02/04/2015
4 Ways to Stop Bringing in Clutter
- from Overstuffed Blogger - Lara
1. Don't buy anything unless you know where you will put it
Also, don't buy anything you don't either absolutely love or absolutely need. I am trying hard to ask myself exactly what I will do with an item once I get it home. I tend to buy things I really love, but don't have a good plan for them. Those things inevitably get lost in the shuffle and contribute to the clutter problem, plus I never actually enjoy them. I'm trying to remember that I don't need every cute thing I see, and I am probably happier without it.
2. Try to follow the "one in, one out" rule
This is hard for me, and I rebel against it all the time, but it is solid advice. I personally don't think it has to be like item for like item. So you could buy a pair of shoes and still be allowed to keep the rest of your shoes. Instead, you could get rid of that vase in the kitchen cupboard that you have never used. This way, if you absolutely must buy something new, you can rest assured that the clutter problem will not grow because of it.
3. Downsize your gift giving
Birthdays and Christmas are big, fat, clutter-making holidays. As much fun as opening all the gifts is, I watch way too many of those gifts gather dust as the girls forget about them entirely in favor of the gifts they liked best.
In the past few years, I have downsized the gifts I give at Christmas considerably. Now, each of my children only gets four gifts. (You can read more about that here: Christmas List Printable.) Giving less not only saves clutter, it also saves money and time shopping. Plus, I find that it has helped my children to be more grateful for the gifts they do receive.
4. Consider gifting experiences, instead of things
A couple of Christmases ago, I gave The Maestro a spring break trip to Chicago instead of another shirt or gadget he didn't really want or need. I surprised him with tickets to The Chicago Symphony and a hotel stay, and we had a blast together when that trip rolled around. We looked forward to it for three months and it felt like Christmas lasted a little longer.
I remember that trip with great fondness, but I have absolutely no idea what The Maestro gave me for Christmas that year. Memories last longer than stuff.
It doesn't have to be vacations, either. You can gift art classes, zoo passes, museum memberships, or a day at the beach. I even gave coupons to my girls in their stockings last year with things like "a day of no chores" or "a date with Mom and Dad" on them and they were a huge hit. And most of them have been used up this year, too!
This year, we're taking the whole family to Hawaii the week after Christmas. That is our gift. The girls have already been warned that there won't be much under the tree at all, and they are totally fine with that.
I feel like I've come a long way when it comes to not bringing more clutter in. But, I could still be better! Certain things still get me, and I have to really be strong to say no to the purchase!
