I was renovating the house I was moving into while packing and cleaning and downsizing my old apartment and.... just for kicks.... helping my mom get ready to move into the new house with us.

Never do more than one hour of anything at a time. One hour "on", one hour "off".

Downsizing.... my rule is: "If it was in a box or in a closet or an attic for a year and I didn't use it or need it or wear it, it goes." I clean out once a year that way. It's hard, because I hate giving up my Christmas stuff but if I haven't used it for decorating for a few years? It can go. Haven't worn itor it's one of those items that "I hope I fit it again someday"? Gone. And thanks to Kindle, I don't have to hold onto so many hard copy books. *whew*....

Can you cut back on cookware, dishes? Will you have ot worry about furniture? B/c I know Goodwill here will come pick it up from you and that saves a ton of hassle. Also, some veterans organizations and other places that help people trying to get a new start after a fire or similar, they'll com epick up anything like extra dishes or Tupperware or even clean used linens....

That said, I am not big on sentimental attachment to objects. So I'm a big fan of living minimal if I can.

Another tip that might work is to not pack *big* boxes. I must've had a gazillion small ones, but it was soooo much easier that way--- No one box was "heavy".

Oh, and to move clothes, I just put my dresser drawers, clothing inside them, into kitchen trash bags, and taped it tight, and done. No pack-unpack on the dresser.

Hope someone else is more helpful, and good luck:-)

Great ideas here from Leo, as usual. I once sold everything that wouldn't fit into my little Le Car (remember those--tiny). I had thought it would bother me, but it didn't. I felt so light and free. Cleaning was a snap!

I had read this book, and old book, called Hanta Yo, which is Lokota Souix for "Get Out Of My Way". it seems that this particular tribe gave the highest honors to the tribe member who gave the most away! How cool is that? Gosh I love at idea. All the go get 'em types can gather as much as they like, but only get credit for it of they give it away. at one point, the man who later becomes the chief gives away every last thing he has, even all his clothes. he lives alone in the wilderness as a way of proving himself as a warrior. What great inspiration.
also, a couple of weeks ago, a Facebook friend challenged me to participate in her new issue, posting three things for,which I am grateful, for five days on a row. it was amazing. I think of myself as a grateful person, but this opened my eyes.
last thing that might help you to let go...I spent three months backpacking all over the Western US. When you carry everything you own on your back, you get a real idea of what's important.

Otherwise, Ditto Leo....

I know Marsha. I did a lot of backpacking in Europe and kept trying to make it lighter. I'll be fine with less stuff. It's the getting rid of it that is difficult.. And I would like to sell what might be worth something. It's the getting from here to there with my problems with pain and fatigue that is so overwhelming. But I like Leo's ideas. That's a great idea to take drawers separately. I'll try to sell what I can but ultimately, I'll be giving a lot away, too.

Hi Ann,

I regularly use a consignment store., especially for furniture. Check out to see if there are any close to you.

What do you think about organizing items into 'lots' and advertising on Craigslist? You could decide in advance what you would like to get, they could pick it up from you, Cutting down on traveling and lugging on your part. When I have had anyone come to my house, I have had my husband or a friend present. Sometimes I've arranged meetups, too.

Just a thought.

1. Sell on Facebook Garage Sale and Varage Sale. I've sold hundreds of dollars on there.
2. Have 4 boxes going at all times. Keep, donation, give back to library or friends, and sell. Take a pic of item, then place in box. Mark date on box. If it doesn't sell within a few weeks or so, donate the box. Soon as box is full, take it out of the house or near the door.
3. Cut C handles in each box. A little time now saves your back and your enlisted friends will love you.
4. Use extra duct tape or packing tape and retake bottoms of boxes.
5. Label every box, or if time, take a photo, print out and tape to each box. I mark in felt: kitchen (blue felt),bedroom (red) etc. then write "white dishes, green mugs etc. You could number the boxes instead and then do a master list too.
6. Use cloth bags for heavier books and food.
7. Have a tote for important things like medications, remotes, jewelry, phone book, bottled water, TP, phones etc.
8. Get blank newspaper roll ends and use that instead of newspapers, much cleaner and are usually free.

Good ones all above, and my mother, who downsized from a farm to a one-bedroom apartment, reminded me of the re-taping bottoms of boxes (ye heavens, yes!)....

When sorting, I always had a big bin labeled "Not sure". 80 percent of which was donated. (I'd sell but, long story, it's against my personal ethic. Sell all you can, I'm a donation nut is all!)

Also, yep, use color codes for boxes as well as labels. Construction paper works great for this, as it's cheap at the dollar store.... Green means GOING WITH ME and red means NOT GOING WITH ME. You can pin it to furniture too, and tell people "Red tag sale", LOL....

Office supply stores may also have big stickers reading things like FRAGILE, too. Tho' I would put on a yellow paper reading DROP IT YOU BUY ME NEW ONES. That also worked, LOL.

And yes, the drawers in the kitchen bags trick? OMG. Soooo nice to not have to pack/unpack dressers! *happydance* With FM? Big chore off list, and you'r enot living out of boxes or suitcases. Very psychologically empowering.

And if closet space will be an issue at new home? See if you can swap your To Sell stuff for a steamer trunk or footlocker. They fit into bottom of a wide closet, or can become a coffee table under a cloth, and poof, there's your storage.

I know it sounds wasteful but I use paper towels for packing. I stash them all in a box after unpacking, and then use them for cleaning.

Kinda loving this thread just on principle, so many great ideas! Must print and keep for future use!

Call an estate seller: not the large, auction house types, but medium sized businesses that sell your stuff for you. They organize it, advertise it, sell it and usually get 30%. The 30 is worth the work they do.

I tried one auctioneer earlier in the summer--not interested. Maybe I'll check other estate sellers. The less stress the better. If I can't find that, I see Craigslist not in garage sales. I'm not on Facebook.

Thanks for all the great ideas! Still a nervous wreck! but at least I have some ideas.

D---

I already took your advice about an auctioneer, and he is taking a fair amount.

Now I have a ton of clothes to dispose of. My weight used to fluctuate so much when I wasn't making much money that I became a clothes hoarder. And paper. I'm going to really just toss paper that I don't need. A big job.

I'll be using more ideas later.

And I don't know for sure if I'll even have a place to go in December.

Ann, you've been given really good ideas here. I have nothing to add, but I want you to know that I'm thinking of you and will say a prayer that things will all work out for you. Gentle hugs