I'm drowning in clutter! Why can't I throw things away?
Question:My basement is filled with boxes of stuff - old clothes, sporting equipments, ornaments, and papers. Many of the boxes were filled when I "tidied up" in a panic when someone was coming over. I intended to empty the box and put things away properly later - years and many, many boxes later, I'm drowning in clutter. Why can't I just throw it all away? I'm not sure if there are important things in any of the boxes so, I can't just throw them away without going through them. And there are lots of things (designer clothes) that would be worth something if I could sell them. But I want to get rid of the clutter, I just feel like I can't. Any help would be greatly appreciated...
Answers:
One of the greatest obstacles that stands in the way of getting organized is being overwhelmed.
Here are five simple solutions to help you combat that feeling and start getting things done.
Stop. When you're feeling overwhelmed, it's important to take the time to stop, step back and to put yourself into solution mode. There is rarely an organizing dilemma that can't be overcome. Once you acknowledge this, you're well on your way to conquering whatever project is ahead of you.
Baby Steps. Whatever your organizing project is, it does not have to be completed in one fell swoop. Break it down into teeny-tiny baby steps. For example, instead of trying to organize your entire bedroom closet--a very overwhelming task for many people--just start by removing five articles of clothing you no longer wear, and putting them in a Donation Bag. Or, instead of trying to get 20 tasks done on your To Do list, focus on just one or two at a time.
Another possibility, is to commit to working on your project for a total of 10 minutes each day. Baby steps helps enable you to get a project started, and prevents you from getting overwhelmed so that eventually, you can complete it.
Get a little help. Whether that person is a spouse, a relative, a friend, one of your children, or a professional organizer, sometimes an outside perspective can really shed some light on the situation. Be sure to choose someone who is aggressive and pretty organized, and get some guidance on the best way to tackle the project at hand. You may even be able to get the person to physically assist to help you get through the bulk of the project.
Simplify. So many people try to take on so much in their lives, that the everyday tasks like laundry, bill paying and keeping clutter at bay, seem to be the most difficult, time-consuming projects they have. If you're constantly being pulled in ten different directions, perhaps you have to practice saying 'No' a little more often. If you're always working late at work, maybe it's because you don't delegate effectively and you try to do everything yourself. Could it be that you are always driving your kids to one activity after another? If so, have you thought about limiting their activities a bit? Simplifying other areas of your life, can often help you get the everyday things organized with less stress.
Take time for you. Designate 'time' rewards for your accomplishments. Time rewards are batches of time you use just for YOU. When you complete a mini-goal, such as organizing a shelf in your office, shredding that pile of papers you've been meaning to recycle or weeding out one of your kitchen cabinets, give yourself a minimum 15-minute time reward. You might just relax in your favorite outdoor chair while listening to the birds sing, or perhaps you can take a walk and enjoy the fresh air. Basically, your day should be filled with mini-goals and rewards for yourself.
Have a few friends you trust to come over and help you sort thru the clutter, throwing out trash, keeping important papers, etc. and putting up in a proper place, and have a yard sale of things no longer wanted and split the money with your friends as thanks for their help.
Ever hear the words Yard Sale just go through your old stuff sell the stuff you can at a yard sale and through the rest out. It might be fun to clean up your clutter this way, worked for me, made over $300 dollars and I thought I just had a bunch of junk in boxes down ther
Good luck and Fare well
I find it hard to throw things out as well. So I have a system that I work to now.
I look at something and think "have I used this in the last 6 months" or "how will this benefit me in the future" and although it is hard at the time, I try to put it out of my head. Only once or twice have I gone looking for something that I have thrown out.
My cousin once told me "little and often", it worked for her. For me, it is little and a little less often than it should, but it does work. Most of the things you will forget about, there will always be something that you will look for, but don't let it put you off.
Flylady.com is the BEST site for people drowning in clutter. It really has great ideas for ways to get organized without the pain.
Because you're hanging on to the past and can't let go. Now go toss out the boxes. If you haven't needed them in a year, you're not going to. Suck it up buttercup!
Just tackle one small corner of the basement at a time. Make piles: ~throw out ~ charity ~ keep ~ sell. Take your time, don't put any pressure on yourself, and little by little, a clean uncluttered basement will appear. According to Feng Shui principles, when you get rid of clutter, you're making way for lovely, new things to enter your life! More tips and advice on handling clutter on this webpage:
http://www.moonslipper.com/cleanupclutte...
OK, take a deeeep breath and calm down. I know it all seems so overwhelming, but you can do it.
It just might take some time. Have some empty boxes available, label them, "Trash", "Goodwill",
"Consignment store", "Yard Sale", and if you have some stuff you know other family members would want, a box labeled "Family", and of course, "Keep".
Then go through the filled boxes one by one, take your time carefully sorting your stuff, deciding where you want it to go, and put them in the proper boxes. When a box is full take it to its destination, and bring the box back to refill.
What ever you do, don't try to do this all at once, you WILL get overwhelmed. Try a box or two at a time, if you feel you can do more then go ahead.
I am a pack rat of the first degree. I had to have a friend come over and actually pry useless things from my hands. I'm getting over it now, I'm much better at giving away and throwing away things I don't need or use.
The general rule is, if you haven't even thought about it the last 3-5 years, then you can do with out it.
Another general rule, however is, as soon as you get rid of it you will need it. Ack.
Take your time and good luck.
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