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what about your “just in case” clutter?

 


I've been cleaning out my closets again.  My oldest is leaving the nest and going off to college on Saturday, (I'm sure that will inspire several other posts down the road, but for now we're not going to talk about it) so her clutter clearing is inspiring my clutter clearing and leading to the eruptions of small piles of random things around the house.

Some of it's easy--things we know we don't need and will never use again, but with two kids moving out in the next few years, there are a lot of "just in case" things we've been holding onto.  We have extra dishes and silverware, "just in case" the girls want them for their first apartment.  We have multiples of several  tools, bedding, school supplies, etc. "just in case" we need them someday.  Charging cords to unidentified objects, "just in case" we ever figure out what they belong to.  Travel books "just in case" we visit those places again.  Wall décor we might possible need, candles in case of a blackout, a medical boot in case someone breaks a toe, and on and on.  Sound familiar?

Here are some things I've been thinking about as I go through my clutter this time around:

1.  If I didn't have this already, could I make do with something else?

Do I really need the silvery, sparkly sandals that I wore to the Kentucky Derby that one time three years ago?  I haven't worn them since, and I have lots of other shoes that go with the dress (that I still wear on occasion).  And how about all the serving dishes?  Yes, I use many of them during the holidays, but there are a few that never see beyond the cupboard under the island.  Maybe they could make some other family happy at Thanksgiving.  Will my toaster oven do the same job that the air fryer does?

2.  What's the worst that could happen if I didn't have this?

Most of the time, the answer is "Amazon would deliver another one in 48 hours. "

3.  If I didn't already own this, would I go out and buy it?  If it weren't in my house, would I miss it?

This is a good one.  I recently saw a worn out knick knack at Goodwill that I recognized as coming from my house.  I would never have bought it, but how many years did I hold onto it--cleaning it, storing it, and letting it take up space in my life? Huh.

4.  Is this something I could easily borrow, rent, or buy cheaply if I really needed it in the future?

If so, let it go.

5.  If I needed this, would I even be able to find it?

Unless you have a place for everything and everything in its place, chances are that your junk drawer (or cupboard!) is full of things that have been forgotten.  As you go through said drawer, see if there's a better place for everything there.  Maybe add some organizing trays, if that helps.  If you find something that you haven't used in the past year and doesn't have a proper place to live, let it go.  If you really need it later, refer to number 4.

Ok, so I admit, I still have a "someday" pile of housewares in the attic for the girls, but I've learned to ask them how they feel about them first.  They're happy with the basics, but there's a certain joy in picking out things yourself when you're first on your own.  I get that, and I won't force my clutter on them if they don't want it.  There's a difference between being thrifty and living with a lot of hand-me-downs that don't bring you a sense of joy, ownership, and serenity.

So look around right now.  What are you holding onto "just in case?"  Maybe it's time to clean house.  :)


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