2026 Decluttering Thread

[disneysteve]

We're almost a month into the year and I hadn't started a new thread yet. Here we go.

Our decluttering efforts are ongoing, as always. Today, I went into the basement to get a couple of items I sold on ebay. While I was down there, I decided to do a bit of work. I cleared off one entire shelf of a shelving unit. Now we can start using it to store more ebay items. A few things went in the trash, a few got donated, and a few got put away elsewhere.

I had been thinking about buying another set of shelves but if I can clear off a few existing shelves, I can save myself the expense and not suck up more space with another set of shelves. There are definitely at least 2 or 3 more shelves that need to get cleared so I will have to remember to work on that.

[disneysteve]

Today, I went into the basement to get a couple of items I sold on ebay. While I was down there, I decided to do a bit of work. I cleared off one entire shelf of a shelving unit.

There are definitely at least 2 or 3 more shelves that need to get cleared so I will have to remember to work on that.

While this was fresh in my mind, I went back in the basement for something and decided to do some more decluttering. I cleaned off 2 more shelves and then was able to consolidate everything onto one of them (mostly my small power tools). That gave me one new empty shelf to work with for storage.

This is a big win for me today. Two new shelves to store our ebay stock, which is much needed space now that DD is selling also. I bought her a shelving unit which is in the family room but she's up to 40 listings so that is quickly filling up. A few of her larger items are already in the basement. Having 2 extra shelves to work with is great.

[Fishindude77]

My dad passed away in December so we've been going through all of his stuff, giving away to family, selling a few things, etc.
This is a major league decluttering project.

[disneysteve]

My dad passed away in December so we've been going through all of his stuff, giving away to family, selling a few things, etc.
This is a major league decluttering project.

Sorry for your loss. Yes, cleaning out stuff from a loved one is a particularly hard project because there is often a lot of emotion tied up with things too. It isn't just stuff. It's "his" stuff.

Having gone through this a few years back with my cousin's death, give yourself leeway to hang onto things that you aren't ready to let go of yet. I kept a few boxes of my cousin's things. Every few months, I went through those boxes again and each time got rid of a little more of it. It took 3 years or so to get rid of all of it except for a few select items that I decided to keep.

On the other hand, accept the fact that the things are just things. You aren't disrespecting his memory by letting go of the things. You don't need (and he likely wouldn't have wanted) to have your home get bogged down with all of his stuff. Keep what you can use. Keep items that have particular sentimental value to you. And get rid of everything else.

[Fishindude77]

Dad was into a lot of the same stuff I enjoy like hunting and fishing so lots of gear, clothing and supplies to distribute. I kept a couple guns and some fishing gear and gave the rest to family members and have been gradually distributing various gear to people that can use it.
Sold his vehicle and a couple big ticket items. His vehicle was 20 years old with 60k miles

Not too much I want. Already got the best from him having spent lots of time together, worked together, trips all over to hunt and fish, etc. Will need to get together with siblings and go through photographs, etc.

The realtor also does auctions, so whatever is left will be taken to his auction house and he takes a cut of whatever money it brings.

[ua_guy]

This thread inspired me to commit my first decluttering act of 2026. There was a big stack of paper, receipts, "do something with" documents -pile that was growing in my office since last summer. Nailed it. What's left is stuff I need to file, and when I do that, the filing cabinet is getting its first thinning of the year.

I did a needed exercise in my shop the other day: Consolidating and discarding partial bottles of automotive fluids. Stuff like brake fluid goes bad after you break the seal on the bottle, so I had a couple of expired, open bottles with just a little fluid left that needed to go. There were other little odds/ends of fluids that contribute to clutter, confusion, and fire hazard. The bottles were tossed after the fluids went in waste oil jugs for the recycler. I freed up space on my shelves and the inventory that remains is for the vehicles I currently own.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

My dad passed away in December so we've been going through all of his stuff, giving away to family, selling a few things, etc.
This is a major league decluttering project.

Sorry for your loss and it does force people to clean stuff up. I think the sentimental is the hardest thing to part wtih.

[srblanco7]

DW and I have been going rom by room (trying for a room a day) to get rid of outdated stuff. Took 6 bags of "work" clothing to the Rescue Mission last week. Also, donated about 50 books to a local lending library.

[disneysteve]

This is ebay-related but also falls into decluttering. I'm currently doing my best not to buy anything new to resell. I have so much stuff lying around the house that needs to get listed so I'm working on listing those things before I bring in more stuff. I won't pass up a screaming good deal, but I'm being far more selective with anything I buy. I've already reclaimed a good amount of space in our family room, which is where DD and I do our ebay work.

[ua_guy]

Digital decluttering happened this weekend. I replaced my 6 year old cell phone and used the opportunity to really go through it and clean stuff up. Went through and cleaned up all my login credentials and passwords, cleared out old text messages, files, and sorted photos. I back all that stuff up and try to go through it semi-regularly but had been a good year+ since I had done it last.

"Notification management" has become a necessary chore as well. I took the time to go through and mute notifications I don't want, reduce others, and prioritize some. I also set up the Do Not Disturb feature that iPhone has, only letting select contacts, notifications, ring or text through during certain hours.

I added additional email rules to eliminate repetitive clicks and deletions..

Definitely was worth the few hours of effort if you are feeling like I was, overwhelmed/annoyed by the sheer volume of data and interaction that comes with electronic devices.

[disneysteve]

Digital decluttering happened this weekend. I replaced my 6 year old cell phone and used the opportunity to really go through it and clean stuff up. Went through and cleaned up all my login credentials and passwords, cleared out old text messages, files, and sorted photos. I back all that stuff up and try to go through it semi-regularly but had been a good year+ since I had done it last.

"Notification management" has become a necessary chore as well. I took the time to go through and mute notifications I don't want, reduce others, and prioritize some. I also set up the Do Not Disturb feature that iPhone has, only letting select contacts, notifications, ring or text through during certain hours.

I added additional email rules to eliminate repetitive clicks and deletions..

Definitely was worth the few hours of effort if you are feeling like I was, overwhelmed/annoyed by the sheer volume of data and interaction that comes with electronic devices.

I need to do more of that. On a recent plane flight I took the opportunity to delete about 400 photos but there are still way too many.

A while ago, I went through my phone contacts and was shocked how many I was able to delete. I was also reminded of the importance of putting contacts in with full names and where I know them from. Just having a contact for "Anna" doesn't help me when I know several women named Anna.

[disneysteve]

Digital decluttering happened this weekend.

Today I deleted the 'recent calls' log on my phone. I have absolutely no need to retain that info.

Then I moved on to text messages. I had messages dating back to 2019! I'm working my way forward from there. I'm up to spring 2022 so far. There are a few old threads I've kept because they contain photos or videos or involve my late cousin and his estate but everything else has been deleted. I'll keep at it.

In physical decluttering, this morning I bagged up a 30-gallon trash bag of donations for Goodwill and dropped it off there along with a pair of boots in the box.

[pacerob]

Nice progress clearing that shelf—reusing space instead of buying more is smart and saves money.