point is to get rid of the bandage.

A total change of life style after an entire lifetime in S&B is very tough business. Breaking the grip the marketers have on you is tough. Buy me, buy me, buy me. Working in stages is easier than going total cold turkey. Also, if you still retain a bit of "attachment" to the old ways, you won't feel so much like you stepped off a cliff when you get in the van to leave.

This being said by a "part timer" who lives in an apartment 2/3 of the time, LOL. My plan however is to have only 10 books left when I die, versus the many hundreds I have today. I acquired those to read after I retired, so that's still plan #1. Going on the road helps a lot because I read more since there are fewer distractions like at home. It's all a process.