I have to admit that I have a bit of a hoarding tendency. To me, objects are memories and whether I’m looking at the grotesque clay mask I made in art class in Grade 7 or the railroad spike I found while crossing the old trestle with a group of friends in Grade 9, seeing those objects always has me thinking about so many amazing moments. In fact, even the house I live in is full of memories, since it’s the one in which I was raised.
But now it seems that I may be moving in 2015 and that means that not only will I be leaving the home I know so well once and for all, I will also need to do a lot of downsizing. Getting rid of some things will be easy. After all, I never really use that juicer so why keep it? But others, the items that are holding memories for me…those will be harder to lose.
As I’ve been sorting through items, I’ve come to realize that there are some I simply won’t be able to party with. My book collection is huge and some of the books are ones that have meaning beyond the words on the page. The Hemmingway novels and book of poetry that my dad gave me as a child are books that I love, but they’re also ones that remind me of him. And the battered copy of The Children’s Hour: Fairy Tales was a present from my mom because I read it so many times when it was in her bookshelf downstairs. My beloved limited edition Coach Barbie is something I’ll be keeping forever. And the Katie Berggren print that reminds me of my boys will hang on the wall of every house I ever call a home.
But there are also plenty of items that I’ve found that immediately make me wonder why I was keeping them at all. My two mud dolls from Cyprus have been hanging on my wall ever since I was a child, but they’re pretty chipped and decrepit by now. And while they do remind me of the summer I spent on the beautiful island, so do the pictures I have of my journey. Similarly, the artwork I purchased in South Africa always brings back memories of my visit there, but it doesn’t really fit with my décor. And since I can always look through my photo album from the trip, there’s no real need to keep the items.
So what’s a woman with far too much memorabilia to do? Visit Used.ca of course! While I may no longer want or need many of the items filling my house, that doesn’t mean they might not be treasures to somebody else. And since listing on my local Used.ca site is quick, easy and free, I don’t have to waste a bunch of time or money to clear out the clutter. Best of all, selling on Used.ca means that sales are local, so getting rid of unwanted items doesn’t require a bunch of extra shipping hassles.
Used.ca created an adorable video to demonstrate just how easy it can be to get rid of unwanted items. While most of my childhood items are ones that carry pleasant memories, there certainly can be some items that bring up memories a person would sooner forget forever. Thank goodness getting rid of those items doesn’t have to be a big pain!
Whether I’m clearing out items from my own childhood or searching for a replacement for something special I lost in younger years, Used.ca is always my first stop because it’s so easy to use. Once, when I was just eight years old, my mom took me to her birth country of Finland and, while there, bought me a set of Ittala Crystal water glasses. Over the years the glasses broke one by one so, as an adult, I went on a mission to replace them. I was thrilled when I eventually did myself one better, finding a set of vintage white wine glasses on Used.ca made by the same designer that had created my water glasses. Moving on from old memories or finding items that help you cherish them forever really doesn’t get any easier, so check out your local Used.ca site and make some money while you get nostalgic this year!
Cheryl says
Great site! Ones trash is another treasure 🙂
Stephanie LaPlante says
Oh I already know I’m going to love this website!
Tiffany Rotulo says
I just watched the original The Little Mermaid today. I love a little nostalgia.
kristen visser says
what a great idea for a website! i am totally checking it out and letting my mom know about it to. i know she will love it
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
what a great way to recycle and make a bit of money on the side. 🙂
kathy downey says
What a great way to recycle
caryn s says
I love this idea as hosting a garage sale can be so time consuming!
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
glad you found your glasses. I just donate my stuff.
Emily Linton says
This is a neat idea! Definitely a good website to check out! 🙂
Swapandeep says
nice
nicolthepickle says
I live in a small house now, and I really had to figure out what was treasure too.
Lynda Cook says
Cool site thanks for sharing this with us all!!
angela m says
I usually donate or give to family and friends.
Judy Cowan says
When we clean out items we usually donate them or pass it on to someone we know could use it. But this does look like a great site.
Cherie Varrin says
neat idea!! I usually give to friends and family and if not to a second hand store.
DarW says
Moving!? exciting? Overwhelming! Too a bigger center? Or just a new home?
Usedregina is seriously about the biggest “used” site in the country. Lots of Crap! But lots of deals too….. 🙂
Angela Mitchell says
This post reminds me of how much I need to purge!
Amy Lovell says
Awesome site! Always good to reuse and recycle your old things
Julie F says
Thanks for the info I didn’t know about this site, we are getting ready for a major reno on our house so I will be having a huge purge in the next few weeks!
Karen B says
I am a visual person I do love to see things out to view, I will try and declutter or store items away in time.
Kam says
Very interesting…did not know a site like that existed.
Elva Roberts says
My girls tell me I’m a hoarder as well. The hardest thing I have to throw out are the cards my children have given me over the years: my birthdays ,moher’s day and Christmas day. I could not get rid of them so my daughter did some of them for me . We will probably be moving sometime in the near future as my husband had been diagnosed with a degenerative disease and I am his caregiver. I just won’t have the time to keep up a large home and tend to his needs. It doesn’t really bother me except for getting rid of the clutter, especially the personal stuff. I know it has to be done. Hugs
Fan R says
Looks interesting just reminds me to declutter.
Aliya D says
Sounds like an interesting website and I will be sure to check it out. I am just like you, there are items I have collected and held on to due to some connection to the past (whether good or bad)… Maybe it is time to revaluate and declutter; let some things go.
Louise Gilbert says
reminds me to declutter which I try to do often.
Laurie P says
I purge items often…I just don’t hang to things as I did years ago. Anything of importance to me goes into a large bin of “nostalgia”. Everything else goes.
Great site you’ve shared. There’s always someone out there who is looking for “that one item”.
mongupp says
i love reminders of my childhood. it’s very hard to get rid of them!
Anna W says
I go to our thrift store every couple of weeks and always find something that is from my childhood and I always buy it for my kids or just to keep for myself.
Debbie W says
Lately I have been purging, but some things are hard to get rid of.
Linda Klages says
It’s a great idea but hard to get started
JenniferManganelli says
I love your blog!! Thank you for all the hard work you do!!
Bobert says
Interesting idea
Dana Miller says
I plan to go through my STUFF this weekend. What a big endeavor!
Cassandra says
Good reminder to do some decluttering!
Jeannie says
I am totally drooling over the coach barbie. I have a kate spade barbie! Might have to see what that is worth!
Treen Goodwin says
wow great site , i am in need of decluttering again , i am a pack rat lol