I’m losing some decluttering momentum after realizing I decluttered some things I ended up needing! Any suggestions or advice to keep going?
I’m frustrated and annoyed with myself feeling like I should have known I would need the things I got rid of. Still determining if I require the things or just go without.
I think about whether or not there’s an alternative to what I had. I gave up a sifter as I rarely used it. Then, unexpectedly, I found a recipe that looked interesting and was delicious and did a huge baking glut and regretted no sifter.
I thought about it… not having a sifter, something that I only used erratically was not in line with my ultimate desire to “have less” and “be more eco-friendly” and have “NO single use tools.”
My answer to your question is to 1) Question do I really need whatever or is it a convenience? 2) Accept that sometimes giving up something means that a substitution is required. If it truly is a PITA, sometimes I will replace the thing, but mostly I just use the work around, sometimes for decades. I haven’t had a 1t measure for at least 20 years. I just use the 1/2t measure as needed… and 3) Give myself grace. I’m human. Sometimes my judgement is flawed. If I really do need (item) then I get another.
That is so helpful!
The thing I was most bummed about decluttering were the 3rd and 4th mattress protectors for the crib and the 5th and 6th sheets. We needed them all over the past couple of days because we couldn’t keep up with laundry with the sick kiddo.
Of course my irrational brain is telling me because I decluttered them I cursed us to need them 
I’m wondering if to ease back into the process I can keep a “time will tell” pile of sorts and if it hasn’t been touched for a few months I can get rid of it then? Or maybe just take a break for a few weeks and jump back in when I feel ready?
Yes! I was going to recommend a time will tell bin for sure. I think when you’re moving and have young kids, it’s a rough time to really declutter a lot of things because kids are unpredictable and you aren’t sure how the new house will function. If it’s decor or knickknacks, no big deal and it can go straight out. Toddler toys I used to put away in a bin before giving away to make sure they weren’t asked for.
Also, I’ve heard the guideline of if it’s less than $20 to re-buy (especially if it’s easy to find secondhand), then you can let it go and re-buy it if you need it. Mistakes happen, don’t beat yourself up over it.
I know people who put things like that in a box to the side of the room where the things were used, fold the top over, and date it. After a year, everything still in the box is donated…
I do thank it! And I feel good about passing it along. I was more talking about the shame I feel for having outgrown all of it. What a waste of money!
I suppose it feels worse to hold onto it and keep trying to cram myself into it though.
It’s not a waste of money if you used/wore a thing for years and let it go for any reason whatsoever.
Don’t beat yourself up! Most of the time, 2 sets of sheets (or whatever small number) is a totally reasonable amount of sheets. Just once in a blue moon, it’s not. That is hard to plan for, and most of the year, leaves you with an annoying amount of sheets.
If you have the bandwidth, maybe you could use BN to ask for things that need replacing, rather than buying them?
Was it a waste to get my kiddo winter boots that only fit for 3 months this winter? Gotta gentle parent yourself!