1) Have goals
2) Follow through
3) Limit your storage options
4) Know your taste, stop buying things you don’t need
1) Have goals
For this you might need to generate some guilt. Here is an example of a thought that might run through your head: “Do you want this cashmere sweater, or would you rather be able to afford a ticket to France?”
Sometimes feeling bad is a good thing. If I want to move to France, I can’t keep piling up junk I’ll just have to get rid of in a year. No, this won’t fit in my suitcase. Why am I buying this when I’ll just have to get rid of it when I pack?
Keep your goals in mind whenever you’re tempted to go shopping. It might help to tape a picture of your goal to your credit card (this works! You feel terrible when you try to untape it), or a big poster on your wall.
2) Follow through.
I’m guilty of not following through. I have a lot of hobbies (which generate their share of junk) and I’m bad at keeping up. I’ll give you my most annoying example: whenever I see a recipe with a pretty picture, I’ll tear it out of the magazine I’m reading and put it in my recipe pile.
2a) Set deadlines
It’s so easy to say “I’ll do this later” and set aside the proverbial stack of recipes. No, you won’t! Say instead, “I’ll either do this by the end of the month or I’ll toss it”. And in the case of recipes, toss should mean recycle.
3) Limit your storage options
Again, don’t make storage to accommodate your junk. Don’t build a rack in the garage for your ski poles if you live in Texas and have never been on vacation.
4) Know your taste
While getting rid of things this summer, I realized it was hard to get rid of clothes because I liked all of them. Part of the reason I liked all of them was because most of them were the same. I had 10 blazers, 14 sweatshirts, numerous other sweaters, overcoats, et cetera. And that’s just the warm clothing department. Needless to say, it was hard to get rid of a lot of them. But I did it! And I don’t miss the ones I got rid of because I own clones of them. Avoid this situation - if you have something you like, don’t buy something similar.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
TTA Crimes!
Print out this list. Make up rhymes to help you remember. If you think of an especially good rhyme, either post it as a comment or send it to me and I’ll post it. Haikus are also nice.
1. DON’T justify!
- If you have to convince yourself to keep something, toss it!
2. DON’T put it back!
- Once it’s in the toss/give/sell box, keep your paws off it. It’s gone.
3. DON’T make storage to accommodate your junk!
- This is the worst crime of all!
1. DON’T justify!
- If you have to convince yourself to keep something, toss it!
2. DON’T put it back!
- Once it’s in the toss/give/sell box, keep your paws off it. It’s gone.
3. DON’T make storage to accommodate your junk!
- This is the worst crime of all!
How to Toss II
My dad (ascetic extraordinaire) has an interesting idea. This is something that everyone can put into practice, but it will be much more time consuming for those with lots of junk.
“Take everything out first - it has to ask permission to come back in.”
So! This can be applied to anywhere - closet, car, even makeup case/toolbox.
1) Designate a space.
The smaller the better. Remember, the smaller it is, the less junk it holds.
2) Make sure it’s completely empty, and spotlessly clean
The cleaner it begins, the more reluctant you’ll be to get it dirty/messy.
3) Start putting things back in
Begin with the object you MOST want to keep. All the items afterward will seem less and less appealing, and there won’t be space for the things you don’t want to keep.
“Take everything out first - it has to ask permission to come back in.”
So! This can be applied to anywhere - closet, car, even makeup case/toolbox.
1) Designate a space.
The smaller the better. Remember, the smaller it is, the less junk it holds.
2) Make sure it’s completely empty, and spotlessly clean
The cleaner it begins, the more reluctant you’ll be to get it dirty/messy.
3) Start putting things back in
Begin with the object you MOST want to keep. All the items afterward will seem less and less appealing, and there won’t be space for the things you don’t want to keep.
How to Toss I
Photo: What I've gotten rid of so far this summer! Send me your photos!1) Take it slow
Cleaning is addictive. Once you start tossing things, you’ll be tempted to throw everything in your closet away just for the rush. BEWARE! Doing this may seem like a good idea, but it’s actually counterproductive. If you get rid of a lot of things at once and leave them in your house, waiting to be tossed/donated/sold, you’ll end up rifling through, looking for something you tossed in a frenzy of passion. Then you’ll see other things you actually want to keep, and you could end up putting everything back in your closet. Remember, too, that it’s not easy to part with things with sentimental value, and you shouldn’t be harsh on yourself if it’s a slow process.
2) Get it out of the house
As an addendum, you should really avoid the whole “Actually, I might keep this” process by getting rid of something as soon as you can. Ideally, the same day. This will prevent you from putting it back.
3) Nostalgic music
Depending on the type of person you are, nostalgic music can be what you do or don’t want. If listening to your and your ex-boyfriend’s song is going to prevent you from throwing away his memorabilia, DON’T listen. If, on the other hand, it will help you move along, put the record on.
4) Reward yourself
I really like gingersnaps. Whenever I have to do a closet purge, I make a batch and eat one for every item I throw away. Here is an excellent recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Big-Soft-Ginger-Cookies/Detail.aspx
Where do we toss?
This is a continuation of the last post...
When I came home this summer I started looking through my stuff to get rid of things. After I had set aside my sentimentality I had another problem. I didn't want to get rid of something unless I knew where it was going!
If it doesn't go in
a) Garbage
b) Recycling (trust me, you feel a LOT better when you recycle)
...then where does it go?
There are a lot of obscure items in great condition. Some were too nice for Goodwill (sorry, Goodwill!) but they wouldn't be accepted by Crossroads (if you don't know what this is, keep reading). Some weren't even items of clothing.
Sell-able merchandise:
1) Consignment stores (for clothing)
- I live in San Francisco and I take mine to places like Crossroads Trading or Buffalo Exchange. They give you a really fair deal - if they take your clothing, Crossroads will give you either 35% cash or 50% store credit.
2) Ebay!
I love Ebay. It's really easy to use, and they now have a feature where you can list 5 items free every 30 days. Whip out your digital camera, take a picture of the item, then list it. What's better than getting paid to have a clean room?
Donations can go:
1) Your local library. Trust me, libraries are always in need of help. This is especially good if you're having doubts about getting rid of something, because if you want to see it again you know where to find it!
2) Goodwill or Salvation Army - they accept almost anything.
http://locator.goodwill.org/
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf
3) Homeless shelters - for items of food you don't need or want.
http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/shelters.html
I'll probably elaborate on this later...
When I came home this summer I started looking through my stuff to get rid of things. After I had set aside my sentimentality I had another problem. I didn't want to get rid of something unless I knew where it was going!
If it doesn't go in
a) Garbage
b) Recycling (trust me, you feel a LOT better when you recycle)
...then where does it go?
There are a lot of obscure items in great condition. Some were too nice for Goodwill (sorry, Goodwill!) but they wouldn't be accepted by Crossroads (if you don't know what this is, keep reading). Some weren't even items of clothing.
Sell-able merchandise:
1) Consignment stores (for clothing)
- I live in San Francisco and I take mine to places like Crossroads Trading or Buffalo Exchange. They give you a really fair deal - if they take your clothing, Crossroads will give you either 35% cash or 50% store credit.
2) Ebay!
I love Ebay. It's really easy to use, and they now have a feature where you can list 5 items free every 30 days. Whip out your digital camera, take a picture of the item, then list it. What's better than getting paid to have a clean room?
Donations can go:
1) Your local library. Trust me, libraries are always in need of help. This is especially good if you're having doubts about getting rid of something, because if you want to see it again you know where to find it!
2) Goodwill or Salvation Army - they accept almost anything.
http://locator.goodwill.org/
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf
3) Homeless shelters - for items of food you don't need or want.
http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/shelters.html
I'll probably elaborate on this later...
Why do we toss?
So! You're looking for something you really need, and you can't find it. If you were ascetic, it would be sitting on your nightstand from when you used it last night, because you only keep things you really need. Okay, okay, not everyone restricts themselves to things they only need. But most people have things that they
a) don't know exist
b) would be better off without
c) want to get rid of, but feel guilty doing so
Let's start with a).
You're attacking the junk in the attic, and you find a bunch of boxes full of stuff that you never knew existed. Some of the stuff is really cool, like old Christmas ornaments. Some of it you can easily throw away. How much of it should you keep?
1. BE REASONABLE.
- Don't keep items for which you have no occasion. For example, a 1950s poodle skirt isn't a good idea if you are never going to a sock hop (which is likely) and pink isn't your color. Don't keep a beautiful handcrafted birdcage if you're never going to have pet birds.
- Similarly, don't make occasions just so you can use your junk. Don't buy a dog to give your dog collar some exercise.
- Don't keep things if you don't have somewhere to put them. This is an easy way to limit yourself. This leads to clutter.
2. BE HONEST
- Don't keep gorgeous antique Christmas ornaments if you're Jewish and are going to keep them in storage for the rest of your life. Maybe keep one or two if they have sentimental value, but give the rest to your Christmas-celebrating friends or sell them. Or donate them at Christmastime to someone who will actually use and love them.
3. REMEMBER
- If you've lived happily for [insert your age here] years without knowing the object existed, you can keep on living happily. Unless you're a crusader and you find the Holy Grail in your attic, your life won't change for the worse by getting rid of it.
Good! Now we can move on to b).
1. Weigh benefits/losses: If you have a stack of books you would like to read but they're taking up space you could use to put in, say, a potted plant, think of which you would like more. These two examples might not be the best, but it's just a way to examine which would make you happier. For more on this topic, skip down to part c)
2. Old relationships: My ex-boyfriend was a terrific gift-giver. Everything he gave me was exactly my taste...except that he wasn't. Now I'm cleaning out my room and trying to justify* keeping the things he gave me. One of them is a sweatshirt, perfect fit, exactly my style. The only problem is that every time I look at it I feel miserable. Toss!
Everything absorbed in your junk-addled brain? But I jest... time for c)!
1. Set aside your sentimentality: Your grandmother gave you a bracelet, and you never wear it, but you feel really bad because she was so happy when she gave it to you. First of all, I love my family just as much as someone who keeps junk, and throwing away sentimental items can be difficult. What you have to realize is that real love goes beyond objects, and if you want to think of your grandmother it might be better to frame a photo of the two of you together.
2. Find a good home for it: See the next blog!
*First TTA crime: NEVER justify! If you have to justify keeping something, TOSS IT!
a) don't know exist
b) would be better off without
c) want to get rid of, but feel guilty doing so
Let's start with a).
You're attacking the junk in the attic, and you find a bunch of boxes full of stuff that you never knew existed. Some of the stuff is really cool, like old Christmas ornaments. Some of it you can easily throw away. How much of it should you keep?
1. BE REASONABLE.
- Don't keep items for which you have no occasion. For example, a 1950s poodle skirt isn't a good idea if you are never going to a sock hop (which is likely) and pink isn't your color. Don't keep a beautiful handcrafted birdcage if you're never going to have pet birds.
- Similarly, don't make occasions just so you can use your junk. Don't buy a dog to give your dog collar some exercise.
- Don't keep things if you don't have somewhere to put them. This is an easy way to limit yourself. This leads to clutter.
2. BE HONEST
- Don't keep gorgeous antique Christmas ornaments if you're Jewish and are going to keep them in storage for the rest of your life. Maybe keep one or two if they have sentimental value, but give the rest to your Christmas-celebrating friends or sell them. Or donate them at Christmastime to someone who will actually use and love them.
3. REMEMBER
- If you've lived happily for [insert your age here] years without knowing the object existed, you can keep on living happily. Unless you're a crusader and you find the Holy Grail in your attic, your life won't change for the worse by getting rid of it.
Good! Now we can move on to b).
1. Weigh benefits/losses: If you have a stack of books you would like to read but they're taking up space you could use to put in, say, a potted plant, think of which you would like more. These two examples might not be the best, but it's just a way to examine which would make you happier. For more on this topic, skip down to part c)
2. Old relationships: My ex-boyfriend was a terrific gift-giver. Everything he gave me was exactly my taste...except that he wasn't. Now I'm cleaning out my room and trying to justify* keeping the things he gave me. One of them is a sweatshirt, perfect fit, exactly my style. The only problem is that every time I look at it I feel miserable. Toss!
Everything absorbed in your junk-addled brain? But I jest... time for c)!
1. Set aside your sentimentality: Your grandmother gave you a bracelet, and you never wear it, but you feel really bad because she was so happy when she gave it to you. First of all, I love my family just as much as someone who keeps junk, and throwing away sentimental items can be difficult. What you have to realize is that real love goes beyond objects, and if you want to think of your grandmother it might be better to frame a photo of the two of you together.
2. Find a good home for it: See the next blog!
*First TTA crime: NEVER justify! If you have to justify keeping something, TOSS IT!
Hello! (Introduction)
My name is Jill, and I have been throwing things away since I was old enough to accumulate them.
[Hello, Jill]
I'm a modern ascetic.
Or I would like to think so.
If you don't know what an ascetic is, here is the Merriam-Webster definition:
2 : austere in appearance, manner, or attitude
The goal of this blog is to help you realize that life is easier without having to tunnel through stacks of decaying newspaper, holey clothes, bric-a-brac, etc. I also like to abbreviate.
Ascetically speaking, to throw things away.
[Hello, Jill]
I'm a modern ascetic.
Or I would like to think so.
If you don't know what an ascetic is, here is the Merriam-Webster definition:
- Function:
- adjective
- Etymology:
- Greek askētikos, literally, laborious, from askētēs one that exercises, hermit, from askein to work, exercise
- Date:
- 1646
2 : austere in appearance, manner, or attitude
The goal of this blog is to help you realize that life is easier without having to tunnel through stacks of decaying newspaper, holey clothes, bric-a-brac, etc. I also like to abbreviate.
Ascetically speaking, to throw things away.
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