Unknown Boxes

Why do we agonize over boxes of stuff that have been stored for years?  If we haven't looked in them for 10 years, can't they just disappear from our lives? 

I quote from Don Aslett's book, Clutter Free:
"...why do we feel that this stuff...is owed such care and effort and reverence?"

I guess it's because when we go through it and find our dried corsage, drawings from a neice or nephew, a wooden spoon rack we made in shop class, it flashes back memories from a forgotten era, bringing with it good feelings.  We don't want to let that go, so we can't just junk a box without looking through it.  What is an alternative?  Going through boxes is fine, but perhaps take photos of the items and then give or throw the junk away. 

Half the Battle

We've discussed this before, but half the battle of becoming clutter-free is not bringing more junk into the house! Question whether that free or priced knick knack, souvenir, or extra whatever is really something that will enhance your decor, or will it sit around and be more work for you to clean around?  Will you still like it after a month or will it be shoved in a drawer?

Keep out the worthless!

Does It Work?

I'm working toward this mantra: 

Don't own anything that doesn't work.

I need to either make a date to have the item fixed or toss it.  Today, my broken umbrella is being discarded.  It was embarrassing when a guest borrowed it and didn't know it was broken.  I have researched how to fix it, but realize my time isn't worth the memory or effort.  The way to possibly fix it would be very complicated for me. 

Laundry Area

On Sundays, I give you an area to look for clutter.  See what you can get rid of in your laundry area.

Junk Judging Guidelines

From Don Aslett's Clutters Last Stand, I list these guidelines:

It is junk if:
1.  It's broken or obsolete
2.  You've outgrown it, physically or emotionally
3.  You've always hated it
4.  It's the wrong size, wrong color, or wrong style
5.  Using it is more bother than it's worth
6.  It wouldn't really affect you if you never saw it again
7.  It generates bad feelings
8.  You have to clean it, store it, and insure it (but don't get much use or enjoyment out of it)
9.  It will shock, bore, or burden the coming generation

Be ruthless in your decluttering at times, especially if you have piles.  You will feel so much more free!

"Roots of Clutter: Indecision"

I am borrowing these quotes from Don Aslett, written in his book Clutter Free:  Finally and Forever! 

"People who collect clutter also have trouble making decisions.  When you can't decide what to do with something, you put it to the side and put off the decision process--and the clutter accumulates."

"This is one of the reasons dejunking is emotionally tiring--we have to make ALL of those decisions NOW, one right after the other.  It'll be a lot easier on you if you start today to train yourself to do it on a one-by-one basis--the minute a questionable item first crosses your threshold or comes into your hand."

Does this describe any of us?  What can we do to improve?

Pull It All Out

Lesson learned from the last school year:  don't leave chocolate in your storage cabinet.  I spent a good bit of time yesterday cleaning out mouse droppings from my cabinet.  In order to do so, I pulled everything out and sorted it, filling up a trash can of junk.  Having a huge mess lying all over the floor helped me be more ruthless in dejunking.  I then organized and repackaged items that were still needed.  Having less stuff allowed me to free up extra space for the inevitable stash that will accumulate by next spring; no chocolate though!  (That will stay in my desk drawer for easy access!)