Started On a Mission
By worldwise1
@worldwise1 (14885)
United States
October 18, 2007 2:50pm CST
I started on a mission today-to declutter my apartment. The amount of clutter has finally gotten to be more than I can live with. I started with magazines and catalogs that I have accumulated over the last year. I am also in the process of weeding out a lot of writing material that I have held onto for 20 or more years. Much of it will have to go. Next will be my beloved books. I always feel devastated when I have to get rid of books. It used to be that I could pass them on to family members and friends, but I have found that hardly anybody reads anymore. I could donate them to an organization, but I don't have any means of transporting them. I would accept suggestions if any of you has one.
4 people like this
9 responses
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
19 Oct 07
I went through the same ordeal recently. After moving several times and carting junk I have kept around for what seems like decades, I got rid of much of it and kept only the most important things. It is not so easy, but well worth the effort to lighten the load. Less junk equals less to be concerned about, I think.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
28 Oct 07
I agree that we could all use a little more breathing room, sigma, and I am beginning to see favorable results already.
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
19 Oct 07
You could try contacting some of the charity organisations and ask if they can collect. A lot of the UK charities can organise a collection of things you can't transport yourself. Books and magazines might be useful at your local hospital perhaps.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
28 Oct 07
Most everyone wants you to transport them, recycledgoth, and I do not drive. It would end up costing me money to get rid of them. I might just end up taking them all down to the community room in my building and see we happens.
@SViswan (12051)
• India
19 Oct 07
I hate getting rid of my books. But I had a few engineering books that weren't being used and I donated it to a college library. They offered to come and pick it up if I couldn't find a student who stayed near by. I'm sure if talk to the organizations that you wish to donate it to, they will transport it themselves. After all you are doing them a favour and they are saving money.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
28 Oct 07
I guess I'll just have to keep trying, SViswan. If I were a bit more organized maybe the task wouldn't seem so hard.
@GardenGerty (157554)
• United States
19 Oct 07
Perhaps if you called the library and adult literacy group would be interested enough to pick them up. Or a homeless shelter, or a nursing home activities departmet. Other than that, I am not much help. I need to declutter more than one years worth.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
28 Oct 07
It's a vicious circle, GG. Soon as I think I've gotten enough clutter out of the way, more just begins to pile up, lol.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
19 Oct 07
1)Libraries usually have book fairs several times a year - you can donate the books to your local public library.
2)Sell them on Ebay for some extra $$.
3)Mooch them on bookmooch or paperbackswap i think its called (but the cost is on you to send it to those who are interested in mooching the book from you). You earn points and then can mooch from others who have signed up too.
4) Goodwill perhaps?
5) Sell them to us on mylot LOL Lots of avid readers on here haha!
Good luck with the decluttering!
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
28 Oct 07
Yeah, maddysmommy, maybe I'll just have a book sale exclusive to myLot members, lol.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
28 Oct 07
Every solution I can think of seems just too much trouble, Aurone. I could donate them locally, but most want you to bring them in. I don't have transportation and am not about to pay someone to take me to give away my books!
@cblackink (969)
• United States
18 Oct 07
De-cluttering is SO therapeutic! I always feel better when I cart a load of stuff off to give to the local Goodwill or Salvation Army, or in some cases, into the garbage. In our area, Goodwill will come pick up stuff. How sad that you don't know anyone who would read the books. I still read almost every single day, although I'm losing interest in most fiction and am more interested in spiritual/philosophical/religious books.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
18 Oct 07
I have never met a book I didn't like, cblackink, and I do not understand people who say that they do not read. It is the one activity that gives me so much pleasure over and over. I always tell myself that I can read when I can't do anything else.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
18 Oct 07
I had forgotten all about the Salvation Army, naty, and I will ask around regarding the Senior Center. Thanks for your suggestions.
@brookehaun (233)
• United States
28 Oct 07
I hang onto most of my items i buy! I get really attatched, and hate letting go. But recently I have started using ebay to get rid of all of my clutter!! It's great you get money, someone else gets items, and you can get postage and boxes sent to you for free!! You could pretty much do it all from home!
