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It’s About Time Ruth Wong |
Never too early to reduce
a home’s clutterLast week I gave a seminar for prospective and future residents of Kahala Nui, the senior-life care community slated to open next year. One of the attendees' main concerns was what to do with all their stuff, the things they've collected over a lifetime.
Over the years, our stuff does accumulate: good stuff, junk stuff, new stuff, old stuff, stuff given to us, stuff we've bought, stuff we use and stuff we don't use.
Although I was addressing those in their retirement years who are downsizing their possessions, I want to suggest that no matter what your age, it's never too early to "rightsize" your possessions.
I began by telling the seminar attendees that the good news is that they can keep their treasures. This requires sorting through the stuff, finding the treasures, and making decisions about the rest. Strive to keep the best of the best, and limit them to what fits into your closets and cabinets.
For those things you aren't going to keep, the basic choices are to give, sell or toss. You can offer your unneeded items to friends, relatives or charities. One retiree told me that he gave his organ to an organization and he was able to go and enjoy the concerts it was used in. He said this way he could "visit" his former possession. What a good idea!
Items of value can be sold by an ad, a professional, or online through sites such as eBay.
As for tossing, the sad truth is that some of our stuff is good for nothing but the trash can. You may wonder why you've bothered to keep it in the first place. Or some items may have deteriorated to the point they're no longer usable.
IT IS OFTEN an emotional task to sort through our belongings, especially those connected with people we've loved and lost. It's OK to cry and work out those emotions. And then, if the reminders need to be released, keep the treasured memories in your heart. I think your heart is the best place to keep treasures anyway -- where they're always with you and a part of you.
A while ago, I got tired of all the stuff in my home and have been "rightsizing" my possessions. Here are my guidelines on what to keep:
» Things that I know to be useful and believe to be beautiful.It's a difficult process but so worthwhile. It's never too early to rightsize your possessions -- in fact, the sooner the better. The sooner you free yourself from clutter and unneeded possessions, the sooner you can enjoy the freedom, peace and comfort of living in a decluttered, pleasant, functional space.» Things that are my "Friends," rather than distant "Strangers." I wrote about this in my April 25, 2003, column.
» What fits in my closets and cabinets.
I encourage you to pick one room or area to "rightsize," with the goal being to end up with only those things you need, use and love, and with only those things that fit into your home's closets and cabinets.
Enjoy the uncluttered results! See you in two weeks!
"It's About Time," by Ruth Wong, owner of Organization Plus, runs the fourth Friday of each month. Contact her at "It's About Time," care of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; or e-mail features@starbulletin.com