What To Do With Clutter
When you are preparing to clear out clutter, it helps to know, in advance, what to do with clutter you create as you are going through your stuff.Set up a staging area:
As you are going through your stuff, designate an area in your home that you will use as your staging area for items:
- To throw:
This one is easy. Have a
good supply of garbage bags available for
this purpose. If something is clearly trash, or can not be reused or
resold, it is best to be thrown.
- To donate:
You have plenty of options
when you want to donate.
If you have a specific charity you prefer, you can ask if they pick up items, and if not, where you can deliver them.
If you have a specific charity you prefer, you can ask if they pick up items, and if not, where you can deliver them.
- To consign/sell:
You also have many options
if you choose to sell some of the items
you have decided to let go of. Consignment, e-Bay (there are places
that will sell your stuff on e-Bay if you are not excited about doing
it yourself), the classifieds...there are lots of places to sell your
things.
It may be worth consigning if you have furniture or higher priced items that you are ready to let go. Otherwise, consider simply donating your items.
It may be worth consigning if you have furniture or higher priced items that you are ready to let go. Otherwise, consider simply donating your items.
- To repair:
Sewing/tailoring
Shoe repairs, polishing, etc.
Dry cleaning
Other repairs
NOTE: It can help if you make a list, as you are creating your repair piles, of what needs to be done with each item (it will save you from having to remember later).
Shoe repairs, polishing, etc.
Dry cleaning
Other repairs
NOTE: It can help if you make a list, as you are creating your repair piles, of what needs to be done with each item (it will save you from having to remember later).
- For yard sale:
Unless you are planning a
yard sale the next weekend, it might be
better to choose another option!
I have seen people delay uncluttering for years, simply because they were not quite ready to have a yard sale. Or they didn't know what to do with clutter, so they avoided making the decision altogether.
The goal is to let the stuff go, not keep it with the hope of making a few hundred dollars from a yard sale that never happens.
I have seen people delay uncluttering for years, simply because they were not quite ready to have a yard sale. Or they didn't know what to do with clutter, so they avoided making the decision altogether.
The goal is to let the stuff go, not keep it with the hope of making a few hundred dollars from a yard sale that never happens.
Decide In Advance:
Decide in advance what to
do with clutter you find once you have
decided to get rid of it:
Call places you plan to donate, consign, sell, etc. in advance, if possible. Some will pick up items for you, and some you will need to deliver.
If at all possible, take care of all of this stuff at the end of your day. The faster it is out of your home and out of your life, the faster you will feel the benefits of clearing your clutter. The clutter clearing process is not done until the stuff is gone.
Even better, you could ask your spouse or a friend to take things for you. Ask for help when you need it... it is a great way to pamper yourself.
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