CLEARING AWAY THE CLUTTER

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If you lived in a place with infinite space, had a live-in maid, and were independently wealthy, you could consider your clutter a charming quirk, an amusing oversight. But I suspect that your clutter has become a pain and threatens to stress you out even more. De-cluttering can seem overwhelming. It’s only a matter of time before you feel like you’re lost in your clutter. You need help. You’re ready to start. But where? The following sections walk you through the de-cluttering process.

Bust those clutter excuses

If you’re going to war with clutter, it’s important to know exactly what the enemy looks like. Here are ten reasons why people hang onto stuff. At times, giving up your prized possessions is harder than pulling teeth. When pressed, you may vigorously defend your decision to hold onto some small thing. All the following excuses contain at least a sliver of truth. And all guarantee that after your funeral, your relatives will hold the world’s biggest garage sale. See if you can recognize some of your favorite clutter excuses.

“Someday I’ll need it.” This clutter excuse can be compelling. After all, you might need it someday. This is where your “what-if-ing” comes into play. The odds of your actually needing this are probably very small. That unread article or outdated computer cord will most likely never be reused. Do a cost-benefit analysis and ask yourself: “Aren’t I better off just getting rid of this stuff rather than keeping it on the very unlikely chance that I may use it?”

 “It was a present for my ninth birthday.” This is your sentimental clutter. Anything that reminds you of your past or has sentimental value can be tough to let go. This category of clutter can include every piece of artwork you or your child brought home from school. It can include every playbill from every play you have seen and every picture that was ever taken of you. Create a scrapbook of selected items, letting the rest go. Better yet, scan into your computer all the items you want to save and keep only a select few original items. If you don’t have a scanner, take pictures. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?

“Somebody will want to buy this.” Good luck with this one! If I’m wrong and this treasure has eager buyers, list it on eBay or find another way to sell it. But make the decision: “I will put this up for sale now, or I will give it away, or I will chuck it.”

 “I’m sure I’ll find the matching one.” Usually this excuse is for orphaned socks or gloves. If you haven’t found the matching item in three months, let it go. Besides, everybody knows that washing machines eat socks.

“Yes, it’s broken, but it can be fixed.” Fix it, give it away, or throw it out. These days it will probably cost you more to fix something electronic than to replace it, but if you feel it can be reasonably repaired, commit to locating a repair service this week.

 “If I just lose 30 pounds, I’ll fit into this.” I certainly hope you will lose that weight (I know you can do it!), but for many people this is a difficult task. Why not keep a few items of clothing that you absolutely love and donate all the rest? After you’ve shed those pounds, you can reward yourself with some serious shopping for smart new togs.

“My kids will want to give it to their kids.” My experience with my kids is that they rarely relish getting old stuff from us. Ask them if they would like these objects. If they say yes, ask them to take possession of them now. If your kids are very young, don’t hold your breath.

“I got it on sale.” This is your bargain clutter. It’s hard to resist a good deal. Half-price sale? No problem! Buy one get one free? Let’s do it! Shopping at the big-box stores can be a trap. When you see something on sale, it becomes hard to resist. And if you buy it, it’s hard to get rid of because it was a bargain. What you want to avoid is impulse buying. If you’re seduced by a “bargain,” whether you see it online, in print, or in a store, stop and ask yourself some pertinent questions:

1.“Do I really need this?”

2.“Would I ever buy this if it weren’t on sale?”

3.“Do I have a place to put this?”

If possible, give yourself time to reflect on whether you really think this is a smart purchase. Most sales give you some wiggle room to think before you buy. If the idea still seems right the next day, and you’re still determined to buy it, go ahead. If you’re in a store and it’s now or never, do your other shopping first, and then ask yourself the three questions above. If the answer is “no” to any of these, take a pass. Even if you regret not making the purchase later on, you’ll almost always have a second chance to buy it at a bargain price. And if you’re still paralyzed with indecision, get another opinion from someone who knows you well.

 “It will be a collector’s item one day.” If you’ve ever watched those Antiques Roadshow programs on PBS, you know that one man’s garbage can be another man’s treasure. Alas, the truth is, one man’s garbage is usually another man’s clutter. Get an objective appraisal from a trusted, neutral source. If the item is worth something, sell it now.

“I plan on reading this.” This is the excuse that keeps you from ever throwing out a book you haven’t read or that newspaper, magazine, or article you hope to read one day but probably never will. If you haven’t read it by a reasonable time, you probably won’t. Give your books to the school or library rummage sale. Your shelves will thank you. If an article is important to you, scan it and put it in an organized digital file.

Copyright © Allen Elkin Phd – Originally appeared in Stress Management for Dummies 2nd edition by Allen Elkin