I'm currently sorting through all our accumulated possessions, which has turned the house into quite a mess:
I suspect we're far from alone in finding it challenging to part with things, so here are a handful of strategies that work for us, which you might discover useful:
- Photograph it, the memory persists: We've adopted the practise of taking pictures of belongings and digitising paperwork we don't want anymore and then discarding the item or paperwork. We've also sourced most of our instruction booklets online so keep a directory on our computer and have reduced our "instruction booklets" collection significantly. We arrange for as many of our statements as we can to be sent electronically so we needn't retain the documents.
- Clothing exchanges: my mates and I gather periodically to exchange garments and other goods. Anything left over goes to a charity organisation.
- Become part of a group: I subscribe to a number of websites and online communities that have been quite beneficial for bringing greater structure to my routine. My preferred ones are Unclutterer and The Organised Housewife.
You might also look at my commentary on accumulating via my piece on the Markets Central Blog.
Kate xxx
