in and out...

[happyhats]

My husband says,'you get rid of things all the time just to buy more.' In a way, I agree. I've worked on no longer buying things just because they're cute and/or cheap. On the other hand, it's not that simple. I'm not purging to get rid of more things. Sometimes people give us things we can't use, my daughter is always outgrowing things, I'll buy things at a yard sale and they don't work out, etc. And we do buy things that we know we'll get rid of once they're used (books, vhs' on super sale at goodwill, etc.)

Do you feel it's that way for you? You're constantly removing things from your space/home but you also still purchase things on a semi regular basis?

[zebra15]

Yes, i think that is fairly common with kids. DS is constantly needed new clothes and shoes. Same with books, and since we homeschool that is a constant battle of its own. I routinely stock up the pantry then pare it back down again, same with bathroom items....

[GoGoGirl]

Hmm. Well that is kind of true for me at this stage in my life, but at least DH doesn't seem to mind!

I'm losing my prepregnancy weight (finally, DD is 16 months!!) so I'm getting rid of the old clothes but buying (fewer) new ones. I'm really into woven baby wraps, so I'm constantly selling and buying. And of course I get rid of toys and clothes that DD has outgrown, and she needs new ones.

I'm ok with still buying stuff as I work really hard to purge. Overall, we have MUCH less stuff here. And I feel more balanced when the stuff we have is being used and loved, instead of just taking up space and sucking up my apartment's very lifeforce.

[happyhats]

I think the only real bone of contention is that he has to take things to the mission or hand them off to people, etc. Otherwise he doesn't really mind. Oh, and as long as he doesn't get dragged to a yard sale.

[zoebird]

to me, what your husband is describing is "throwing away pots and pans to buy NEW or MORE pots and pans." instead, what you are doing is replenishing those things that are outgrown, worn out, or finished (as in, i ran out of flour, because i finished it! so, i buy new flour.).

pretty normal, i would say. it's like my husband and laundry: "it's never finished!" he complains. well, that would be because at the moment he makes that complaint, he is wearing clothing that will be in the next washing. some things just are like that.

when my t-shirt wears out (holes in it), i cut it into rags (family cloth), and i buy a new shirt. because if i didn't, i would eventually have no shirts. and that would be cold and/or indecent. so, yeah, i sometimes do need NEW clothes.

[green_momma2007]

Yes, that happens here too. Even though I am doing a purge, I still do love me a good buy. In fact, I will probably go and buy a new diaper bag today. But, I promised myself that anytime I bring something new into the house, something old has to go out.

[Logan]

Im really struggling with this too. Seems like I have been non-stop decluttering for the past 2 years and still we are overloaded with STUFF.

I dont know if it is a testimony to just how much crap we had accumulated over the years (it never eve occurred to me to get rid of anything in the past) or if too much new stuff is still creeping in, or if my standards of how much we need has just changed so drastically that it still seems overwhelming but really is fine. Or maybe its all three of those

[justmeandmybrood]

My hubby just said the same thing to me this weekend! Part of my reason is to replenish necessary things (as well as buy things for baby-on-the-way after we had already gotten rid of alllll our baby things, lol!). The other part of my personal problem is that I am at constant odds with myself - binge and purge on "stuff!"

[Aeress]

I like to refresh things, so I will donate items I no longer enjoy and purchase by way of second hand, new to me tems. I see it as a win, win.