My sister's moving advice

My sister is moving after living in the same house for over 10 year.  She is a pack rat, and found that she had accumulated "way too much stuff" over the years.

After the remodel and staging and moving items to a storage unit - 3 times to de-clutter - I was horrified that I filled 2 10x15 (in which 1

should hold a 3-bedroom house) and then a 5x5 for shoes and clothes - HORRIFYING.  This is even after I donated 11 bags of clothes and shoes and threw away 32 boxes of office stuff and shredded enough paperwork to fill 8 large garbage bags.  I kept paperwork since dad opened our 1st bank account from 1st American bank (holy crap).  It took 2 trucks (28 feet) and 6 men to move JUST my stuff.  Hauling 20 boxes of just books, I just can't do it anymore.  I don't plan on moving any time soon, but the thought of all that stuff, that I never use.  One plan of attack for my treasures is taking a photo and get an album where you can write something beside it, take a photo, print it, and write what it was that was so special and the purpose of keeping if so many years.    The other, if you not using it for show or utilitarian purposes, get rid of it.   Third: whatever hobbies or collectibles you participate in narrow it down to a couple... who has time for all of that.  I picked a couple and the rest of the stuff I "thought" I was going to do, is going bye bye... it's just taking up space.  In addition, you'll know your boundaries to the significant other and they can't yell at you for having.  For example I am allowed my shoes, but must get rid the plethora of purses and some clothes... who needs 10 different bath robes?  I also stopped shopping for clothes for over a year now, until it falls apart' why do I need another black sweater to mesh in with the other 10 I wear.  I am putting stickers on all my clothes, so when you wear it you pull it off. If it has a sticker on it still in two years, you don't need it.  Sorry I guess I am sharing too much, but this is a good way to vent it out and make this commitment to myself in writing.    Honestly, for first month of moving stuff out and realizing I couldn't store it and I had to throw it away, I cried so many times. They say purging makes you feel better, I didn't feel better at all and was so depressed. I couldn't believe how much money I threw away... wood, tile, paint, etc. And what was worse, I had no time to sell it or donate.  It was so not easy.  I will never again by something for a project that isn't planned out and ready to begin.  Nor start another project until it is completed. I remember, dad always had a piece of this a piece of that and we didn't have to go to the store to buy... but seriously, how much wood can you move and WHY.  Johnny and I have set up rules for the house and goals for completion, so we don't kill each other - 1 year, can't complain about it, but after a year if it's still there, he can pitch it and vice versa.  Not sure if this was helpful to you, but it was for me!  Good luck!  Start small with one type of item (like his Sperry manuals) and it will grow into something bigger.  Just don't re-fill the space you cleared out with something else.