Is There a Purpose for All This Stuff?

Getting organized isn't as difficult as you might think. We're overflowing with stuff!

I'm willing to bet that you (or the person with whom you share a residence) have possessions you don't need.

Isn't it time to get rid of all this stuff?

Making a firm (and sometimes challenging) decision to say goodbye to your "stuff." It's easier to find reasons to keep things and put off making a decision.

Here are a few of my personal favorites...

1. "I may need it at some point."

It's possible, yes. However, most of the things we keep can be found or replaced within a few days at the most, if not hours. Many men, including my father, meticulously record and preserve every screw and nail they make, like a squirrel with his nuts.

As the clutter grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to locate even the tiniest of objects, making it impossible to find that one small screw.

2. If I lose some weight, I'll be able to wear it again.

If you want to lose weight, I hope you do everything you can to achieve your goal. And when you do, feel free to go out and buy some new clothes at a discount. You have every right to be pleased with yourself, and now is the time to do so.

3. This was given to me by XYZ.

As long as we have tangible reminders of our loved ones, I'm all for preserving them.

In reality, memories are not in the knick-knacks and "stuff" that you've crammed into a storage container.

Getting rid of things isn't easy, and I won't say it is. However, it's best only to keep the things you truly treasure.

In addition to putting them on display, make sure they are visible so you can enjoy them and tell a story about them if anyone comments or inquires about them.

4. This "thing!" cost me a lot of money.

I'm sure you did, though. However, one must ask whether the "item" you no longer need has more value than your relationship with your home. What's more important, the thing itself or your contentment? Where do you want to put this thing?

5. The only problem is that I'm not sure what to do with it.

Okay, so maybe you shouldn't hang on to it after all.

What's more, if it takes you so long to figure out what to do with something, you can reasonably assume that it isn't worth the effort.

It's safe to say that if you can't make sense of something, you won't miss it.

What matters most is how much time you spend with loved ones and how much money you save.