Ahead of the return of the Garage Sale Trail – unfolding over November 8th to 9th and 15th to 16th – we caught up for a chat with Edel Beattie aka The Happy Organiser. After helping folks declutter with the Great Aussie Clear Out, Edel shares her tips and tricks for reselling, rehoming and decluttering preloved bits and bobs.What do you think is part of the shift in more people wanting to both resell and buy preloved items? I think people are becoming much more aware of the negative impacts of overconsumption and waste – especially in the fashion industry. More of us are looking for sustainable options when it comes to buying, selling and decluttering. The rise of online preloved marketplaces has also made a big difference. Buying and selling preloved has become so much easier and more accessible, so people are more confident about contributing to the circular economy and less hesitant about letting go of items.

Why do you think events like the Garage Sale Trail and the Great Aussie Clear Out are important for communities? So much meaningful change happens at a community level – especially when it comes to looking after our environment and supporting one another. The Great Aussie Clear Out and Garage Sale Trail are perfect examples. There’s real value in sharing experiences like decluttering or hosting a garage sale. It can feel daunting at first, but it’s easier when you know others are doing it too. It’s such a great feeling when something you no longer need finds a new home with someone in your community. Plus, it’s a great way for children to learn about responsible consumption and decluttering from an early age.If you were hosting your own garage sale, what would you be selling? Mainly kids’ stuff! We all move through different seasons of life, and kids seem to outgrow things so quickly – bikes, clothes, books... Most of our children’s things were already preloved before they came to us, so I love passing them on again as soon as we’re done with them.

How do you navigate any sentimentality you might hold for an object when you’re decluttering? It’s easy to hold onto things once we label them as sentimental, so I try to be very intentional about that. When I feel attached to something, I ask myself why. Am I sentimental about the item itself, or the memory it represents? Most of the time, it’s the memory – and that still exists without the object. Sometimes I’ll take a photo instead, especially if it’s something like an outfit I wore to a special occasion. That way, I can keep the memory without keeping the clutter.What are your tips for ways folk can continue to declutter, long after the Great Aussie Clear Out is over? The key is to make decluttering part of your regular habits. You don’t need to spend hours at a time. Small, consistent actions make a huge difference, especially when you’re mindful about what you bring into your home. Make a commitment to yourself to keep going and focus on one small space or category at a time. Try to sell or donate items as you go, otherwise they can build up and find their way back into your home. If you’re registered for the Great Aussie Clear Out, the Clear Out Kit is packed with helpful tips on rehoming items from hosting your own garage sale to finding recycling options.

To help clear out and palm off your own bits, register for the Garage Sale Trail.