By Karen Courtney, Director of Programs, CareWell Services
My apartment was flooded by an upstairs pipe break. The resulting damage to ceilings, walls, and floors has meant a virtual rebuild of my apartment — while I’m still living in it. Rapid clutter busting of my lifetime of acquired items has meant doing some soul-searching and self-reflection. It hasn’t all been pretty.
Emptying every bookshelf, drawer, and cabinet, so they can be moved for recarpeting, has forced me to confront my acquisitive demons. Am I a hoarder? Or am I an inquisitive creative person with supplies for a variety of interests and hobbies ready to hand? Can I be both? Who am I kidding? Of course, I can…but should I be?
As I reluctantly confront cabinets of craft supplies, shelves of favorite books, drawers full of fabric, and closet totes full of shoes, I’ve realized that it’s time to aggressively downsize and clutterbust. I sat down in one of my six (!) comfortable chairs, and wrote down some clutter busting mantras I’ve found useful:
I COULD do this or that with this item…but WILL I? If the item is unlikely to realize its full potential under my stewardship, I donate it.
Share the Blessings. I’ve donated the supplies for crafts I tried, but didn’t feel passionate about. I’ve been blessed to be able to afford to try various hobbies and crafts over the years. I picture those newly freed supplies helping others to craft gifts, sew clothing, or create items to add comfort and art to their lives.
Be Realistic. My likelihood of becoming a disciplined reseller or consigner is low. Therefore, I’m donating items I’ve acquired because they were a steal of a buy. If I don’t actively want to keep it in MY home, it’s out. I’m only crafting for gifts, not for resale, period.
The world is full of cool stuff. I will only keep what I want for my current, true lifestyle, not for a future “someday when I buy another house… retire…sell at craft fairs…hostess formal dinner parties…” If “someday” I ever need a lead crystal punch bowl again, the thrift and consignment or rental world will provide!
I don’t need the item to recall the memory. I take a picture, then set the item free. My brain will remember the event or activity around the item as easily by looking at a photo as it does by looking at the clutter item. Two of my comfortable chairs were donated to the ReStore—you’re welcome, future chair owners!
I have a library card. I can read works by my favorite authors by using my public library. Select reference books and first editions are all I will keep. Ditto with movies and music CDs. Technology and online libraries mean I can access entertainment and education without needing to own personal copies.
My kids will thank me. Lightening my load now will be a blessing for my kids later when I die and they are left to go through my belongings.
Clutter busting can be its own blessing. Give it a try – preferably before you experience a flood.
