Well, for purging chickens, here is what I did that made it easier:
I had a lot of leftover non-quilting fabric from old costumes and dog crate cover stuff. That was pretty painless. I donated it to a place that does crafts with folks at nursing homes. There was some faux fur etc so they were happy to have it.
Then I started dividing by fat quarters, scraps, 3+ yard cuts and smaller cuts. I had a lot of duplicate because stuff was stored in boxes and not visible.
I critically eyed a lot...for example I show my dogs in obedience and in the 90s I made matching vests and scrunchies and I had a lot of dog fabric. I was sentimental, but I knew I no longer wear vests and I already have a dog quilt. So that bunch went to someone who makes belly bands and crate pads. I had some fabric I was gifted in the late 90s that simply wasn't my taste anymore.
Anything small I cut into strips and squares for scrap quilts. FQ were organized by color and pattern and take up less space on edge in the top drawer. Anything big had to be either a blender, a neutral back or in mind for a specific project. I put fabric for projects together in the drawers tied together with string.
Once sorted, folded nicely or trimmed into useable sizes it took way less space that it did.
The rest I ruthlessly donated to the Goodwill and now its gone and if I miss it, well, I am happier having a calm, open space.
I also got rid of materials for crafts I seldom do (polymer clay, crochet, drawing) and only kept tools which take up much less space and are the most expensive bits.
I walk in my room like 3 times a day just to look.
