| Changing our mindset about "stuff" can be very helpful. Be grateful you have been able to enjoy your things and think about the joy they can bring to others. And ask yourself if it’s worth your time to try and sell things. Most of us know the market for “stuff” is very soft. As we age, time is our most valuable commodity. Be generous and feel good about donating what you can.
Q: Tips on getting rid of stuff? There are no silver bullets here. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Be kind to yourself and know it took time to acquire things. It will take time to let them go.
First, set up a workspace with four boxes labeled: family, sell, donate and trash. As you sort, ask yourself: “do I need it or use it, does my family want it, can I borrow it, would I buy it again, does it reflect the lifestyle I want to have now.”
If you answered no, then it goes into the donate box! Be ruthless and only handle things once. Remember, there is no “Maybe” box for a reason.
Here are some easy projects to get you started: toss all the old plastic containers, sort socks and only keep pairs, let go of magazines older than three months, clean out your purse, recycle encyclopedias, toss out of date food, donate all the extra coffee mugs, toss chipped dished, clean out your car, etc.
I suggest scheduling 15 minutes a day on your calendar so, you are not overwhelmed. Doing a little bit every day will start to create a habit that makes the process much more manageable. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish! |
