What No One Ever Told You About Decluttering
Ever been on the receiving end of a loved one saying “What are you holding on to that thing for? Just throw it out!”? As unwelcome as this statement might be, it tends to come out of frustration, over a noble effort: clearing a cluttered area.
The problem is, the focus is simply on making you throw everything out, when it’s not all junk. A more effective approach is to divide-and-conquer, or more accurately, ask-why-and-conquer.
Ask why and conquer.
The strategy of divide and conquer has been around since Philip of Macedon’s rule in 359 BC and it works wonders on decluttering today. The question is, what’s the most effective way to divide clutter?
By simply asking why you keep something, you will more easily choose the appropriate location to keep it. We don’t ask why as a challenge to toss. We ask why, because you can keep (or get rid of) the same items for different reasons. Here are two examples.
Books
Some books you want to make a point of reading. Those might make sense on a nightstand or wherever you are most comfortable reading. Some books are for reference and should go on a bookshelf, with the most vital ones at eye level. If you are keeping a book because it is a collectible, then condition matters and it should be stored out of the sunlight. Books kept purely for sentimental value can be stored more remotely. Books that you are done with can be donated or sold, depending on condition and value.
Different why’s mean different where’s.
Old Computers
It is rare that we work with a client who doesn’t have at least one old computer in her garage or basement. The reason for that is, although she is clear that she wants to get rid of it, she is not clear why. If you are hoping to trade in your old computer, you need to bring it back inside, so you can hook it up and erase your information. Also, you need to contact a company like Tiger Direct for shipping information. If you just want to donate it, there are lots of worthy organizations. Here’s one. If you just want to trash it, don’t let the hard drive stop you. Information can simply be destroyed with a power drill or hammer. Don’t forget the goggles! Most recycling centers these days make it easier than ever to dispose e-waste like computers.
By making allowances for all of these possibilities, you open up more options then to simply toss and you can feel good about your choices. Ironically, I have found that clients are more inclined to toss when they have made informed choices about what we keep, donate, and sell.
Don’t keep something just because you always have and don’t toss something just because someone else wants you to. Ask why and conquer.
How did you know I had an old computer in my garage? Thanks for the incentive to donate it!
Thanks you for the information on what to do with old computers. I have computers and other electronics that are collecting dust because I don’t want to trash something that still works. Donating them is a better option.
Some cities and certain stores (ex. Staples) have recycling programs for electronics. Community centres and universities are good places to enquire as well, either for donations or recycling/reuse (sometimes to underprivileged areas or countries).
Thanks. Good information to share. Not knowing options is one of the biggest obstacles to decluttering.