How to Get Rid of Belongings, Declutter and Downsize
Whether moving to a smaller home or reorganizing to make more room in your current home, sorting through and downsizing a lifetime's worth of belongings is a daunting task. When items represent memories, people have a hard time differentiating between wants and needs. With a few handy hints and a little guidance, the process of organizing and downsizing can be easier and less stressful, and reducing clutter can help people breathe a little easier. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Sort belongings with the four-box method. Mark four boxes "Give away/sell," "Storage," "Trash," and "Maybe." As you go through items, place them in the appropriate boxes. Use the "Maybe" box sparingly.
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Sell items to earn a little extra moving or fun money. Books, CDs, clothes, furniture and many other belongings can be sold online, in resale shops or at pawn shops. Selling items probably won't earn a lot of money, but a little extra cash can help.
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Set goals. Trying to tackle an entire house can be daunting, so setting small goals, such as a room a day, can help you get through the chaos and make order.
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Consider belongings honestly. It is important to think about whether you need a belonging or merely enjoy having it. If you genuinely love owning something, it's worth keeping, but if you merely like having it, think twice.
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Recycle old magazines and newspapers.
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Remove items of clothing that haven't been worn in over a year. After a year, clothing may no longer fit, and styles have changed.
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Donate whatever you can. Help the less fortunate by donating to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or local charities.
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References
- Photo Credit babies closet image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
