The Declutter Diaries is a series of posts I did for a former blog as a glimpse inside a real decluttering project [with occasional editorial comments from my present self]. You can start with Day One here.
No Magic Wand
Yesterday I attempted to get some of the boxes of stuff out of my house but ended up bringing more home. At the end of the day, I forgot to pass on a bag to someone who came to my house (Doh!) and was not successful in passing on a newly-returned stroller. If I can’t get rid of it today, I think I’ll add the stroller to the list of things to sell.
On a positive note, I sold my business supplies today (Woo Hoo!). I also sent out a list of some books to others who may want them. I think I need to put on my “selling” hat and list a few more things. This evening I will attempt to pull that information together in order to start listing things tomorrow. I will also put on my “delivery” hat so I can give away some boxes of kids’ clothes tomorrow.
It is taking more effort to actually get stuff out of my house than I originally anticipated. For some reason, I thought that if I decided something should go, it would just…go. [Oh Past Self, if only we had a magic wand to make things disappear!]
Organizing myself to put boxes in the car and drop them off isn’t too hard. But itemizing a box, creating a listing, and actually selling it is taking some thought and work. [Yes it does. Not to mention if you want to take a picture, or clean the item up so other people will want it.]
Sometimes it isn’t that easy to find someone else who wants my stuff, so I’m doing more calling and asking around than I was counting on. Ahhhh, if only I hadn’t got all my friends caught up in the frenzy of decluttering with me!
Disposal Strategies
Now I realize that it isn’t enough to have some bulldozing-through-the-clutter strategies, I also need to have disposal strategies in place. I will factor that in for the next zone I tackle. [Good to note: part of the timetable for decluttering has to include the actual removal of stuff from your house. It takes time to call people, list things, drop boxes off, and so forth. Don’t forget to include this in your declutter plans!]
Have you thought about how you will get rid of the things you decide should go? Have you put it into your schedule to actually deliver/drop off/sell/toss those boxes?
[Here are a few disposal strategy ideas: pass on to friends, family, neighbors, co-workers; donate to daycares, shelters, thrift stores, senior centers, libraries, prisons, or charitable organizations; list on freecycle; put it in your front yard with a “free” sign; sell on craigslist or eBay; have a yard sale; repurpose, recycle, compost, or trash–I know, I know, but some stuff really has reached the end of its useful life and belongs in the trash.]
