Ten tips for clearing the clutter
“I need to get organized!”
How often have you said that?
It happens to the best of us. You’re fed up with the unused exercise machine, the broken blender that you will never get around to fixing, and those t-shirts that are just not up to par but that just can’t seem to part with.
So what do you do?
You gather it all up and take it to storage. Whether your storage area is in the basement, an attic, the backyard shed, or a rented unit, chances are it’s filled with things you do not really want or need.
I am not suggesting that we tackle cleaning out your storage here — that’s a discussion for another day. The first step is to stop yourself from creating any more clutter. So the next time you feel the need to add something to storage, stop and ask yourself these ten questions first.
Do you need it?
This sounds simple, right? But how each of us answer is very individual. If you are making an effort to cut back on clutter, try to get real about what “need” means to you. Whether you decide to take a strict minimalist approach or keep a more fluid list of items you need for living as well as those items you cherish for emotional reasons, defining what is important to you is the first step in preventing clutter.
Do you like it?
Just because you’ve been saving the same decorations from year to year doesn’t mean you must keep doing it. Really look at each item you are considering storing, and ask yourself, “Does this still suit my style as much now as it did when I purchased it”? Tastes evolve, and you will love your home more if you allow yourself to let go of things that just aren’t doing it for you.
Does it work?
Let’s get back to that blender! Don’t let your basement become the place where broken things go to die. It’s so easy to let that happen, telling yourself, “I’ll fix it one of these days.” If you didn’t fix it right away, it’s probably not worth keeping.
Is it clean?
Do you really need those 20 or so stained t-shirts? When storing clothing and textile items, clean and package them to prevent moths and other critters from finding a new home in your storage. And don’t forget those tools and outdoor equipment that you might put away for the season. Scrub those up before storing as well.
Do you already have something like it?
If you already have a similar item, do you need this one? Keeping multiples of certain items can be helpful, but only if you are intentional about it. All too often, we keep buying similar things hoping to find the just-right version of it. Choose the best example (or two), and get rid of the rest.
Is it yours?
It’s amazing how much stuff we can accumulate from others. If you are storing the item in question for a relative or child, consider setting a limit and giving the item back rather than continuing to let it take up valuable space in your home.
Do you know what or who you are saving it for?
When you start saving things — whether for yourself, your children, or your grandchildren — making decisions about what to keep can be quite a challenge. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
—The space the item takes up. A small amount of carefully chosen and properly stored items can be far more meaningful (and welcome) than an attic’s worth of overstuffed, unlabeled boxes. When you have a choice to make about which items to save, if all else is equal, go with the smaller ones.
—Proper labeling. Tucking in a note about where each piece came from or why it is important to you can also help pass along stories to the next generation. And if you are saving articles of clothing or toys for a future child, store items by age, and write the age range on the outside of the box.
—Photo books. While a book certainly can’t replace everything, for certain artifacts (for instance, crumbling preschool sculptures), it might be even more special to photograph the items and arrange the photos in a book that also tells the backstory.
Is it the right container for the job?
Buying containers is best left for last. It’s a lot easier and less expensive to get rid of something you don’t need than to buy a container for it. Keeping like items together will make it much easier to find things, so stick with a container that just fits what you need to store; otherwise, you will be tempted to fill it with unrelated items.
Is that the best place to store it?
Some items, like holiday decorations, have a very clear period of use each year, making it easy to store these things in the deeper recesses of your storage area. The need for other items, like toys and books currently out of rotation in your child’s room or special project supplies, might arise less predictably, so store things like that in a spot that’s easier to reach.
Do you know how you will find it when you need it?
Storing related boxes together can make retrieving items much easier: holiday boxes, summer gear, winter clothing, etc. Clearly label each box and bin. And if you have a large storage space, consider making a storage map that shows what is in each storage zone.
When you have addressed the clutter in your home, it is much easier to address the “clutter” in your health and lifestyle. So let’s de-clutter!
