Comments on: 3 Simplistic Strategies for Getting Rid of Clutter

By: sheila chandra

sheila chandra — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:55:20 +0000

A lot of times the build up of clutter is actually a build up of unmade decisions about what you really need realisitically and what do with what you don’t need. The ‘keep it just in case’ instinct is a way of avoiding making a decision. If you can get into the habit of making decisions as you go, whenever you bring something into the house, or run across a pile of clutter around something you’re using, then it tends to disappear over time.

By: eager reader

eager reader — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:30:05 +0000

Ever watch the cable show “Hoarders”? That is a wonderful incentive to de-clutter!!!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:09:29 +0000

In my case, clutter develops as a by-product of procrastination. The idea that I will sort through that later. I find that breaking the process down into smaller projects, though, helps me get it done, instead of trying to tackle it as a big project.

By: Taradelphia

Taradelphia — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:35:42 +0000

I’ve heard that people who are afraid of the future tend to hold on to possessions longer than those who don’t worry. If you have confidence in your ability to replace the object in the future, than it might be easier to get rid of that third pair of tennis sneaks in the back of the closet. I think it goes both ways, if you make room for new things to come into your life, they will.

By: ARW

ARW — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:59:17 +0000

Clothes – If you haven’t worn it in the last 6 months (or year for seasonal items like coats) get rid of it. Take it to Goodwill or a buy/sell/trade store like Buffalo Exchange or Beacon’s Closet.

CD’s – Upload everything to your computer, then go through and match all your old CD’s to the jewel cases and sell them back to your local music store like Amoeba or Second Spin.

Make it a point to do a thorough sorting/cleaning on a regular basis. Clutter is more overwhelming, the more there is. If you clean out your closet, shred your junk mail, etc. every few weeks it’s easier than trying to do it all at once.

As for sentimental items – Keep your grandmother’s jewelry or that mix CD from your first boyfriend, but remember (especially with large items like furniture) that a having or not having a material possession has nothing to do with your memory of the person who owned it or gave it to you. Just because you gave away Grandma’s dining room set or your Aunt’s collection of Snow Angels doesn’t mean you didn’t love them, it just means you have no use for extra stuff in your space.

By: MLR

MLR — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:18:42 +0000

With some items I use the “FIFO” system – First In, First Out. So my oldest stuff gets replaced by my newest. If I don’t want to part with the oldest, what is the point of the new item? That works on a lot of stuff like clothes and shoes (for me, at least).

By: G.E. Miller

G.E. Miller — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:02:49 +0000

@ Benz, Craig – yeah, just trashing it is simple, effective, and liberating. It’s tough until the item is gone and a year later you realize that you never missed it (and that’s if you even managed to remember it in the first place).

By: mewithoutdebt

mewithoutdebt — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:03:27 +0000

I agree with “Sell it, Donate it, Trash it”. If you need a basic guide to “Sell it”, I have covered a related post with recommendation for selling venues at;

http://www.mewithoutdebt.com/2009/07/clutterless-way-to-lower-your-debt.html

By: Lori Rosen

Lori Rosen — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:51:36 +0000

I run the US office of Blacksocks (www.blacksocks.com), an online sockscription service. Blacksocks is designed for busy men, who would rather use services that help streamline their time. Three pairs of socks come three times a year, automatically when you subscribe. No more wasting time searching for the missing sock, or matching socks. And face it: there is never a great time to go buy socks.

Blacksocks helps to eliminate a certain type of clutter in your life.

By: Craig

Craig — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:50:36 +0000

I am like Benz and have been throwing more stuff out lately. I like to keep things clutter free and organized and as more stuff comes in some stuff needs to move out. Only problem I have with this is with clothes, more shirts come in but I am sentimental to some older ones.