Give Something Away - and declutter your life
Most of us have more than enough ‘stuff’ and when we acquire more things, we rarely choose to let go of something else. But a lot of the time our ‘extras’ or duplicates, some of which we are never going to use again, can be of use to someone else.
But first of all we need to let go of it – which requires a moments
concentration, a decision or two, and a short burst of activity – without which the stuff will remain under the bed or in the wardrobe or in the shed and of no use to anyone.
Could be taking it to a local charity shop or a sale organised by a youth club or school. Could be putting an advert in a shop-window or in the church notices. Could be offering it on generous-style websites like Freecycle – and as you mention it, that’s another Generous Action
One person’s trash can truly be another’s treasure!
Join the fray by signing in.
Maidenhead, GB , 24 Aug 2005
I’ve been moderating the East Berkshire Freecycle list since setting it up over a year ago. We have around 750 members now and all kind of things have changed hands. From cardboard boxes, computer parts and most memorably a Rooster (who found a new and loving home)!
If you don’t have a Freecycle Group in your town or area you can set one up – if you need help doing so I’d be happy to help.
04 Sep 2005
I’m having a little sabbatical for the second half of this year, and one of the big priorities is de-cluttering both the house and my life.
Charity shops in Muswell Hill will not know what has hit them!
Our church is also good at distributing useful stuff around ourselves – two surplus electric fans recently went to good homes (there are no charity shops here taking electrical goods any more).
08 Sep 2005
Recently got married, so when two become one, we have stuff overfloweth! A quick sort out, a boot fair and several visits to charity shops later, we have a home! Suspect we’ll do this kind of thing on a yearly basis.
GB , 01 Oct 2005
I have sold some stuff on e-bay but always felt I would rather the money went to charity, so I made a donation to the cat protection league and today took a whole bunch of stuff to the local cancer research shop.
08 Oct 2005
Been through all my clothes – sallie army shop up the road got what I didn’t like/need any more.Really like what I am left with – feel like a very groovy 58 year old…...
Jules sorted out all the crap cupboards and again the sallie took the brunt
just started on the books….bit of a problem here as I feel covetous….
09 Oct 2005
In our twenties we were both in voluntary work in Asia and literally lived out of a ‘backpack’. Now, after 20 years in large vicarages with children and pets we have sooo much stuff! De-cluttering has become a major challenge.
28 Oct 2005
I took some furniture which I didn’t think was good enough for a charity shop to a local ‘Give or Take Day’. Basically you donate your stuff and people can come and take it for free. Like freecycle but at an event. Brilliant!
Godalming, GB , 06 Nov 2005
Hubby redecorated the bedroom this summer and replaced the old wardrobe, which he has never liked with a new one to both our liking – the old one came with the house so was old then and we put up with it for 9 years, so not too profligate.
As a result I needed to reduce my clutter, especially the paper, which I’m a terror for holding on to. I’ve done quite well on that score, so that will be one of my actions for this November. I’ve still got a bit more to get rid of.
Unwanted clothes also went to charity shops in the process of decluttering, unless they were too old and tatty.
Haverfordwest, GB , 11 Dec 2005
Interesting idea this one! Would like to know more about the ‘Give or Take Day’ Helen3rose mentioned. Is this something we could organise for a parish fund-raiser by charging admission? Or does that just become a jumble sale?
26 Dec 2005
It’s how I paid for my new Uni course in Environmental Studies and I recommend it to anyone.
08 Jan 2006
We joined Freecycle.org and have given away a good quality bed and a garden shed! Feeling good and looking to give more things away!
Newark, GB , 16 Jan 2006
I’ve just joined my local Freecycle and am planning a large pile of stuff to go on there!
17 Jan 2006
Have joined freecycle and will ensure I use it where possible, when not giving items to friends and relatives of course!
Maidenhead, GB , 24 Jan 2006
I managed to get rid of a great big box full of old computer books using our local Freecycle list this weekend. They were gathering dust and going out of date, and now they’re in the hands of someone who’ll actually use them. Result.
Norwich, GB , 14 Feb 2006
I’ve been using Freecycle – through the very active Norwich group – for some months now, and can’t recommend it highly enough. I’ve been given a couple of things from other folks, and have given out a lot more – excellent.
AF , 23 Feb 2006
I have always found freecycle useful but there is a far simpler alternative now which allows people to give things away to anyone anywhere in the UK. Its much easier as there is no need to sign up for yahoo or join a local group. You can also post a photo of the thing you wish to give away, and search for things being offered by entering a keyword. It seems to combine the power and simplicity of eBay with the spirit of freecycle. Its called GreenGonzo and it is at this address: www.GreenGonzo.com – Click this link to visit.
Bristol, GB , 27 Feb 2006
i joined freecycle today decluttered 30cm of my living room and made someone else very happy. i usually pass things on to friends – handing something over to a total – and very grateful – stranger instead was really good.
28 Feb 2006
3 beds, 2 desks, 2 hoovers and a load of bits and pieces later and I still feel cluttered! How did I exist before?
06 Apr 2006
I’m a big fan or decluttering and passing on our reusable stuff to others (and recycling as much as possible of what is left).
Recently I’ve started to think about the next use for things that I’m buying now. For example, certain toys I buy my children (lego, wooden toys, nicely boxed toys) will be easy to pass on (to friends, school fairs, toy libraries, local nurseries)
Other things will be difficult to pass on so are destined for the bin (many craft based toys; easily breakable toys, toys with lots of small bits which are easy to lose, soft toys, crazes (e.g. no one wants bayblades now).
It applies to lots of things – high fashion clothes, make up (you can’t pass any of than on); electrical items, MDF furniture.
I’ve seen considering the next use called “pre-cycling” and it will save you lots of money and make next years decluttering less guilt inducing and much easier.
07 Apr 2006
I use freecycle – have also freecycled a cockerel to a very good home where he has settled in right away.
It’s a great way to make friends too!!
Gloucester, GB , 15 Jun 2006
freecycle/ charity shops/ new stuff to schools for raffles/ tombolas – i’m trying to declutter but i hate to throw things away which might be useful – so all these ways help me junk the junk!
Gloucester, GB , 15 Jun 2006
freecycle/ charity shops/ new stuff to schools for raffles/ tombolas – i’m trying to declutter but i hate to throw things away which might be useful – so all these ways help me junk the junk!
GB , 10 Jul 2006
feels great to be clearing out the cupboards and giveing someone else something that they’ll use. Brillinat.
Brighton, GB , 04 Sep 2006
To encourage you in your de-cluttering, and with some good advice and healthy tongue-in-cheek attitude, have a read of this website and ezine, Breathe – the slogan is “less stuff, more life”, http://www.ibreathe.org.uk
Cheltenham, GB , 15 Sep 2006
Its amazing how much stuff you can give away and yet still feel that you have gots loads left over! Freecycle’s been great at getting rid of those bulky items that we can’t face taking to the tip….
Wokingham, GB , 25 Sep 2006
I have recently discovered Freecycle and think it is a fantastic way to begin to de-clutter. I also regularly give stuff away to charity shops or pass things on to family and friends. It really is amazing how much stuff it is possible to accumilate – I need to start on sorting out my garage and my loft – that will keep me going for a while!
Leicester, GB , 13 Oct 2006
We’ve just started using freecycle. Managed to give someone loads of bubble wrap and other packaging that we had from wedding presents which we probably would have had to throw away as it was not all recyclable.
19 Oct 2006
I joined our local freecycle group this month. We are going to be moving house soon, so it has been a great way of giving away things we don’t need anymore, as well as aquiring essentials for our new home.
22 Dec 2006
It took us the past year to sort it out after moving, but we took 5 large house-moving boxes full of un-required ‘stuff’ to our local Waggy Dogs charity shop. It felt good! Go-on and have a big declutter over Christmas. Does anyone know anyone that takes/re-uses self-recorded Video Tapes, all films – nothing dodgy! We’ve got 50 to 100 to re-home or re-cyle. Can’t bear to throw them away??
31 Jan 2007
So has anyone else found that as you clear more seems to creep in ?
Amersham, GB , 15 Feb 2007
Freecycle is so fab. Since we joined our local network my family has joyfully given away all manner of stuff that we no longer needed but couldn’t part with until we could find it a loving new home. It’s turning clutter into gifts this way – everyone wins.
17 Feb 2007
This is a real toughie for me as I’m such a hoarder. I love charity shops but always buy more in them than I take to them. It’ll probably take me a long, long time to turn this into a ‘done’ and soon after that I’ll be ‘lapsed’ I’m sure!
Dub, IE , 13 May 2007
Am decluttering too (planning to seriously dowsize in the next few months)! Have a massive box of curtains, boxes of prints, ornaments….oh heck the list goes on! ;-) Thank goodness for freecycle!
14 May 2007
We’ve been freecycling like mad and now can move in the garage – the loft is next! My tip is if you haven’t touched it in a year – get rid of it!
Sunbury On Thames, GB , 20 Aug 2007
We’ve given several pieces of decent furniture to the Hounlow Furniture Project.
Port Hadlock, WA, US , 09 Mar 2008
We’ve been giving away lots to friends, family, chairty and locals in our area in relation to simplifying after our move. Last week we gave away: A box of antique wooden dollhouse furniture from my own long ago dollhouse; Two beautiful porcelain dolls (to local little girls through a community parenting list); Multiple boxes of housewares and bags of clothing to local charity shop; Box of peg board puzzles, mini animals, and other toys, plus a paper shopping bag full of wooden tracks and Brio trains to a local preschool; Misc things to family.
Last month we gave away: A standing mixer to a friend; A brand new stainless steel microwave that was in our newly purchased home, given to a neighbor widow (which hubby installed for her) since we don’t use a microwave; Curtains/Window treatments to friends and charity.
Still have lots to give away, including brand new carpeting from the house bedrooms (we’re allergic) Books, games, housewares and other clutter.
14 May 2008
New second hand bookshop in Bracknell town center. Its down the bit which heads to towards the cycle shop moving away from the band stand.
Denver, US , 30 May 2008
I collected many things over the years that had special or fun meaning to me. These are hard to part with. HOW many t-shirts/snow globes/magnets…. from events?????
But I am finding that they are still fun & special for the teenagers I know. I try to match them with the proper adorer,and I know they have a good home :)
Newcastle upon Tyne, GB , 28 Aug 2008
We too Freecycle, declutter regularly (as a reaction against both sets of our parents’ hoarding habits) and give what we can to charity shops. We have tried to give furniture via community furniture projects a few times – sometimes its been great but some only collect infrequently and so don’t expect them to necessarily be able to take stuff immediately. Sometimes I do think we feel the need to get rid of stuff, because we collect too much all the time – so although this action is something we do already it prompts me to think more about the stuff we buy too.