Survey #280 results
| Name (click to view full survey response and comments) | Express your gratitude for something in your home that you plan to keep indefinitely. How does this item support the life you love? | Describe someone or something that has helped you on your decluttering and organizing journey. This may be an idea, a story, a person, a book, a resource, etc. | Describe something that you’re grateful for having been able to declutter and release from your life. | Identify something in your space for which you feel grateful, but which you’d consider releasing so that someone else can enjoy and appreciate it. |
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| Evelin | Actually I can't think of anything as everything gets used up, worn off, etc... maybe some old photos (that are more than 120 years old) as they can't be replaced. | the internet really! 😅 minimalism minimalism and organizing blogs, the clutter fairy,.... other YouTube channels like Shannon Torrens, Clutterbug, the Minimal Mom, ....etc. | old clothes I didn't like anyway | |
| Peggy | My Living Bible supports my efforts to learn to know God better, increasing my faith. | One of the first websites that encouraged me was 365 Less Things. I believe it is inactive now but still available for readers. There were many funny and encouraging comments by readers. I am now following all episodes of The Clutter Fairy of course! | Certain negative emotions come to mind. As for physical clutter, my husband and I finally decided to eliminate the side pieces holding up our stand mirror. These pieces were always wobbly and recently tilted toward me while I was cleaning, causing a jammed finger. My husband was able to find a simple board with a groove in it that has been holding the 37lb mirror in place for a few weeks now. | We have a table that we bought decades ago but I decided I no longer wanted it in the bedroom (too big and heavy for me to move for cleaning). The table went out to the patio instead, for the critters protection from rain while eating. I think at some point the table will make its way into the trash but at least it will be useful until it falls apart. |
| Suzanne | I am grateful to have a desk my father built when he was 18. It reminds me him but also of some values we shared in life. Plus it’s a useful piece of furniture even if doesn’t go with anything, to an outsider. | I’m grateful for the feeling of Hope which is always present in some measure. I’m also grateful that my city picks up recycling from my home on a weekly basis and that there are charity shops nearby, as well as bins for textile clothing and footwear donations. Their mere presence help me along my decluttering journey. | I’m grateful for having been able to release a 24 volume cookbook collection that just wasn’t right for me. It was a gift that a significant other thought I would love; I loved the generosity and the gesture but I couldn’t use it or love it even after 2-3 decades. | It’s funny. I think I could actually release an awful lot of things that I enjoy and use if someone said oh I would love to have this. So far I have said, I’ll let my sons know for when I’m dead though they get first pick, for 3-4 items (nothing I have is pricey$$$) |
| Becky | My dining room table and chairs. I love that I can have family and friends over for simple meals and lots of laughter. It is a reminder that the people I care about are the most important "things" I have in my life. | I have a close friend who is willing to recognize what is just "stuff" and what might be truly important. She has no skin in the game and doesn't try to talk me into keeping things which I have found is actually unusual. | My late husband's collection of wooden animals. I kept 2 that have a lot of meaning to us as a couple, but have been able to donate the rest | My remaining DVD collection. I got rid of most but kept some of my favorite movies. Interestingly I haven't watched any of them in years. Maybe time to let go of????? |
| Alana | my bicycle - exercise pottery made by sister - cup and bowl utility and art | my son who sat me on the porch a beautiful spring day and said for you - homeschool boxes. No judgement the gift of time and going along side me senior reset - youtube. Honors a life well lived full of memories | double spices big pieces of furniture and extra vehicle | extra of anything - bedding, dishes, clothing |
| Anonymous user | I plan to keep my computer, which was a gift from a dear relative, now gone, who gave it to me so that I could someone with a huge project. I now also help two other people as well. In addition, the computer serves as my link to the outside world, where I have made and maintained some long-distance friendships. | Some of the ideas in Don Aslett's book, Clutter's Last Stand, scared the wits out of me with such, as I remember, of using patterned curtains instead of artwork, no throw rugs, and his throwing away a tool used by his grandparent. However, the cartoons in the book had a powerful impact on me, cleverly illustrating the situations one causes by hanging onto clutter. | I can't think of being grateful for releasing a piece of property , but I am grateful that I walked away from some very mean people with whom I socialized every week. I missed the social life at first, but in a few weeks, I found better ways to spend my time. | I have a piece of furniture that is not my style but which is also the only comfortable place I have to rest. Every time I pass it or use it, I wish that it fit the size and look of my space. If someone loved the style and needed it, I would be happy to give it to them. |
| Sandra | I know I should say something cute, but I wouldn't live again without a dishwasher... | My mom helped her uncle move out of the house he had shared for some 45 years years with his wife, her beloved aunt, who had passed away too quickly due to cancer. Because of disability combined with grief, my great-uncle was unable to deal with all the contents of their house before moving to an assisted living facility. Just clearing out the basement, with her sister to help, took my mom 3 months. That was a wake-up call for a lot of people in the family. We all learned a lot about not keeping everything. | I keep a list and I must say: EVERYTHING that went out. | Some clothes that sort of fit but not really. |
| Ellen in W Michigan | My (now) small collection of favorite kids' books. It brings back memories of sharing those stories with my kids and is a conversation starter with my grand-kids and some visitors. I've cut my CD collection by more than half, but don't plan to go any further for some time. It's a very eclectic collection and much of it is no longer available anywhere. I live alone now, so I can blast music and sing along while I cook or do dishes with no one to object. | For many years, I read and watched all sorts of material on decluttering and organizing, but I finally found what works for me and stick to that. I read Dana K White's blog from the beginning and watched the Clutter Fairy from when the sound was bad. Dana's methods really work for me and Gayle's information helps me to think through reasons and methods in new ways that make hard things easier. With these two sources, I finally feel like I have my space where I want it. (Well, maybe the paperwork could use some help!) | 12 bookcases of books. I love books, but can no longer read like I used to. I now have a great room and I am glad not to have every wall covered in bookcases and every corner filled with boxes of books. I limit myself to one bookcase for books and one for games and photo albums. | My lawn chair that I haven't used in three years. My folding wagon that I haven't used in a year. My microscope. It is a good quality, hasn't been used in years, but I don't want to see it abused. The lawn chair and wagon might come in handy on occasion, but I have no purpose for the microscope. |
| Johanna | I plan to keep my sewing machine (1953 Bernina Record inherited from my mom) and my crafting supplies and tools (knitting needles, scissors, fabric...) for as long as I am able to enjoy using them. I thought I was way too attached to all my belongings, but after thinking long and hard about this question I realise that I can let go of things that I will never use or enjoy again. I won't be able to take anything with me when I die anyway, so why hang on to stuff that is only a burden. | The clutter fairy and the clutter fairy's little helper Ed of course! Also Mari Kondo in a huge way. When I left my husband, I moved from a 1100 ft apartment into a 110 ft (yes, shoebox) apartment in an attic. I hat to get rid of 90% of my things, and the Konmari method helped me decide on what to keep. I could not have done this huge adjustment so painlessly without it. I especially love it because it applies to anyone in any life circumstances. | When I moved into the tiny shoebox apartment, I had to let go of so many craft supplies and fabrics that I had curated over the years. I gave them to a preschool/kindergarten and the kids were over the moon! They used all of it and I still have more than I could ever use. An episode of the clutter fairy podcast inspired me to let go of a lot of UFOs without feeling guilty but learning from the experience. So much lighter without them! I also apply the Konmari method to people now. If they don't spark joy I release them from my life. I always try to do it in a nice way, except for my ex husband. Very grateful for having released him... | Pretty much anything that is just a backup. I just gave a bed frame that is only used as a guest bed to a friend who is moving into her first apartment. She will use it every day, I never have guests. |
| Judy | My bed--it's very comfortable, still looks good, and all my sheets fit it! | Clutter Fairy (now), abd Fly Lady (earlier) | a sofa bed | tools from by Dad |
| Danetta | Most important is my husband. Next are photos and momentos of my family. I have many wonderful and beautiful things but they are replaceable with other wonderful and beautiful things. | I’m grateful for my husband’s patience. I hired an organizer to help with papers in bags and boxes, but it was an agonizing process that I never wanted to repeat. Little by little and revisiting previously decluttered piles and folders works best for me. I’m slower but I don’t just file papers; I have time to think about and discard papers as well. I have read almost every book and listened to almost every podcast on decluttering. They were helpful but perhaps the most helpful was just getting older and realizing that the time for some potential interests and hobbies had passed. Giving up multipotentiality was hard for me but I am a realist. | I guess there’s not one particular thing. It’s just the excess candleholders, excess wine glasses, excess shoes, excess bedding. I kept my favorites and released the rest so I have more breathing room and easier housekeeping. | I have a couple of over-sized pieces of furniture that do not function as well as I had hoped. I’ve used them for years but I am ready to give them away and buy smaller solutions. |
| Lela | I have two tiny ceramic chickens my mother made as a child in her brownie group, which always used to sit on a shelf above my grandmother’s TV. I also have a picture my mom embroidered for me when I was a baby. I display them on a shelf in my living room, and they make me feel loved, blessed, and thankful. | My mother and I are a dynamic decluttering duo. It’s dangerous to leave the two of us alone in one of our houses. Lol | Multiple SUV loads of items from a toxic, narcissistic relative who lived with us for two decades and has since passed away. I have entered a more peaceful chapter of my life now with a lot less stress and a lot less physical stuff. A low maintenance lifestyle is my goal. | That would be about half the stuff I own. |
| Celina | Soap & running water - wash, warm me up and relax me | Clutter fairy podcasts when I have to clean my house and focus with Gayle & Ed on my headphones . My mum who's storing patiently my college books and dolls for sale/flipping (Ill pick something up from her in 2 weeks when I go to visit her), my sister when she lived with me and questioned my 'keep' choices, my male cousin who has been accompanying me in my slow decluttering journey (his mom is a hoarder - it runs in the family). so we are like accountability buddies who share our small successes of decluttering. | old furniture that i had in my tiny flat when I moved in here. | some of my dolls and their clothes. |
| Sara | I have a bunch of cool glass jars from when my grandma passed away. They're useful and I get to be reminded of her daily! | The clutter fairy!!! Also dana k white and the clutterbug podcast. All work together to be supportive from multiple angles! | Just released some sweatpants from high school after realizing something was weird with the elastic and no one was ever going to wear them again. | I got a cool vintage lamp but really don't have space for it |
| Cee | Secretary desk, as I declutter it offers the right amount of organization and workspace for monthly work. Best part I can close it and paperwork is out of site( Peaceful). I would only need one or two storage bins for items not needed on a regular basis. | Clutter Fairy and Peter Walsh ("Let it Go") I'm inspired to only keep what is necessary as well as items dear to me without being a minimunist. That which I enjoy won't be crowded out by unnecessary stuff. | About 90% of items and paperwork from deceased relatives. Also began to get great deal my old paperwork out and control what comes in with new system for incoming paper. I'm able to still work told stuff without adding to the old. Old is now dealing with small items and sentimental clutter | Electronics and clothing I like but haven't worn in a while. |
| Linda C. | Spiritual items (crosses, icons, paintings) collected from travels, relatives and friends over my 78 years. | Dana K. White, Marie Kondo, Clutter Fairy, utube videos, my Aunt Fina. | Clothes that I gave to a women's homeless shelter. | Excess furniture, my mother's China, books. |
| Carla | As long as I can read and hear: the photos and recordings of my son and grandsons. | I'm grateful to you, but I also like the "space maker" April. She shows how it really is when decluttering. | All the things that belonged to our pets. Now people who cannot afford to buy things like that can have them from the shelter I donated them to. | My books, my tablecloths made by my grandmother, my special dish sets. |
| C | Probably photo albums, paper based address book, the teddy I had as a toddler. | Found a psychologist Nena Lavonne on YouTube who also has ADHD and she has short videos on decluttering challenges. | Little by little material for crafts and some of my creative works. | A lot of the paintings that I have inherited. I like to find people who would appreciate them. Same with many of the plants. |
| Barbara | Small angel collection. They give me pleasure every time I look at them. | Next to the Clutter Fairy, Shannon Torrens' decluttering suggestions on YouTube are very helpful. I especially enjoy seeing her help her mother declutter. | I've decluttered many of my clothes and have donated them to a free store at my church. I still have a long way to go! | I'm grateful for the cedar chest my grandma left me, but I'm happy to release it to my sister. |
| Becky | I am thankful for a table that we purchased last year for our new home. It is a user friendly cluttered kitchen table. We sit here everyday with our grandchildren and do a myriad of things- including sitting in poppys lap to watch videos, eating meals, doing homework, art projects, and prayers together. It is getting dirty as we have toddlers, but life is good and the table can be cleaned. | We moved closer to our kids, retiring from a stressful job, to be able to help them with child care. We sold a home and were able to downsize from multiple items, including 2 old boats. I am thankful for our youngest son who helped us sell the boats on Marketplace, as well as helping clean them, buy a trailer for one of them, moving them , dealing with the buyers, etc. we are beyond blessed to have had his help. | So much!!! And more to go!!! Selling a home and moving provides many opportunities to declutter items. Selling a home with a larger yard filled with oak trees that were constantly dropping limbs, a yard that constantly needed attention or the water system that needed attention, or replacement of aging appliances and hvac. That is a blessing to have smaller yard with a home with new appliances. TIME is more precious to us and moving has been such a blessing for us to be able to care for our grandchildren. | Books- but I love to read and want books in my life. I have donated many items to a theift shop and am thankful that they will be reused by someone who needs them Pots and pans Dish wear Clothing - our next area will be professional clothing- time to pass on. |
| Terrssmarie | My race shirts and trophies from sup racing. I remember the challenges leading to winning against all odds. Seeing them makes me live the period again and again. | Gail and Ed Different you tubes on minimal living. | My mom’s old gold Cadillac. Everything in the home. Stuck still in garage with boxes of papers and stuff from deceased people. My home slowly has been reflected to be te way I wanted it . The overwhelm was too much to catch up and now happy to say almost finished. I have time for te true reason I am living my lifestyle and why I can change my amount of chore if I want. It seems my mind is clearer and my goals more likely to be accomplished. I have had stops and setbacks for various reason however these lessons have helped me more than I can describe. Thanks | Not much now hahah. Perhaps a guitar or two and downsize the book collection. |
| Kathy | The colored sketch my husband did in college. I framed it after he passed away it gives me a part of a loss connection we no longer have. | Clutter fairy, time has lead from u tube, Facebook and now zoom. Thankful for weekly inspiration indoors and outdoors. | Complete sets of crystal queen annes lace and nortake dishes. Seeing a need and putting together care pkgs. to fill those gaps. | Too many gift bags, too many totes with linens and cloths, too many clothing pieces, I look around and have plenty for my 70 plus years. |
| Lise | Nothing indefinite. | The main thing that has helped in decluttering is a feeling or the need for lightness. I will feel (or sense) that there is just too much - I need space and air to mentally breathe. | Last year I donated our artificial Christmas tree which was very difficult to release (wonderful memories). I was grateful the manager at Good Will was willing to listen to the tree's story to pass on to the next owner. | An armoire that currently has office items, printer, shredder, wifi, and supplies. It works currently however, I would like to make plans to rehouse items down the road. |
| Noreen | Statue my grandmother had of an Irish policeman. My mother kept it when she died and my mom's sister kept it when my mom passed away. My aunt, the last survivng member of that side of the family passed 2 years ago and my cousins saved it for me. Makes me smile each time I see it. | Clutter Fairy as well as the Marie Kondo book. | Old family pictures of people I never knew. | Some furniture I ended up with when my Mom passed. It is just taking up space in the garage and I don't need it. |
| The Maggs | I have a few stuffed animals I have had since I was a baby. They were given to me by family members who have all passed. I plan to keep them forever as they remind me of the love that was given to me as a baby. I currently have them displayed in my bedroom so that I can appreciate them every day. | What has really helped me in the decluttering process is moving. I recently retired and moved shortly after. Went from 1 big house to 2 smaller houses. Started going through everything well before moving which was so helpful in reducing what was no longer needed and did not want to move. Now I have 2 houses that are very manageable and clutter free. I now am able to enjoy the empty spaces in both houses. | During the declutterring moving process, I decluttered a lot of old high school things that I had kept. I declutterred all of my high school year books and insignificant other papers which I did not want to move. Was a relief to let that all go. | I have 2 old dolls that were from my grandmother. I am considering letting them go so that someone else could appreciate them. I was grateful to receive them from her, and have displayed them in my house. But now feel like they could go to a new home and be appreciated by someone else. |
| Name (click to view full survey response and comments) | Express your gratitude for something in your home that you plan to keep indefinitely. How does this item support the life you love? | Describe someone or something that has helped you on your decluttering and organizing journey. This may be an idea, a story, a person, a book, a resource, etc. | Describe something that you’re grateful for having been able to declutter and release from your life. | Identify something in your space for which you feel grateful, but which you’d consider releasing so that someone else can enjoy and appreciate it. |
