#115 Is selling your stuff worth it? The pros and cons of selling your clutter: a hoarder’s perspective
That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding
Introduction
Exploring the advantages and disadvantages of selling items when de-hoarding, including the common trap of using selling potential as an excuse to hold onto things. The chapter also touches on various online marketplaces for selling items.
Today’s episode is all about the pros and cons of selling your stuff. If you've been following my journey, you know that I have been apprehensive about selling items in the past. But I've taken a tentative step into the world of selling my clutter. Today I'm going to share the lessons I've learned and explore whether selling is truly worth it. So, grab your headphones and get ready for an insightful discussion on the potential benefits and drawbacks of selling your stuff.
Selling stuff slows you down, hampers decluttering
Holding on to things instead of selling
Potential and creativity don't guarantee objective value
Saves money, extends life cycle, reduces waste, helps environment, satisfies hoarder brain
Time, effort, selling, selling process
Selling stuff may hinder hoarder's progress - delay, excuses
No guarantee of sales or payments; uncertain and time-consuming process
Setting parameters saves energy.
Selling slows down decluttering, creates excuses to keep items.
If we don't want to get rid of something, we might pretend we'll sell it without actually doing so
We use excuses to avoid throwing it away because we have a tendency to hoard
We believe someone else will want it.
Realistic value check.
We overestimate the value of our possessions.
Selling stuff can make money during tough times
Varies depending on what you sell.
Someone else can use them
Reusing is better than recycling or throwing away. It's environmentally beneficial
Selling can be both a motivator and an excuse for delaying getting rid of things
There is no guarantee of selling or payment for listed items.
Unpredictable
Listing and selling items require time and energy that could be used more productively.
Charity shops save time and effort compared to eBay
Not advocating selling everything
Previous stance on selling items and recent change in perspective
Importance of finding a balance and considering what is best for oneself and the items being sold
Making money while in debt or struggling with bills
Benefiting from the extra money, especially in a tough economy
Extending the life cycle of items by reusing them
Supporting the idea of reducing consumption
Sense of satisfaction in knowing that items will be put to good use by someone else
Uncertainty involved in the selling process
Difficulty in determining the right price for items
Frustration of receiving offers below desired price or dealing with non-paying buyers
Feeling demoralised if treasured items don't sell
Potential dissatisfaction with the final amount received after all the effort
eBay fees and the impact on the final selling price
Potential Hoarding Related Challenges of Selling
The tendency to use selling as a means to delay getting rid of items
The role of selling as a motivator versus an excuse to hold onto possessions
Assessing individual motivations for selling personal belongings
Considering whether the effort and time invested in selling outweigh other actions
Setting a minimum price threshold for Facebook Marketplace to avoid lowball offers
Taking into account one's overall personality and goals when deciding to sell or keep items
Insights and Lessons Learned from Selling
Realizing that overvaluing possessions is common for hoarders
Recognizing the importance of speed in decluttering and minimizing possessions
Learning about oneself and possessions through the selling process
Reiteration of the importance of finding a balance between selling and letting go
Highlighting the benefits and potential challenges of selling items
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