Tag: declutter

Know When to Purge Your Possessions

Posted on by Jordank

Do you feel like you’ve outgrown your home because of all the #stuff inside it? Do you wonder if leasing a storage unit, buying a new set of shelves or organizers, or putting more things in the garage or basement is the answer?

Do you have trouble finding your wallet, keys or important documents? Do you ever set things down in the kitchen or on the dining room table only to search for them again in five minutes? Have you ever bought anything again when you couldn’t find the original?

Does the thought of others seeing the piles of stuff inside your home make you not want to have people over? Does all of that extra stuff get in the way of routine housecleaning tasks, making your home look dusty, dirty or unhealthy?

Do you have a #closet that’s bursting with stuff or a #junk drawer, or is every closet and drawer in your home like that? Are there parts of the home that are just too crowded to use? Do you find your home to be a relaxing sanctuary, or do you feel anxious, overwhelmed, distracted or depleted?

If you answered yes (or YES!) to any of these questions, you might need to do a complete #purge and #decluttering. All of that stuff is getting in the way of your life.

“There’s a whole body of research that shows how #clutter can actually negatively impact our moods and levels of stress,” says Minimalists Managed. “Clutter can make day-to-day life even harder [and] more difficult to manage when we’re surrounded by too much stuff.”

You can’t go on like this! Pick a single room, closet, drawer or shelf and start #decluttering. Sort goods into #keep, #donate and #trash piles; put the keepers where they belong and the trash into the bin. It isn’t easy to get started, but success in one area can help you move to others.

When you collect enough lightly used items to #donate (it will happen fast), put them in boxes and bags and contact ClothingDonations.org for a #free #donation #pickup. Those items will be resold to benefit the nation’s #veterans, while you gain a new, #clutter-free lease on life.

The more you #declutter, the more calm and fulfilled you will feel. Do yourself a favor and get started today!

Why Storing Your Extra Stuff Isn’t Always the Answer

Posted on by Jordank

Storage is big business. A wide variety of “storage solutions” on the market promise to help you #organize your #stuff by purpose and season, from the underbed box of out-of-season sweaters to the huge green bins designed to hold holiday lights and decorations.

What’s more, about 10% of U.S. households lease a #storage unit to contain bins, boxes, boats, cars and other #things they just can’t cram into their current homes. Self-storage is a $44 billion industry in the U.S., and it’s growing fast.

But storage is rarely the answer to one’s #decluttering and #organizing needs. “Just because it’s out of sight doesn’t mean it’s out of mind,” says Miss Minimalist. “Your clutter is still there, hanging over your head, piled beneath your feet, lurking in the dark corners of your home.”

#Storage systems can help people #organize. You #sort items into a brand-new box or bin, label it and put it on a shelf. If you return to that bin knowing that it holds what you’re looking for, so much the better! But if you don’t, all you’ve done is hide your junk.

The same goes for a self-storage unit. You likely overestimated the value of the goods stored and/or the likelihood of using those things again. And you’ll do anything to avoid making a decision about that stuff, including continuing to pay the monthly fee.

Self-storage units can be useful in the short term if you’re transitioning between homes or downsizing. But most units are just a replacement for #decluttering. Reconsider renting if you don’t really need most of what you want to put in there.

“Because your #clutter is stored in an off-site location, there’s a greater chance you just won’t bother dealing with it,” says Garage Living. “Before you know it, years will have passed, the #junk in your storage unit will collect more dust, [and] your bank account will be emptier.”

Before you waste money on a bunch of new organizers or a self-storage unit, #declutter. Figure out what you aren’t using now and how likely that is to change. Reduce the sentimental items to only most treasured and put them in a truly safe place.

Then, contact ClothingDonations.org for a #free #donation #picukup. On the appointed day, a driver will pick up the things you no longer need and help you reclaim space in your cleaner, more streamlined home.

Be the Genius Behind the Garage Sale

Posted on by Jordank

Now that you’ve celebrated #America’s #250th birthday, it’s time to get serious with your summer #organizing and #decluttering and finally get rid of some of the extra #stuff that’s just getting in the way of living your best life — and make a little extra cash while you’re at it.

That’s right: It’s time for a #garage or #yard sale. There’s no better way to recoup some of the #money you’ve spent on #clothing that doesn’t fit, disused #housewares and appliances, and forgotten sporting goods than to throw open the garage door and slap a price tag on them.

The good news? Lots of people are out enjoying warm weather and looking for good deals. The bad news? It does take some effort — and thought — to host a good garage sale. Elevate yours to a must-shop by observing a few genius ideas.

First, #cull through your merchandise. Anything with flaws — clothes with holes, chipped dishes, inflatables that don’t hold air — should be fixed or thrown away. Don’t waste your time pricing anything that’s not in usable condition; toss it or put it in a “FREE” box.

Next, #curate the items you sell. Put knickknacks together in one place, kitchen stuff in another and tools in another. Sort clothing by gender, age, color and season and media by category. If you have furniture or other large items for sale, put them on the parkway for easy pickup or make a flyer with pictures.

Price all items fairly. Your trash may be someone else’s treasure, but your goal is to reduce the volume of your stuff and make a few bucks, not to gouge people for your castoffs. What would you pay if you wanted whatever it is?

Finally, advertise. You don’t have to spend money on a classified ad — do those still exist? But do make large, colorful, easy-to-read signs with directional arrows and include the times, dates and address.

“Put them up early on the day before your sale so people see them coming home from work,” says Instructables. “The more people come to your sale, the better you will do, so do what it takes to get them there.”

Hosting a garage sale isn’t rocket science, but paying attention to a few details goes a long way. And to make the #purge complete, you can #donate any leftovers to ClothingDonations.org by scheduling a #pickup after your sale. Happy #decluttering!

Does Dad Need a Professional Organizer?

Posted on by Jordank

Does #Dad really need another tie or pair of shoes? #Father’s Day gifts don’t have to add to the #clutter. Tickets to experiences such as concerts and sporting events can treat him while adding nothing to the amount of #stuff stored in the home (assuming he resists buying a lot of souvenirs), and his favorite consumables can be good options, too. Or you can give the gift of #organization, says Just Organized. Many of a typical #dad’s favorite spaces — the garage, workshop, mancave and home office — tend to be dumping grounds for all kinds of #junk that could be #decluttered and #organized. Help him yourself or hire a professional; he won’t forget it! #FathersDay

Start Downsizing While Parents Still Have Their Health

Posted on by Jordank

The best time to have a conversation about #decluttering and #downsizing with a parent is long before you need to, says Reader’s Digest — when they are still healthy, independent and not in the middle of a move. That way, they can decide where the most meaningful items will go in a more directed, yet theoretical way. Avoid using words that subtly undermine the value of their lives’ possessions such as “#trash” or “#junk,” and instead use words such as “preserve,” “repurpose” and “donate” to help them let go. Start by asking which items matter to them most — it may not be what you think. #FathersDay