I look at saving things as like I am paying to store them. I pay for where I am living and I am giving up square footage to store things I will probably never use. I tell myself I can use the space right now, as opposed to maybe needing some thing later. Also, I use the $20.00 rule. If I can replace it for less than $20.00, and I don’t know for a fact I will need it ever again, out it goes. So far, I have not had to replace anything. Your statement, “I won't make friends because my clutter is an embarrassment,” could be another incentive. I would rather have a friend than anything I am hanging on to. I read once that clutter in your house reflects the clutter in your life. I think that is true.

Another thing you could do is save, but be more selective. If you have a box of baby clothes that have fond memories, pick out a favorite and keep it. Just for sentimental reasons. If you have a box of your own old clothes, maybe you could make a quilt out of the material. Making new, useful things, out of old things is a good way to recycle. But make a definite project out of what you save, and give yourself a time limit, so you don’t fall back into saying, “I better keep that because I might make something out of it someday.”

Whatever you decide to do about the clutter…donation or garage sale or chucking it out, it might help to enlist the help of your daughter. She needs to see how you think your past hoarding needs to be dealt with because you know it is not healthy and it is time for a change. This will let her see maybe her learned habits could/should be changed. And celebrate your new uncluttered space by inviting someone over!