neat Tip Of the Week
Children's clothing is much smaller, use smaller hangers to maximize space
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by Clare Kumar
In Part 1, we took a look at why we are compelled to hold onto things that aren’t really serving the life we currently live. Here are five tips to help let things go.
1. Find “out paths”
Knowing exactly where things can go can make letting go a lot easier. Find the local charity store that you can drop off too easily. If you have kids, find others a couple years younger than yours to hand clothes down to. It feels fantastic every time I see my friend’s children in my kid’s former clothes. Hold a clothing swap where everyone shows up and exchanges unwanted garments and accessories.
Scout out consignment stores for clothes and furniture that can generate cash. Don’t forget to use online communities like craigslist or ebay to help match willing adopters for your unwanted items. Garage sales can also generate cash but do require a considerable amount of time and energy.
2. Document the item
When you can’t afford the space for something, consider photographing it and creating a treasure album. Photo books created online take up even less room than traditional photo albums. Annotate the photo with a story about the person or event to bring even more of the memory back. When we had to leave my childhood home, I toured each room with a video camera before we started packing and had music playing in the background. It’s amazing how something so small brings back years in that home.
3. Make a donation
For unique items of value it can take a bit of effort to find the right home, but it is certainly worth it. One client’s old fur coats were given new life at a school for performing arts.
4. Give yourself permission
Give yourself permission to create a home that serves your life. This is especially important with the items that we feel we “should” keep out of respect for someone else. I worked with one client who felt she had to keep a piece of furniture given to her by a friend. It took one short but brave phone call to ask if it was alright to give it a new home. Not only did the friend immediately agree, she had completely forgotten about the item.
5. Make it a habit
Practice letting go regularly and it will become more natural to you. Consider implementing a one in, one out ruleso that you maintain balance. Schedule time to edit items - perhaps with the change of seasons or before birthdays or holidays when gifts are exchanged.
Now organizing is not about anyone telling you what should have meaning and what doesn’t. That is very personal and only up to you. I have items in every one of the above categories. The one thing I am sure of is that I feel lighter every time I have made a trip to my local charity, walked clothes to my friend’s place or brought books into the library.
Where are you on the letting go continuum? And what do you do when you have trouble letting go? Send me your thoughts at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
