My mother is a pack-rat. I'd clean out my room (the several times I'd move out) and she would go through the garbage bags and say "you could use this". Umm....I haven't used it in years, I don't think I need it.

But I still have a little part of my mom in me. Especially when it comes to clothes. But that's because I live in denial. I go through old clothes that don't fit me and think "I am going to lose weight and be able to wear these again some day". Just the other day I cleaned off my dresser which had become a huge pile of clothes. I looked at the item, if it was worn out (which most of my clothes are) or didn't fit me.....OUT IT WENT! It was difficult and I still have drawers and shelves to go through. I actually threw a bunch of clothes away because they were so worn out. Why was I keeping those??
I have a lot of shirts from Harley Davidson stores that we visit on trips. I don't want to give these away because they symbolize our trip. But I do not fit into them. I am still not sure about getting rid of those items.

I really like the ideas given above. I will have to try some of these myself.