Baskets, bins and boxes are meant to make you more organized. In fact, they have the opposite effect. What I learned over the last 10 years of downsizing is that storage containers made me an organized hoarder. Ok…hoarder is probably not the right word but I owned very neatly contained stuff. Lots of it!
Moving from an apartment to our starter home only masked my clutter problem because I could no longer see what we amassed in just two years. We installed cabinets to hide clutter. Most of these additions are now empty. I purchased furniture and fixtures I’d rather donate than dust. Turns out, our starter home is really spacious without a bunch of stuff we don’t need. 20 years later, we still live here.
Over the years, I acquired a lot of things. I still feel like I own too much. At one time or another, I contributed to the statistic estimating there are 300,000 items in the average American home.
During my former life, weekends were spent purchasing, organizing and cleaning. Rinse and repeat. I am now ruthless in my efforts to donate and sell unnecessary items. And I’ve learned that storage containers simply perpetuate clutter collection. Which brings me to today’s challenge…..
Decluttering and Downsizing Day 5:
- Identify 3 containers you haven’t opened in a while. Big or small.
- Empty the containers. One at a time. Go through the contents. Item by item.
- Apply the 90 day rule to each item.
- Have I used it in the last 90 days?
- Will I use it in the next 90 days?
- If NO – Add the item to a donate box, recycle bin or trash can.
- If Yes – Return lost items to their proper home.
Do you have 3 empty containers? Maybe 1 or 2? GREAT! Donate them as well. Prevent the clutter boomerang effect. Clutter is attracted to baskets and bins.
Perhaps this challenge is too easy? If so, consider a piece of furniture such as an armoire, desk or cabinet. If you can reduce the contents inside, could you remove the furniture too?
Eliminating furniture is a foolproof way to make your home feel more spacious and inviting.
How many clutter collecting containers will you eliminate today?
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