Will I ever need this stuff again?

Newly_retired

I am trying to have a clear out but can't really bring myself to get rid of some of my stuff. I know it's for sentimental reasons really, but I do wonder, will I ever need this again, eg old teaching notes if I do some private tuition. ( I do have one private pupil). My instinct says I won't need it, my heart and my MSE head says I might!

kitschkitty

How many years have you had it? Can you thin it out rather than get rid of it all?

I was like that with all my course work from evening classes, some research was very interesting so I kept it, other stuff not very important so I finally managed to recycle it!

Errata

I still have my skis and boots in the loft ! No chance I'll ever use them again but can't bear to part with them :eek:

Put your paperwork in the loft - just in case

seven-day-weekend

If you haven't used it /looked at it for five years,just get rid.

A friend of mine was having to have a clear out as she was moving from an eight-bedroomed house into a three -bedroomed. She couldn't bring herself to throw anything away (things like her childrens' drawings/school reports etc from when they were little).

What she did was went out for the day and her daughter did it for her as she is not sentimental about these things.

My friend doesn't know from that day to this what her daughter threw away. So she hasn't missed anything.

Just get rid!

[Deleted User]

we did the big clearout 4 years ago and yes I too had teaching notes. Out they went as did lots of sentimental and/or useful stuff

It is definitely good for feng shui and it felt like a load off the shoulders

grit your teeth, do it and don`t look back

seven-day-weekend

My husband couldn't WAIT to get rid of his teaching notes!! ...along with all his ties, he no longer possesses one.

Gers

Can you scan the notes and save on your PC or a CD? I did that with my university notes/essays and dissertation as well as a huge pile of photographs that hadn't been looked at for years and years.

I reclaimed a lot of storage space, enjoyed looking at all the stuff once more and still kept a hold of the memories. Means that I still have them to look at if the thought ever comes, haven't had the urge yet in 6 months but I feel secure knowing they are accessible.

Newly_retired

Thanks for all the good ideas. What I've got is just a drop in the ocean compared with all that DH has got - two bedrooms (his study and DDs old room), garage, basement. He said to me "Now you know how I feel". We are definitely hoarders. My stuff is in my "study" ie smallest bedroom, so it does not really spill out anywhere else.
I'll have a think. I'll probably get rid of some more tomorrow and do it in stages. 7dayweekend, my daughter would get rid of EVERYTHING in our house. Maybe fortunately she doesn't live too near and has 2 small children so hasn't really got the chance to be ruthless with us. I feel I need to see what I am getting rid of, but I am sure I won't miss most of it.
BTW I'm amazed how neat my writing was, how hard I worked at Uni, how thoroughly etc. I need to keep some souvenirs! And that's before I start on the photos, letters, cataloguing CDs etc. not to mention the books.......
I'm sure you are right, kittie, I just have to do it and not look back. But it is so hard.

Casati

I was given the following advice when trying to downsize my books & University stuff

" You are getting rid of objects, not your knowledge and experience, you are making room for learning new things"

I have to say, it really helped me to sort the wheat from the chaff...

tealady

Hi. Just a thought. Do you have something in mind that you would really like to buy? (eg holiday, new kitchen). If you do you coud try motivating yourself to clear out some stuff by selling it. the cash can then go towards what you really want.
Hope this helps.

Mojisola

Be selective when you are throwing things out and save a few "useless" items - an old student union card, letters from relatives/friends, the bills from your weddings, etc. Your descendants will love you for it. Family historians treasure such items and your greatgrandchildren will feel they "know" you when looking at your stuff.