If you’re one of those people who just can seem to get rid of things, try this. Next time you’re rummaging in a drawer or closet and discover something you don’t use, pull it out and store it in a box somewhere. You don’t need to get rid of it…..just get it out of the mainstream so you’re daily life isn’t obstructed with ‘speed bumps.’ Remember that clutter makes everything take longer. Every single thing you do every day takes longer because of clutter. Clutter is household cholesterol. It’ clogging up your daily routine. So, speed up your daily life by getting unnecessary stuff out of your way.
Don’t be afraid that you’re going to forget what you have or forget where you stashed it. Have a kitchen box, bathroom box, toy box, or whatever. Make a list of what’s in the box and post it inside a cabinet or closet door and note where the box is located. That way, you’re going to remember that you have Mom’s old cast iron pot and where you put it. Then, when you’re a little stronger (or you can see that nothing serious will happen if you don’t have a particular item) you might have the courage to donate or sell some of this unused paraphernalia.
Here’s the pep talk I give myself that helps me get rid of things I don’t use and don’t really need. “It’s selfish to hang on to things that you’re not using (particularly clothes). There are people who really need (or can use) this and it’s selfish to hang on to it.” Think about that. Women in battered women’s shelters have only the clothes they were wearing when they walked in. Some of them are living there with children. In any case, there are so many worthwhile charities and organizations who can use your useful cast-offs.
Check out the website www.findthingsfast.com. It’s like Google for your stuff. It can also be an app on your phone. It tells you what you have in your house and where it’s located. If you have it on your phone and you’re in the store and see an unexpected item on sale you can ask yourself, “Do I need any of these?” Find things fast.com can tell you that you have six and that they’re in the garage. How cool is that?