How to Get Rid of Things and Declutter

Are you sufferuing from an excess of stuff? Not sure where to start when getting rid of things? Here are some questions to ask yourself when it comes to getting rid of stuff and decluttering your life:

Clothes

• Does it fit?
• Do I wear it? Be honest.
• Will I ever wear it? If your answer to the above was no why would it ever become yes for this one?

Shoes

The same logic as for clothes can be used here. Fit? Do I? Will I?

• The activity that these shoes are meant for: Will I be doing this inside a reasonable time horizon that I should keep these shoes?
• If yes to above: Do I already have a pair that can do this? No need for two pairs when one will do. 

Stuff from your past

Odds are you have miscellaneous stuff you've accumulated over time, from jobs, hobbies, relationships, etc.

• Do I ever use this stuff?
• Will I ever use this stuff?
• Is it worth whatever the mental tax is for storing this stuff? That's your call.
• Is there real meaning or memory assigned to it? Nostalgia is personal, but be realistic. I address this in more detail below.

Electronics

As far as cables, connectors, adaptors and other electronic stuff, I did my best to compare storing them in a small container versus the cost of buying one should I need it. I'll caveat this with that knowledge that there's a flea market a mile down the road where, on any given weekend, I can get just about any cable or adaproe I need for a few dollars. I'll also caveat this with the fact that many time I've needed a cable, adaptor or plug and I had it on hand because of my box of goodies.

I wouldn't keep a Radio Shack's worth of stuff, but having a good variet of connectors, cables, adaptors, and cords can come in handy.

Broken Crap

Get rid of. "I'll fix it someday" is a slippery slope. You might fix it. Then what? Use it? Sell it? The easiest resolution is to get it gone.

Sentimentals

I really don't have a good strategy for you to determine what to keep and what to trash. Sentimental stuff is out of reach of rationality; it's too personal. For me, if it holds good memories, I like keeping it.

Stuff you've had for such a long time that if you got rid of it then the time you spent moving it around would be a waste

Just get rid of it. Sunk costs are no reason to hang on to something.

Books

I got rid of all but a few favorites. Donate the rest to a library or other worthy organization.

Summary

Once you start the high of getting rid of stuff you don't need, the high will take over and many of your apprehensions will disappear.

One more thought. The actual process of getting the stuff: I rarely bothered trying to sell stuff. Some textbooks I went through Amazon and undersold the lowest price just to get it to move fast. Clothes and small crap to Goodwill. Big crap I used Craigslist free section. People will come haul away anything as long as they don't have to pay for it!