VanDweller Community Forums

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Forums
  • Gatherings
  • Store
  • Find a Campsite
    • Arizona
      • Moving Camp to Cottonwood, AZ
      • Camping in Quartzsite, Arizona
      • Gorgeous Camp near Wickenburg, Arizona
  • How To Articles
    • How to Choose a Vehicle
    • How to Stay in Touch
    • Cooking and Meal Suggestions
    • Simple Kitchen Tips
    • Staying Clean
    • Laundry in Five-Gallon Buckets
    • Getting Rid of Stuff
    • Toilet Options for Van Living
    • Living on the Road with Pets
    • Staying Healthy & Fit
    • Safety for the Solo Traveler
    • Homesteading for Vandwellers
  • Electrical
    • How to Have Electricity
    • Cheap & Easy Ways to Get Electricity
    • Installing a Cigarette Lighter Plug
    • Installing an LED Light
  • Heat & Cold
    • Dealing with Heat and Cold
    • Warm in Winter/Cool in Summer
  • Solar and Wind
    • Basics of Solar Power
    • Solar Power Demystified
    • How to Install Solar Panels
    • Installing Flexible Solar Panels
    • Solar Panels on a Fiberglass Roof
    • Installing a Wind Generator
    • Solar Hot Water & Electricity
    • Stealth Solar
    • Cooking with a Solar Oven
  • Van Conversions
    • How to Live in a Conversion Van
    • Converting an Astro Mini-Van
    • Living in an Ambulance
    • Living in a Class B
    • Living in a Pop-Top Class B
    • Dodge Sprinter Conversion
    • A Couple in a Van
    • Living in a VW Vanagon
    • Family Vandwellers in a VW Westfalia
    • Easy Van Conversion
    • Inspiration: Charlene’s Story
    • European Vandweller
    • Steve’s Van Conversion
    • Dodge High-Top Conversion
  • Other Conversions
    • Living Out of a Prius
    • Living in a Boat
    • Full-Size SUV Conversion
    • Living in a Converted Cargo Trailer
    • Build Your Own Camper
    • How I Lived in a Bus
    • How to Live in a Ford Festiva
    • How to Install a High Top
    • Stealth Cargo Trailer
    • Ingenious Camper Shell
    • Living in a Step-Van
    • Survivalist Truck Dweller
  • Money
    • How to Make and Budget Money
    • Money Matters
    • Workamping
  • Philosophy
    • The Two Million-Year-Old Man
    • Embracing Minimalism
    • Needs vs. Comfort vs. Luxury
    • Finding True Freedom
    • Gaia Theory
    • Why Vandwelling is Greener
    • Understanding Carbon Footprint
    • Quotes to Inspire You
    • Christmas Dinner 2013
  • Adventure
    • Live For NOW–Not Tomorrow
    • Say “YES” to Adventure
    • Say “YES” to Adventure: I Skydive
  • Boondocking and Stealth Parking
    • Dispersed Camping On Public Land
    • Living/Camping on Public Land
    • How to Live Off-Grid in Cities
    • Where To Stealth Park
    • Tent Living Off-Grid
    • Exploring Slab City
    • Dry Camping in an RV
    • Tent Living in the Desert
    • Boondocking

  • View New Posts
  • View Today's Posts
  • Search
  • Misc
    • Portal
    • Member
    • View Forum Rules
    • Help Docs
Login or Register Hello There, Guest! Please Login or Register to gain Full Access!
Login
Username:
Password: Lost Password?
 
    Forum
  1. VanDweller Community Forums
  2. Site and Forum Help
  3. Newcomer's Corner
  4. Sorting through 40 years of stuff
Pages (4): 1 2 3 4 Next »

Thread Modes
Sorting through 40 years of stuff
Suleean
Member
***
Posts: 2
Threads: 1
Thanks Received: 2 in 1 posts
Thanks Given: 0
Joined: Aug 2019
Reputation: 0
#1
08-16-2019, 04:27 AM
Confused 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.
[+]
  •
Find
Reply
bullfrog
Posting Freak
****
Posts: 3,012
Threads: 4
Thanks Received: 448 in 310 posts
Thanks Given: 468
Joined: May 2016
Reputation: 87
#2
08-16-2019, 06:04 AM
You can choose to leave this world the way you came into it, your just getting ready!
[+]
  •
Find
Reply
highdesertranger
Stupid Moderator
******
Posts: 19,741
Threads: 244
Thanks Received: 1,245 in 867 posts
Thanks Given: 935
Joined: Apr 2012
Reputation: 438
#3
08-16-2019, 06:42 AM
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
[+]
  •
Find
Reply
CityWoman
Posting Freak
****
Posts: 345
Threads: 17
Thanks Received: 58 in 39 posts
Thanks Given: 38
Joined: Dec 2016
Reputation: 6
#4
08-16-2019, 08:52 AM
(08-16-2019, 04:27 AM)Suleean Wrote:  Confused 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.)



"Instead of thinking outside the box, get rid of the box."
~Deepak Chopra
[+]
  •
Find
Reply
waldenbound
Impatiently waiting...
****
Posts: 665
Threads: 40
Thanks Received: 20 in 15 posts
Thanks Given: 1
Joined: Mar 2015
Reputation: 11
#5
08-16-2019, 09:21 AM
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!

“Who has not felt the urge to throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence." -John Muir
[+] The following 1 user says Thank You to waldenbound for this post:1 user says Thank You to waldenbound for this post
  • mert3957
Find
Reply
MrNoodly
Posting Freak
****
Posts: 3,993
Threads: 186
Thanks Received: 395 in 259 posts
Thanks Given: 24
Joined: Dec 2012
Reputation: 114
#6
08-16-2019, 09:30 AM
(08-16-2019, 04:27 AM)Suleean Wrote:  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.

Someone wanted me to put this here: http://rollingsteeltent.blogspot.com/
[+] The following 2 users say Thank You to MrNoodly for this post:2 users say Thank You to MrNoodly for this post
  • KetoKyz, heartseed
Find
Reply
B and C
Stuck near Houston = No fun
****
Posts: 3,865
Threads: 16
Thanks Received: 527 in 427 posts
Thanks Given: 59
Joined: Dec 2014
Reputation: 106
#7
08-16-2019, 11:43 AM
We spend most of our lives accumulating stuff and the rest trying to get rid of it.

Brian

2000 Roadtrek 200 Versatile "The Beast" (it has been tamed hopefully)  I feed it and it doesn't bite me.
[+]
  •
Find
Reply
Qxxx
---
****
Posts: 969
Threads: 20
Thanks Received: 423 in 339 posts
Thanks Given: 131
Joined: Feb 2019
Reputation: 10
#8
08-16-2019, 12:05 PM
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.)

The guy what meant to register as Zzyzx, but who forgot how to spell it.
[+] The following 4 users say Thank You to Qxxx for this post:4 users say Thank You to Qxxx for this post
  • SheketEchad, wayne49, mert3957, heartseed
Find
Reply
MrNoodly
Posting Freak
****
Posts: 3,993
Threads: 186
Thanks Received: 395 in 259 posts
Thanks Given: 24
Joined: Dec 2012
Reputation: 114
#9
08-16-2019, 01:02 PM
(08-16-2019, 12:05 PM)Qxxx Wrote:  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.

Someone wanted me to put this here: http://rollingsteeltent.blogspot.com/
[+]
  •
Find
Reply
Qxxx
---
****
Posts: 969
Threads: 20
Thanks Received: 423 in 339 posts
Thanks Given: 131
Joined: Feb 2019
Reputation: 10
#10
08-16-2019, 02:52 PM
(08-16-2019, 01:02 PM)MrNoodly Wrote:  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.

The guy what meant to register as Zzyzx, but who forgot how to spell it.
[+] The following 1 user says Thank You to Qxxx for this post:1 user says Thank You to Qxxx for this post
  • heartseed
Find
Reply
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »

Pages (4): 1 2 3 4 Next »


  • View a Printable Version
  • Subscribe to this thread
Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)

About Our Community

We strive to maintain a safe space to ask questions, discuss relevant topics, and support each other. All are welcome, in a car, van or RV, including full-timers, part-timers, and those preparing for, or exploring the vandwelling lifestyle

Quick Links




Reach Us

Contact Us  Meet Our team

Powered By MyBB. Crafted by EreeCorp.
Linear Mode
Threaded Mode