If you are like a considerable majority of people, you have accumulated “stuff” that you no longer use or need. Finding yourself in such a position, you likely have legitimate questions regarding what to do with these items.
There are four basic options available to you when it comes to ridding yourself of stuff:
- Store
- Sell
- Donate
- Discard
Coping with attachment
If you’re like most people, when it comes to cleaning up and clearing out, you encounter items that you worry you might need at some point in time in the future. This concern can be a normal reaction if you’re able to address it rationally.
One of the tactics to employ to lessen the amount of items accumulated in your home is to store objects not in regular use.
You can also use storage as a holding zone for items you’re finding yourself hard-pressed to part with. You can set up an area in your home, perhaps in the basement, in which you temporarily stow items that you really haven’t been using and probably should part with in some way.
Storing
The reality is that you very well may have some items in your home that warrant keeping into the future. With that understood, that doesn’t mean that these objects should be kept in the livable areas of your home.
You need to find an appropriate, secure space to store these items, such as an attic, garage, or basement. If you have nowhere spare you could contact a company like Armstrong Steel and have a metal storage building built in your garden. Make sure to dedicate different storage areas of your home to different kinds of items, separating them by size, sentimentality, or value. This makes it easier to locate them when you do eventually need them in the future.
For items that you are less likely to want to keep in the future, it can be convenient to store them in an outdoor unit as opposed to in the house. Outdoor storage sheds or outdoor cabinetry are ideal for these items that are not necessarily valuable, but should still be easily accessible.
Selling
You may be in a fortunate position of having items in your residence that you don’t need but nonetheless have some value. As you go through items that you’ve determined you don’t need and don’t want to keep, identify objects that have some value.
The key to effectively selling objects you no longer need is making an honest, accurate assessment of value. This can be difficult if you are dealing with objects that have had a personal value to you. Consider engaging a professional if you have objects like antiques.
For items that are less substantial, reach out to friends and family who might have some idea of what certain items might be worth. For example, odds are that you have people in your life who have been involved in selling personal property similar to your own in the not too distant past.
Donating
Gently used items that you desire to part with might be godsends to others. Thus, consider giving items away to people you know or to a local charitable organization. Many, like the Salvation Army, even offer to pick up heavy items and bulk donations.
Discarding
Take care when it comes to discarding items. Look closely at objects you want to eliminate in this manner and identify what can be recycled and what can only head off to a landfill.
By paying heed to these basic directives, you will be able to more effectively eliminate items you truly no longer need. By clearing the clutter, you make your home more livable.
