Christmas Clean Up & Decluttering

Christmas Clean Up & Declutting

Our decorations came down today. I don’t like keeping them up after Christmas long at all. It just makes me feel “cluttered”.
I LOVE them up before Christmas, but afterwards it just makes me think of all I have to do to get my house back together..and I am anxious to get things back to normal. When you pull out your Christmas bins to replace your decorations after the holidays….think about how many you didn’t use this year.

I know that each of the 4 bins that we brought up from the basement still had things in them that we didn’t put out. In the Christmas ornaments bins, there are ornaments that I usually don’t put up because they don’t really have any special memories and I don’t really care for them. So know what I did this year? I pitched them. I probably should have donated them, but some had some chips in them or just didn’t make me feel real good about donating….plus the fact that I was in “get rid of” mode.
I opened up those bins and there were items that we didn’t put out….I cleaned those out too.
It freed up some room and just made me feel good.

My advice for Christmas (or any holiday decorations) is:
1) If you haven’t used a decoration in the last 2 years….get rid of it. Pass it one to other family members, donate it or pitch it.
2) If you just don’t like a decoration and there are no special memories attached to it….get rid of it.
3) If it is broken or you can’t use it….get rid of it.

It feels good to have it done.

Decluttering

How To Decide What To get Rid Of?

Trying to decide what to get rid of is a very hard thing to do. That is why it is very helpful to use an outside person (Professional Organizer) to help you. We don’t have the attachments to the objects that you do. It is easier for us to help you make the decision based on need and not on emotions.
Here is a list that was compiled by the NAPO (National Assocation of Professional Organizers) Chat Group.
Here is a good list to read down and help you decide if you want to really keep something.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

General

*Was it a purchase mistake? (if so, it does not make it better to keep it)
*Does it take more time and effort to manage than it is worth?
*Does it make others unhappy to see it? Am I putting things before people and relationships?
*Do you need it? Is it redundant (i.e., do I really need 3 measuring spoon sets)?
*Do I love it? Does it make me happy or unhappy to see it?
*If you were moving, would you pay to have it packed and moved?
*Would you buy it again?
*Is it broken, and if so, are you ever going to fix it?
*Are you ever really going to finish this project (book, quilt, etc.)?
*Can you borrow or purchase another one, if needed, without spending a fortune or having trouble finding it?
*When’s the last time you used it (assuming you knew it was there)?
*If you knew that someone else would really benefit from having this (i.e. if you found a great place to donate it), would that make it easier for you to let it go?
*Is this adding value to your home or business?
*Is this item getting in the way of your ability to find what you need, when you need it?
*Will this help me make or save money?
*How much space does it require (the more it takes, the more critical you should be in your decision to keep it)
*If you keep it, will you remember you have it? If you remember you have it, will you be able to find it?
*Convince yourself that you need to keep it.

Paper

*Am I legally required to keep it (i.e. vital & tax records), and if so, for how long? (a topic for another whole newsletter)
*Will I actually use it/refer to it/need it?
*Is the information still current?
*Can it easily be duplicated or created if needed again (i.e. found on the web)?
*What’s the worst that can happen if you toss it?
*Is it a duplicate?

Clothes
*Is the item in good condition?…does it have stains or tears or is it too worn)?
*Is the item still in style (And no…..1980′s shoulder pads are not going to come back into style in the same exact way)?
*Do you love the item, or even like it? Does it make you feel great to wear it?
*When was the last time I used this item….Would I use it again now that I remember that I have it?
*How many do I currently own of this type of item (maybe 20 pairs of black pants are too many)?
*Does it fit? If not, is it within a reasonable number of size ranges of my current size range to keep it?

Memorabilia
*Do you have anything else that reminds you of this (event, person, time)?
*If we took a picture of it, would that make it easier for you to let it go?
*Am I keeping it because someone gave it to me and I’ll feel guilty if I get rid of it?
*Does the sentimental value exceed the practical value (if so, by all means, keep it!)

Using these guidelines can make it much easier to help you decide if you are going to part with something.