Getting to clutter-free is only half the job; you’ll need to develop new attitudes and habits to keep clutter
Home, home on the range
A primary cause of clutter? It’s the homeless ... mail, toys, or newspapers. Without a home, common household items wander, lose their way, meet bad companions, and make the transition to clutter.
Establish good homes for your stuff. Newspapers may be folded and stacked on a coffee table before being read, then given shelter in a box while they wait for recycling. Devote prime domestic real estate to use as a Launch Pad for each family member: a location for purses, school papers, backpacks, and briefcases. Give paperwork proper files so it never has to huddle in lonely stacks on kitchen counters.
With a home to go to, good stuff will never become bad clutter. One-In, One-Out Promise The simplest way to deny clutter houseroom? Make the One- In, One-Out Promise. For every new garment, game, DVD, or
magazine that enters your home, resolve that one older garment, game, DVD, or magazine must leave. For example, when this month’s issue of your favorite magazine arrives in the mail, set aside an older issue to share at the library. Pretty new towels may enter your home only if the older set is recycled for use as car-wash rags or put in the charity bag.
The No-Buy-It Diet
Go on a No-Buy-It Diet to build clutter-free habits and avoid buying more “stuff.” The No-Buy-It Diet is simple: find ways to rent, borrow, or swap for items you need, rather than buy them. Try these No-Buy-It strategies to share the wealth and cut the clutter without buying new:
▪ Equipment for parties. Throwing a party or reunion?
Borrow special-use equipment like punch bowls or coffee urns from friends or community sources. Churches, community groups, and fast-food restaurants offer clutter-free access to specialty equipment for your celebration; at the end of the event, the items are returned for others to use.
▪ Youth sports equipment. This can be costly and is often outgrown from season to season. Band with other parents to organize swaps of uniforms and equipment for children’s sports activities. For example, ski swaps can outfit youngsters inexpensively before each season, and find new homes for outgrown ski boots at year’s end.
“Organize a wardrobe swap with friends to keep clothing in circulation—and out of the landfill.”
▪ Maternity and infant clothing. Expecting a baby? Other moms are an excellent source of gently worn maternity and infant clothing, so swap and recycle instead of buying new.
Circulate a “maternity box” of maternity clothing among a group of young-mom friends. After the child is born, remove worn-out items, and add any new clothing before handing the box on to the next expectant mother.
Observe oosouji
To hold the line against clutter, and start the New Year fresh, borrow a Japanese custom. To prepare for a happy and prosperous New Year, the Japanese perform oosouji, cleaning and organizing homes and offices in the run-up to New Year’s Day. By this practice, they tie up the old year’s loose ends and outstanding projects, and make room for the blessings and challenges of a new year.
Take a tip from the Japanese, and ring in the New Year from a clean and decluttered home. At year’s end, create space in each shelf, cabinet, and closet for the new possessions that will come with a new year.
- Consume creatively to cut clutter—and lend a hand to Mother Earth! Repurpose or donate gently used clothing, or organize a wardrobe swap with friends to keep clothing in circulation—and out of the landfill.
- DVDs, videos, and computer games. Rent DVDs, videos, and computer games rather than buying them. Mail-based DVD services bring movies to you without creating video clutter at home—and you’ll have access to a far larger library of new movies than that offered at the store. Borrow DVDs and videos from your local library, or arrange a video swap with friends and neighbors for a free movie experience.
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