Decluttering - would you throw this out?

[Rowellen]

I am in the process of a major declutter of our house. It is a very small house with limited storage and we are expecting our second baby (Hatchlet) any day now so we need to make room.

I found something that had been hiding in the wardrobe in Hatchlet's room. A calico teddy bear that I was given for my 21st (10 years ago ) that people could sign. I think I've looked at it twice since then. If I put it in the bin today, it will be collected on Friday and gone forever. The person who gave it to me lives interstate & I doubt they would even remember.

What do you think? Would you toss it?

[Charlotte91]

Sounds like you're nesting!!
I probably wouldn't throw it out. But then again, use this method.
Do I love it?
Do I want it?
Do I need it?

If you answer no to any of them, chuck it out.

[Bathsheba]

Are there fond memories associated with the person who gave it to you? is it signed? if it was plain i'd give it to an Op Shop because somebody else might value it. Could you give it a makeover so that it fits in with your decor and be valued by your child?

[~Ash~]

Sounds like you're nesting!!
I probably wouldn't throw it out. But then again, use this method.
Do I love it?
Do I want it?
Do I need it?

If you answer no to any of them, chuck it out.

I agree!
Sometimes it is really hard to be harsh when nesting lol because you are feeling all sentimental at the same time lol

[Rowellen]

I knew I could rely on BB for the answer! Thanks ladies. Yes I'm nesting big time ATM!

It will be going. I have photo's and one of those key/book things that people signed so I really don't need to keep it for sentimental reasons. I can't answer yes to wanting, loving or needing it. Unfortunately it has been signed so it won't be of any use to anyone else. I guess it's time to go.

[Fleur]

I have a tendency to hang onto stuff for sentimental reasons, then when I come across it years later I either get a thrill when I see it again, or I don't. If I don't get excited to see it, it goes.

[Astrid]

I now try and go by "if it got ruined, would I miss it or rejoice?" Well actually in my head I think "If a cat wee'd on it, would I?"

Had a lot of old school jumpers that mum kept (the queen of nostalgia clutter), they were stored in a foot rest. Anyone one of the cats wee'd on it. I was surprised that I felt happy about it, as it gave me a legitimate excuse to get rid of them. I was sad about the foot rest though.

[mummydreamer]

Are there fond memories associated with the person who gave it to you? is it signed? if it was plain i'd give it to an Op Shop because somebody else might value it.

i was going to say that ^^^^ if it's plain, i wouldn't throw it out, i'd give it away. but at the end of the day, if it's taking up space you need and you feel comfortable with getting rid of it, then do it. i could do with throwing some things away too that i keep 'clinging' too.....

[Liz]

Take photos of it and toss it But you are talking to a fellow nester here who is being RUTHLESS this time around! hahaha.

[jackrose]

I can see that you have already made up your mind on the teddy (I would have said goodbye to it too!) but I wanted to offer you this tip for de-cluttering.

I love Peter Walsh (It's all too much) For de-cluttering and his ideas to ask yourself when looking at something you are hanging onto helped me move out a lot of stuff I can't even remember now! You need to imagine the house you want to have and the life you want to live, then ask yourself does this *thing* enhance my life or contribute toward my ideal life/home?

I love that guideline!

[The[cookie]Doctor]

I have a box of stuff that is categorised as:

Miscellaneous junk that I wouldn't realise was missing if was gone but would possibly be devastated if i found out it was gone / don't have the heart to throw out.

These are the stand out things it contains! -
A plastercast from when I was 2 years old, lost so much weight it slipped off my leg!
The remnants of my baptism candle, all broken and horrid.
Most of my jewellery also lives in this box. Even though I dont ever wear it, I cant get it melted down or trade it because mum gave it. Some of it is utterly terrible but in the back of my mind is a little mum- voice chanting "don't doooo eeeeet".