I mentioned that I am selling so I decided it was time to really clear this house. Since I've lived here it's been packed to the rafters downstairs and in closets with what remained of my parent's stuff and all my stuff and it was entirely too much for this house even though I thought I had cut a lot before I moved. it was driving me crazy but I had to finally admit it was too overwhelming for me to deal with.
As of right now I can not only see my whole basement I can have a dance party down there. My living room is down to the bare minimum as is the rest of the house and the garage.
I hired a company who came in here and in 3 days sorted, called contacts, and between a 20' dumpster, trips to charity, auction, recycling, having some dealers arrive, and packing up anything I don't need to have to live until I move again, cleared my house and all I had to do was sit there and say keep or not. What really impresses me is this didn't cost a whole lot more than when I had the 800-junk type come last time and with them I had to do all the work sorting and hauling it outside for them. I didn't have to do that at all this time and now no need to even hire the movers to pack too as it's all packed, labeled, taped, and stacked and ready to go. I am so impressed although my chiropractor won't have the extra income he might have had from me.
If anyone else has been thinking about this, all I can say is this was the way to go to do any major organizing. I wish I had done this a couple of years ago so I wouldn't have had all those boxes looming at me all this time (some stuff I never did unpack for various reasons so it was all unpacked and sorted and dealt with). I was a bit afraid I would get sentimental about some things but she kept things moving so it didn't become a big deal and I didn't get caught in the trap of sitting and looking through things, or not being sure of what to do with some stuff, and the other things that tend to get me distracted when I've tried to clear things myself. We even had time to go through clothes so my closets are now cleared of all the stuff I just never got around to getting rid of. bonus! If i had realized this could be done for so reasonable a cost before I would never had waited.
The nice part for me is I had a lot of stuff that was garage sale worthy but no time or energy to take care of that. It's now all been taken by someone who has a massive sale and donates all the proceeds to one of the charities I really like. I could have used the money but given he's doing all the work it's nice to think the things may get used by others and the money will go to a good cause without me having to really lift a finger. So much nicer than it going in a dumpster.
So all done. House and garage are practically empty and I don't have a big load to move. I feel like I have a huge weight off my shoulders and can now get the house ready to go on the market with room to maneuver. What was kind of fun was seeing all the different decor items I've been through and I just deciding to finally let it all go, expensive or not, so I can start fresh next place. I've saved only enough to stage the house. I think I had more stuff when I first moved into my first apt than I have in this house right now. It's very weird but somehow freeing to have it done. No more wondering about what I should keep because it was a family item or a favourite or whatever. It's gone and I feel some relief which I didn't expect.
Meanwhile, if I had any doubts about selling, after some spring weather for a change the past week, it's a snowy blizzardy day in Calgary today with more on the way, so I am more than convinced this is right time to leave for someplace where spring comes and sticks. Yesterday I noticed my tulips were actually breaking ground but in the past 4 hours, covered with snow again. I can't wait to get away from this kind of thing.
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Not only does it work, it was almost painless doing it this way and it was all done, whole house in 3 days. I can't imagine why this hasn't been one of those things that is a standard, sort of like getting the carpet cleaners in. When I think of all the stress, procrastination, and resulting guilt and all, this just beats anything I can think of for money well spent.
When they were doing my house they really gave me an out by saying this house was just too small/full to be able to get a handle on things as there was really no way to make space to work without the dumpster being there and having all the extra hands to keep moving things out to make room. Also nothing phases these types as they have had to clear the houses of hoarders so mine was almost a breeze to them.
One other company I spoke with does much the same but in the end they take all your things which can be sold and set up a garage sale (at your house) and you basically pay half the bill up front and the rest out of the proceeds from the sale. Unfortunately for that scenario it cost twice as much as the company I used so it didn't seem like a good idea to me as it would mean extra days of stuff hanging around while the one I used had it leaving the house pretty much as they got it ready so you could really see the progress.
What I found interesting is all the companies I called were run by women on their second or third careers as they discovered they liked the satisfaction of cleaning/organizing more than any corporate job. The one I hired left being a stock broker to do it because it just suited her better and she likes the work better. Seems like a great niche for those who love that kind of work because boy, so many people could get this done rather than trying to tackle it all themselves.
I'm very impressed with how you really did the total house cleansing when you decided to. All the TV shows say it really works and you've proven it.
Sounds like a great house with lots of potential. Ont. definitely has 4 seasons (unlike here where we seem to have summer, winter, more winter, and more winter with 2 days each for spring and fall). I'm afraid it isn't even on my radar though. Even when I lived there for nearly 10 years I could never take the humidity (although I did like what it did to my hair) so I'd be complaining about weather there too I fear.
well done, :clapping: well done :clapping:
You sound so much less bogged down now, it's amazing what we hang onto, isn't it?
As for your next place, may I suggest Chatham On?? It's Zone 6 (a or b, can't remember which) and I have just bought a nice (a least, I think it is!) 100-year-old 1500sq ft with original trim two-storey brick house for $75000 - no, I didn't miss a zero! It does need work - original clawfoot tub in bathroom has to be re-located to a bath-room in the basement and replaced with a large shower for everyday use, the kitchen is a disaster, one counter with the fridge and stove in the middle of the wall at right angles to the counter, and at least 3 doors (traffic flow :eek:)
Will post pics as soon as I can !!! We are moving next Saturday.
Congratulations DBD.....releasing those things will now allow you the freedom to get up and go................I can't wait to follow your journey to see where you will end up....!!..:)
Sounds like you now have a great deal of space in both your home and in your head - congrats! Sounds like a good plan and good therapy - let go of the old and embrace the new. Have fun in this leg of your "journey".
Yes, actual getting ready to move will not be a big deal now. Basically pack my clothes, linens, dishes, and what's left in my office (not a whole lot compared to what it was I can tell you). Meanwhile there are a couple dozen boxes all ready to go in the basement.
The house isn't on the market yet. I have some work to do in the painting department as well as finishing the bathroom and kitchen. I'm hoping to find a handy person to help with some of that and fingers crossed, house is up at the end of the month.
The plan is to move to BC although I have no real idea of where yet. I think I need to do a road trip once the house sells and then maybe I can decide. I am probably only going to rent until I see If I am where I am supposed to be and prices stabilize a bit. For sure it has to be somewhere with better than a zone 3 gardening season.
I am still amazed that I let so much go and am not slapping my forehead yet. Mind you I could not part with those Barbies. the line has to be drawn somewhere and for me it was the Barbies. Waving off all other childhood things or treasured adult items didn't bother me as much as I thought which begs the question why did I have them around all this time at all. I still have about half my antiques too but let all the rest move on. I hope I don't regret that but on the other hand there are still two larger pieces here I am not sure about and they still may be sent off once the house sells.
It will make packing and moving a breeze now.
Sounds great and theraputic!! :D I have just made that my goal for this summer, declutter and goodbye!!! You must feel so free and that is what I want to do, if I want to move or go nothing will be holding me back. :rolleyes:
Are you going to BC or has that decision been reached yet??? Good Luck!!
You must feel sooo...light DBD after making this major decision.I think I will be cleaning out the unwanted items in our house also & call the CDA to pick them up...I use to have garage sales but I feel the same as you ..I just want it done..
Thanks for the inspirational post:)
isnt it that such a great relief......like a wieght lifted off your shoulders. We did a major clean out when we moved here, now i need to move so i can do it again. Actually i have been pretty good since moving here, i dont put anything in the basement, i send it out right away. Any bites on the house yet or have you even put it on the market?
smiles
janetc
It sounds like that was a therapeutic process and something I feel many of us need to consider. I for one have been cutting down on my consumer ways in the past few years and really stepping back from purchases and re-evaluating what is a need and what isn't.
Good for you DBD! I hope you are going somewhere that the weather will be accommodating, the people pleasant and your home inviting and warm. :)
Wow, that was really gutzy and I am impressed. As someone who always hangs onto things a little longer than most before making a final decision to let go of things and move forward, I know what you did took a lot of courage.
Enjoy your new 'freedom', and the time you'll spend on new plans. I hope your home sale goes really well too!