One of the ultimate ways that clutter occurs is simply by people accumulating too much stuff. These days, rather than owning our belongings, too many of us let our possessions own us. Clutter occurs when we have too many things that we don’t use, and they build up with no proper home. If your closet is filled to bursting, if the space under your bed is crammed with boxes, and if you can’t see the surface of your desk or kitchen table, then you’ve got a clutter problem that’s caused by having too much stuff. Having more than you need is a surefire way to stress you out and contribute to a lowered quality of life, but we also understand that it can be hard to let go of our belongings. Here at Closet & Storage Concepts of Boston, Massachusetts, we understand the desire to cling to our possessions for that one-day that we just might need them. But we promise you that more often than not, you’ll be better off for having gotten rid of the things that you don’t need. If you feel like you’re turning into a pack rat, then use these great tips to help yourself break up with your stuff.
Need vs. Want
One of the first steps to severing ties with your toxic belongings is to determine whether you really need all of the things you own. Chances are, for most people, we have a fair number of things that don’t benefit us in any way and which we’re only keeping around out of a stubborn disinclination to let go. Of course, we’re not saying that sentimental value isn’t important. Things like wedding and baby photos, treasured mementos, and valued memories have an emotional value and shouldn’t be discarded. But there are likely plenty of objects in your home that you don’t need which don’t carry such emotional attachments. If you’re thinking of getting rid of something, first ask yourself when the last time you used it was. If it was more than a year ago, then consider getting rid of it. Try and really identify the root cause of why you’re keeping your old things around. Do you really need five pairs of scissors? Or are you just paranoid that you’ll be caught one day with nothing to cut with? Trust us though, you’ll probably be fine with just the one pair, and it will make room for other things that you do need.
Sell Your Stuff
If you’re the sort who needs a little extra motivation, think about what you can get for the things that you aren’t using. Chances are that even if you don’t want or need it, someone else does, and there are tons of resources that you can use to make a little bit of extra cash from all your clutter. Craigslist is a great way to get rid of old furniture that you don’t need, and eBay or Etsy are great for smaller or valuable items. With the weather improving, you can start planning a yard sale or use social media to inquire whether anyone is interested in the things you need to get rid of. 
Donate and Be Done
Once you’ve decided on what to toss and have sold what you can, the last thing to do is donate everything else. Thrift stores like Value Village, St. Vincent de Paul, or Goodwill will all happily take the things you don’t need and pass them onto those who need them more than you do. Donating old clothes is a great way to get rid of the things you don’t wear anymore, and someone somewhere will appreciate you for it.
To learn more about clearing clutter and organizing your home, visit Closet and Storage Concepts of Massachusetts today!
Photo credits: (1) iStock/ KatarzynaBialasiewicz. (2) iStock/ sirastock.