I shared a Facebook post recently where the writer was suggesting a decluttering plan whereby one would throw out stuff everyday for a month, starting with one item on the first day, 2 items on the second day, 3 on the third, and so on. I said I thought it was a good idea.
A friend commented that by the end of the month I would probably have thrown out everything I own! Well yes, I agree that it was a bit too much to aim for!
So I’ve modified it slightly. I will attempt to throw out just ONE item each day, from here on, until I feel I’ve successfully decluttered my life. Of course I’ll have to balance that with not buying more stuff, or at least giving considerable thought to any new purchases: “do I really need it”. (note: ‘need’ not ‘want’).
Of course ‘throw out’ doesn’t mean consigning things thoughtlessly to the rubbish bin. There are categories and I have established a box for each in the spare room:
- can go to the op shop
- can be composted or burned in the fire
- can be given away
- can go in the recycling bin
- can be repurposed
- can be sold (local market, eBay, etc)
- and, last resort, can go into the rubbish
(Other suggestions welcome!)
I’m having a lot of fun with it. It’s easy at the moment, because there’s a lifetime of stuff in cupboards and drawers to be considered. Amazing how much accumulates over the years and how tastes and interests change as we grow older.
Do I really need that collection of rocks and minerals? It was an interest when I studied geology years ago, but not now.
A shoebox full of postage stamps, still on paper. Nothing valuable (it wouldn’t be there if it was). A good freebie, for eBay or Gumtree. Maybe the neighbour’s kids would be interested? (do kids collect stamps anymore?)
A pile of 3″ floppy discs. Today’s computers don’t even come with 3″ disc drives. Can someone suggest a use for those?
The kitchen cupboards are a minefield. Old rusty cake tins. I don’t bake cakes much anymore and anyway I have a couple of new non-stick ones now. Pots and pans and all the gear we used to take camping. Camping days are over. Just rummaging through the kitchen cupboards will keep me going in throwouts for a year.
Try it. You might enjoy it, too.
Foodnstuff 