The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You likely have too much stuff; here’s how to pare it down
These days, Americans don’t agree on much, but we know this: We’ve got too much stuff. How do you decide what to toss — and how to toss it — without burdening others?
Read on for some real-world insight and inspiration.
Understand your ‘why’
For some, understanding the motivation for decluttering can make the process easier.
Liese Sadler, 59, and her husband wanted to live on a sailboat, so the Charlotte, North Carolina, couple sold most of their belongings. “Twenty years later, we are thinking of moving to Europe, so we will sell what we can and give away the rest. Having something exciting to look forward to really helps.”
Diana Carew, 73, of Whidbey Island, Washington, has no storage “Now, if we receive a gift, it goes in the donation sack we keep in the garage. The mental lift in being clutter-free is indescribably freeing — a happy place to be.”
Make a plan and stick to it
Nothing about decluttering is easy. First you have to actually get started. Then you have to keep going. I’m really interested in the tricks people come up with.
Betsy Mitchell, 64, from Parkton, Maryland, asks herself five questions about any possession: Is it useful? Is it beautiful? Do I have an attachment to it — and, if so, is it easy to display or store? Can it be easily and inexpensively replaced if I decide I want it later? Can someone else make better use of the item than I do?
Look to family and friends
Several people expressed discomfort with throwing out or donating “special things” but said it was made easier by knowing where they were going. Robby Champion, 75, of Staunton, Virginia, devoted a giveaway space in his garage and invited friends and family to take whatever they could use. “So far it’s working, and it’s fun,” he said.
Linda Low Kalkstein, 70, of La Jolla, California, and her daughter are enjoying sharing memories while they repurpose her high school and college T-shirts into quilts.
But keep what matters
“Stuff links us to the past and the people we care about,” explains Mary Reed, 66, of North Las Vegas. “If you have something that evokes strong, good emotions, then keep it.”
Where to donate
Judith Dollenmayer, 77, of Washington, D.C., recommends ReStore, the Habitat for Humanity store that accepts used household goods (no mattresses or sheets) and furniture and will even repair some items before sale. Other suggestions included churches that help resettle refugee families, consignment shops for crystal and silver, library sales that will take books and CDs, plus yard sales, shelters and thrift shops.
Before you donate
Karla Forsythe, 69, of Portland, Oregon, who volunteers at a nonprofit organization that provides low-income families with gently used furniture and household goods, says don’t donate grungy or broken items. What is needed are working appliances, towels in good shape, clean mattresses, sofas, dressers, dish sets that can be put in a dishwasher or microwave, spatulas and sheet sets (especially queen).