I know some of you are getting sweaty palms at the thought of tackling the pile or making the decision to no longer keep an item in your home, office or life. Even if you decided to donate or toss it because it is too old, the thought of it not being in your life is too much to fathom. I know your concerns, which is why I wanted my last blog of 2022 to address them so you can get rid of those items before you embrace the New Year.
Before you get started, I suggest you ask a friend to join you as you work through your stuff. Next, select one corner, shelf, drawer, box or container to purge before the end of the year. You heard me right I only want you to focus on one area not the entire room or house. Last schedule time to focus only on this project. No television or phone calls. Now that you have a friend, your items to purge and some uninterrupted time you can get started.
Following are questions I want you to ask yourself as you work through the piles:
Did I ask for this information? Ok someone you know thought the recipe, article, etc. was going to be of value to you. If it were of value you would not have shoved it in a box to be forgotten for several years. Now the items are torn and faded. Let it go!
Is this information recent enough to be current? Just recently a client wanted to keep an article about the benefits of drinking water. I asked her what was the date of the newspaper and she stated it was 2003. She proceeded to read the article and I suggested she trash it because she could get more updated information on the internet. She let it go!
Can I still fit it? The is where a good friend comes in because they can add insight as to why it is ok to donate your prom dress of 1982 to a retro shop you pass every day. Also, what about the jewelry, clothes and other trinkets from relationships that are 1, 5, 10 or more years over? I took several pieces of gold jewelry from ex-boyfriends to the pawn shop and then took the money and donated it to my local charity. I let it go!
Is it still working or useful? Whether it is a wristwatch, old VCR or Sony Walkman, if it is not working what would it cost to have the item repaired? If it cost more to repair the item than to replace it and it is not sentimental then research ways to dispose or recycle the items. I worked with a couple that was still holding on to their daughter’s (who was in her 20s) highchair. After explaining to the wife who was holding onto to it for future grandchildren that she would buy all new items when they arrived, she agreed and it was tossed. They let it go!
After reading this blog what are you thinking it is time for you to let go? Please share. If you need help schedule a 15 minute session so we can talk. If you would like to join a community of women who are on their personal journey to organize their life click the following link to my Living Life Totally Organized Facebook Group.
