How to Throw Out Old Items

by Gillian Markson | More from this Blogger

20 Jun 2006 11:18 AM

One of the most essential way to quickly and easily clean up your space is to throw out old and unused items. These items, while some have sentimental value, are largely space robbers. They sit in your attic, basement, garage and closet and do not do anything to enhance your life or your living space. In essence, they only cause added stress and are a nuisance to stare at all day and night.

Many people who have lived in the same place for several years find these space robbers building in their homes. Whether these items make it into the home as gifts, last minute purchases or remnants of a past decorating scheme, they never seem to find their ways out again. You may even have to maneuver around them as they sit in your home, but you cannot seem to get rid of them.

Here are some tips to help you downsize your inventory of unused and unusable items to help you maximize the space that you have. Sometimes, it is difficult to dispose of your belongings, but keep in mind that the end result of getting rid of a few unused items will be happiness and greater living space for you and your family. The change will be worth it.

Please note: if you horde items, like old letters, newspapers, magazines and other unessential items, it is possible that you have a hoarding disorder. Millions of Americans who have trouble throwing out unused items are clinically diagnosed with hoarding disorders and can be treated with psychotherapy.

However, if you do not believe that you have this hoarding disorder, then throwing things out should not be too difficult for you. Assess what is truly important to you and what can go.

Often times, the hardest thing to throw out is items that you believe you will use again, such as wrapping paper, potpourri and decorations. While many people hang onto these things and do actually use them again, if you are the type of person that prefers to buy new items each time, then go ahead and throw the old items out. The price of your piece of mind at having a clean space will far outweigh the cost of throwing out and buying similar items again.

If you are holding onto other people's belongings, contact them. Often, if you have a home or an apartment with extra space, your friends and family will ask you to hold onto items that they plan to collect. However, if these items are in your way, go ahead and tell your friends that it is time for them to go. Your friends should not be insulted-it is your space after all!

Go through the other items in your house that you are holding onto but not using. You may find furniture, paintings and other items that you valued at one point when you home had a different style, but they not longer fit with your decorating scheme. It is perfectly fine to throw these items out or to donate them to charity. Sometimes, donating items to charity is easier on your conscience than simply throwing them out. Assess all options.

Learn more about Gillian Markson

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger