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by Bobgardenman on December 23rd, 2009

Bobgardenman

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Are you free of clutter. Try to get rid of thinks not used but am loosing the battle.

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  • by justagearhead on March 15th, 2010

    justagearhead

    I don't know if this will help you but it works for me. A little background is that my father was born during the Great Depression and was raised in Locker TX where there was no money and few supplies. As a result he horded everything and was a pack rat.

    For myself, I go through everything I own at least once and usually twice a year during a Spring and Fall cleaning. If I have not used an object or looked at it in at least that amount of time I weigh the cost of having it on the following basis:

    1. Is this a family heirloom or something with a sentimental tie?
    2. If so, do I really want it or is there another family member who could or would like it more?
    3. If not an heirloom or collectable, say a tool or supply. Will I really use this in the future or is there someone else who could benifit from it?
    4. If I get rid of this and do end up needing it, what will be the cost to rent or purchase this agian?
    5. Is this some type of chemical that may have a shelf life that has passed?
    6. Is this just garbage?

    I had the task of going through all of my father's possesions when he passed which was a 2 story barn, a 4 car garage, and several smaller buildings (I left the house for my mom to go through which is a 2000 Sq Ft rambler). I sent 5 30 yard dumpsters to the dump, 5 or 6 truck loads to recycle, about 10 full size truck loads (and I mean loaded) to goodwill, and kept enough to fill 1/4 of the 2 story barn for sorting latter. The leftovers I am still going through a little at a time and I ask myself all of these questions while I am sorting. I have also gotten rid of about 5 truck loads of stuff from my house by convincing my wife that this is a good practice. We have a healthier household as a result. It amazed both of us at how much dust, mold, and dead bugs were in boxes of stuff that she had been holding onto and hadn't touched since 2005 when we moved.

    I can't tell you how much doing this helps keep our house free of clutter. Both of us have our collectables and sentimentals still; we just have less clutter all around as a result of coming to terms with what we really want and need. An interesting development of this is less stress and anxiety in the house. We don't feel overwhelmed at stuff that is piled up, stuffed in a corner, on the top shelf of a closet, etc. It also makes it easier to clean your house thoroughly.

    Good luck.

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