Tag Archive for: reducing

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.

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:

Keep only your favorites

Identify your favorite things and make space to enjoy those things. This will probably require the removal of unused, outdated, and unwanted stuff. By reducing those possessions, your favorite things have breathing room, and you have less to organize and maintain.

Here are a few suggestions:

Use instead of store

There is a distinction between using things and storing things. One signifies action and the other signifies stockpiling. For example, using up the big jug of laundry detergent you bought vs. storing the 5 jugs of laundry detergent you bought. Which situation requires less effort to organize and maintain? Go with that one!

Less is more in 2024

Happy New Year!
Wishing you an organized, productive, and joyful year. What do you have planned for 2024? Do you make new year’s intentions, resolutions, or goals? Here are a few of mine.