The overbearing task of reducing excess- AKA Selling extra stuff from the garage.

The Greatest Step Towards a Life of Simplicity is to Learn to Let Go

We've all been there- 

We've collected so much stuff over the years, our lifestyle changes, or the kids grow older, maybe our bodies change ( ahem), or whatever it is. We're then faced with the sometimes daunting task of either donating our unused items (by far easier), or trying to get some of the money back. 

Personally for small miscellaneous items, I usually just donate (I'll be honest- Garage sales scare me). But as we own our own home, need a new roof, our cars are nearly 20 years old, and are expecting our second child- the "Responsible" thing to do would be to try and reclaim at least a portion of the money for our gently used items, right?

I love nice, open, simple organized spaces (not that my house is ever really as clean as I'd like- seriously a disaster zone). But going into my husbands "man cave" terrifies me! And of course that's where we store all the unused items to get them out of the way. 

I would think a normal person would set these items (which were in boxes typically by the way) in a neat and tidy stack, out of the way so one could still walk around and have free access to all the things one
stores in a garage (besides a car- ours is not automated so we park outside). Unfortunately ours seems to have piles right inside the door, in the middle of the "open" space, Infant items scattered ALL over the shelves higgledy piggledy, a container of open antifreeze (sigh)... I can feel my jaw tighten just thinking about it. So my strategy? Avoid it and leave it to Mr. Man to grab requested items so I can stay in my own, safe territory.

But is that REALLY what I should be doing? As baby #2 Is due sometime in the next 4.5 months, I have taken it upon myself to "Inch by Inch" help a little bit at a time, so its not too overwhelming. So the question arises: What method of reclamation should I use? 

We've had great success in the past using good old Craigslist, so away I went to take my pictures. Propping and positioning. Ensuring good lighting... And here's my "art work". What do you think? Did I do justice to my "goods". We have tons more stuff to go, and really should brave the garage sale some day... but. Well the excuses will always arise won't they?  At least this is a start. One of my very best friends always says:

"Inch by inch is a cinch, but Yard by yard is hard!"