Everyone wants to “get organized” for the new year. I don’t want to get organized. I used to think that was what I wanted, but then I realized something: how sad is it that I have so much stuff that it seems to require inordinate amounts of time to organize it? I don’t want my stuff to control me. I would rather have less of it to control.
So this week is going to be a week of paring down. I love what flylady says (my paraphrase): if you don’t need it, use it, or love it, toss it!1 What a great philosophy, taken at any level.
I used to think we were alright about this. I mean, we don’t make a lot of money. We don’t buy a lot of stuff. But still, just by being American, we have so much! Looking around my house, I’ve realized that we are wasting a lot of space due to “storage.” Well, I don’t want to store things anymore. I want to use them. If I can’t use them, I want to give them to someone who can.
So today, I want to encourage you to go through that one drawer or shelf that is just brimming with stuff that doesn’t have a place to go. Take your time, going through each item thoroughly and honestly. Ask each item one question: Do you earn your keep, or do you need to be evicted?
Nothing gets a free ride, right? You don’t work, you don’t eat. Or, in this case, you don’t get to take up space in someone’s house. Be firm. Your item is earning its shelf space if it:
- gives you joy
- makes your life easier
- is a necessary part of your home
Otherwise, hit the road, Jack.
- And I don’t mean toss it, literally. Giving it away, recycling it, or even selling it are all good choices. [↩]
Stumble it!
I used to LOVE “things”. The cute stuff that you can put up on your shelf. And I still do…but I’m turning into a “Less Dusting means More Freedom!” kind of person. Only the best of the best of the trinkets for me. And the fewer the better. So they have to be really, really worth it. (The flylady is great, by the way!)