You are all amazing at this decluttering – it is so good to hear your stories, we really appreciate you sharing!
Because you have come so far in culling the unwanted items, you have probably found that you have emptied out a number of containers and organisers that you used to store your stuff.
So how do we decide what stays and what goes?
This category could be a simple one if you choose as it is now very clear in Week 41 of the challenge that you no longer have a need for the tubs, organisers, baskets, bins, hanging organisers and other items you have purchased over time to assist you in getting organised.
If you need some further assistance to make decisions though, revisit the criteria you created during Week 1 of our challenge to assist you in making decisions about small appliances and give yourself a limit. If you are new to the challenge, you can see our Week 1 post here.
This category is full of items that may “come in handy one day” or that have a clear function, but maybe not a purpose right this minute. That can make it more challenging for some in making decisions about whether they stay or go.
To help you further, consider these things:
- What’s your limit – either a number or a physical storage space (e.g. one shelf).
- You are now very aware of the contents of your home, how you and your family function in your home and how much space you have available (don’t forget the importance of white space too!). How do these items fit with the functionality and aesthetics of your home?
Put everything aside that no longer has a useful purpose or home in your kitchen.
What do I do with the keepers?
They definitely all need homes, and ones that minimise the chance for damage and enable them to be accessed easily and safely when they are needed. You also need to work within the physical limits of your allocated storage space. If you can’t fit everything, you need to go back and review and make some further decisions. We don’t want anything homeless or of no use in our homes!
What do I do with the ones that no longer have a purpose for me?
If the items are broken or no longer functional they are just taking up valuable space in your home and need to go in the bin (recycling whatever you can of course!).
If they are still in good condition but no longer have a purpose in your home, you can also consider some of these sell/swap and donation options.
- Sell or Swap:
- Swap with your friends or family.
- Gumtree
- Facebook Marketplace or any of the myriad of Buy/Swap/Sell groups
- Garage Sale
- Donate/Gift options:
- GIVIT
- Freecycle
- Ziilch
- Trash Nothing!
- Green Shed (Mitchell or Mugga Lane)
- Let’s Recycle Canberra (Hume)
- Your local “Buy Nothing” group on Facebook.
How did you go? Feel free to share your successes, challenges and tips on our Facebook page.
Happy decluttering!
Melissa x