It’s safe to say that most of us would like our lives to be less cluttered than they actually are. Yet when it comes to sorting through our personal belongings and getting rid of what we don’t need, most of us get stuck.
Plus new – minus old
It is worth living in one place for at least a year, as it becomes obvious that the collection of things is growing uncontrollably, and we are not talking only about the wardrobe – household appliances, little things that are meant to be useful in the household one day, decorative items… Such “wealth” becomes more and more over time. If the process has long been out of control, try to arm yourself with a popular principle: if you want to bring a new thing into the house – get rid of at least one old one. Even if for the sake of a new blouse you have sacrificed only a magnet from the refrigerator.
Get rid of duplicates
Just as smartphone apps have learned to search for duplicate photos in the device’s memory, it’s important for you to learn to spot duplicate functions in objects. Perhaps you have two hair dryers because the new one was a gift, or four frying pans that can be used to trace your family tree. If you like to cook on two at once, no problem, but if three of the four are idle… You know what to do.
Check the box of “too bad to throw away” items
Many people find it difficult to decisively get rid of trash that for some reason evokes an emotional response. This could be a “favorite” calendar from last year, a memorable pen that no longer writes, a movie ticket. Some things do have significant stories associated with them, but if your collection clearly resembles a trash can, this is a reason to reconsider the value of some of the “exhibits.”
Check under the bed and closets
The space under the bed or under cabinets on legs is traditionally classified as “out of sight, out of mind.” If you put things there for storage, you can be sure that “amnesia” will occur over time. Experts advise dividing any items of dubious value into three categories: “sell,” “give away,” and “throw away.” Storing does not solve the problem, but only leads to clutter.
Thin out the library
A pulp novel that you skimmed over on vacation and a collector’s edition are completely different things by their nature. While the latter will become a decoration of your home library, the former will hardly ever be useful to you. In the end, you can try to donate any books to the library or get rid of them using the bookcrossing system. By the way, the thought that someone might find a book you don’t need interesting and useful can motivate you to more thoroughly sort out your collection.
Remember the pantry
On the one hand, a pantry is an ideal place for unnecessary things. However, disorder, even in places we don’t see every day, has not only a practical but also a psychological significance – a quality cleaning will help to achieve clarity of mind and peace of mind. Before you start the process, try to revive the pantry in your memory and remember the useful things stored there. Anything that didn’t come to mind should be gotten rid of first.
Try on the shoes
Old shoes, due to the season, often stay with us for many years, so if you decide to update the model, do not send the old pair to the far shelf – you will no longer need it. If you find it difficult to decide which shoes are still suitable for wearing, do not be lazy and try them on, having first brought them to a “marketable” appearance. Consider that everything that does not fit well is already ready for sale. Shoes that are hopeless can be sent for recycling. And some stores are even willing to provide a discount for an old pair.
Check expiration dates
Everything with an expiration date should be thoroughly inspected, from canned goods to cosmetics. You’d be surprised how much you can throw away without regretting it with a simple freshness check. The freezer deserves a separate inspection – despite the ability of negative temperatures to extend shelf life, they do not become eternal. And if there are so many products that you have lost your bearings in the assortment, try to go a week or two without shopping to deplete the supplies a little.