Donate or Sell? What to do with unwanted stuff?

One of the biggest sticking points many people find as they begin to declutter and simplify their homes is what to do with all this stuff?We don't want it. It's in our way. We're ready to let go of it. And yet...And yet we get caught up in the value of our stuff. We probably paid good money for that end table/lounge/unworn jacket/toy of the moment/bike/treadmill and it doesn't feel good to think we will just let it go. Bye bye, money.So people get stuck. They decide to get money for their unwanted stuff, and look in to all the different ways of selling it:

• ebay
• Craigslist
• local message boards
• Facebook garage sales
• real garage sales
• consignment
• Gumtree
• market stalls

I'm not against selling unwanted belongings. I've done it myself, and in some cases made a little side money. But I do want to warn you against trying to sell everything you no longer want as I've seen it become a barrier to moving forward too many times to count.Typically what happens when you decide to sell your stuff is this:You do all the work of decluttering, collecting the stuff you no longer want or need in order to sell it. Then it sits in boxes or bags in the office or a steadily-expanding corner of the bedroom until you find the time to photograph it, list it for sale online, respond to buyer questions, organise a garage sale, find a consignment store willing to take your items... Then it actually needs to sell, you need to accept payment, organise pick-up or ship it to the buyer.That's a lot of work to potentially make very little money and often this stuff sits in a pile labelled "Waiting to Sell" or somesuch and languishes there, still cluttering up your space and still weighing on your mind.My general advice on selling is this:Try selling once, then donate - never to be thought of again.I subscribe to the philosophy that unwanted stuff is emotional weight and getting it out the door as quickly as possible is more valuable than selling it, so I'm conflicted in offering advice on how best to sell. Also, if I'm being honest, I get tired of thinking about stuff all the time.But ultimately what I want to see is you living a simpler, slower life and if that means helping you work out what to sell and what to donate/give away, then let's do it.Simple Tips on Selling Your Unwanted Stuff 

• Items need to be in excellent condition in order to sell, particularly online.
• Only trying to sell large items that are in very good condition or smaller items that are quite literally as good as new.
• Try selling in batches rather than individually (lower-priced items and kids clothes sell well in small batches).
• Vintage and designer items still need to be in very good condition. Unless it's exceptionally desirable, don't try selling anything damaged.
• Unless what you're selling is genuine vintage or very desirable you won't get anywhere near what you paid for it, no matter how well you've cared for it over the years.
• Look at similar items for sale and price accordingly.
• Hobby-related items are easier to sell (for you) in batches. Look for message boards or Facebook groups related to the hobby and see if there are any interested buyers.
• Be willing to accept less than you want for an item. After all, you just want it out of your home.

It can be difficult to accept that the stuff we've paid good money for is now virtually worthless. In fact, it can be depressing. But the bottom line and the reason you're here is to simplify life. Before deciding to sell any of your unwanted items, ask yourself whether doing so serves to simplify life or add another complication.Over the years I have given away tens of thousands of things (sold a few too) and some of the stuff I donated was valuable. When I closed down my jewellery business I gave the vast majority of my stock away, simply because the weight of it was unbearable.Now that time has passed, do I feel regret at having not gotten some money out of that stuff? Not in the slightest. In fact I feel lighter just thinking about it.While this post is about selling, I just want to offer a view of the other side because willingly letting go is such a delight. So by all means, try selling your stuff but also keep this mantra in mind when you do:Try selling once, then donate - never to be thought of again.