The biggest kick in the pants I had was the purchase of a book in January 2015. It's called "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing" by Marie Kondo.
I originally bought it to get my clutter under control... a New Years resolution. But as I followed the simple instructions, I quickly realized it was not like any other decluttering book or article I'd read. This was a life-changing way of looking at my "stuff."
The very basic premise is that you hold each of your belongings in your hands and ask yourself, "Does this spark joy in me?" If it doesn't, it is discarded, donated, or sold.
The first wave for me was clothing. I was instructed to take everything article of clothing out of my closets, drawers, storage bins, etc. and dump it all on the floor. I sorted the clothing into piles. Coats, tops, pants, underwear, shoes, socks, etc. I picked up each article individually and asked, "Does this spark joy?" It may have sparked joy when I bought it.... but if it doesn't, right now, in the present....I thanked it for the joy it brought me, the utility, the kindness of the person who gifted it to me and placed it in one of the "to go" piles. Now I have only the clothing that brings me joy.
There are many other layers to this and I recommend you read the book to learn about them.
I can tell you that a LOT of "stuff" has exited our house. Even Bill (quite the packrat) is onboard with this. One week we rented a DUMPSTER and got rid of the larger things that no longer bring us joy. Lumber from old projects, furniture/electronics that never got refinished/repaired, right down to pens and pencils in the back of drawers.
The most unexpected result of this project is, the more you get rid of, the better you feel. Lighter. Happier. Freer.
We have a section of the basement that is reserved for "The Big Yard Sale" on Memorial Day weekend. Once that is over, I think a smallish dumpster will take care of what is left of our "sticks and bricks" life and we'll be on our way to our new life on the road.
