Tag Archive for: reducing

Evaluate holiday decorations

A great time to evaluate your holiday decorations is when you’re putting them away. Before packing them up, set criteria for what to keep and what to donate. Consider these guidelines:

  • You love it.
  • You display it every year.
  • It’s one of your favorite holiday decorations.
  • It’s sentimental, and you would never part with it.

This approach ensures you only keep what truly brings joy and meaning to your celebrations.

pile of gifts

Gift Giving & Santa

The gift giving season is upon us once again, and at this time of year I like to share my Organizer-friendly gift ideas. These options are alternatives to traditional gifts, because they focus on zero waste…

You’re in control

One effective way to stay organized is to remove (or reduce) anything in our homes that we can’t keep under control. Items that fall into this category are usually things we have in large quantities or excess. Some examples are an excessive amount of clothes, books, toys, shoes, paperwork, or collections. Think of an amount that is manageable and work towards achieving that amount.

3D Character and question mark

Everything has potential

Potential usefulness is not the same as actual usefulness. It’s easy to hold on to things because they have potential, but it’s important to be honest with yourself about their true value. Ask yourself:

  • How realistic is the potential of this item?
  • What condition is it in?
  • What is the likelihood that I’ll actually use it?
  • Will I use it within the next 6 months?
  • If it were damaged, would I replace it?
  • Would someone else get more value from it than I do?

The world is full of items with potential, but if you’re not using or appreciating them, consider letting them go to someone who will.

this or that sweater

Compare instead of decide

When deciding what to keep and what not to keep, compare two items at a time. Do you like this item more than that item? Which one do I use more? Wear more? Feel better about?

Other helpful tips: