Antiques, Heirlooms, Or Just Junk?
So, you made the decision, it’s time to downsize. That means minimizing your belongings. But what do you keep and what do you get rid of? What is essential, and what has now become excess junk? Every homeowner tends to accumulate things. It's just what we do. In fact, as we get older and have been around a while, that accumulation may have gotten out of control. How do you decide what should be held onto, what should be passed on to family members, and what should simply be thrown out?
It's a good start to go through your home in a systematic fashion, clearing out the small junk and unwanted items stashed in drawers, cabinets, closets, and corners. Remember this phrase, “less stuff means more life.” To help you get started, here is a list of essentials that should never be thrown out:
• Important papers
• Electronic devices
• Family heirlooms
• Landline phone
• Photographs
• Valuable collections
• Fine jewelry (in original boxes)
• Sentimental items
• Emergency supplies
• Basic Kitchen and Bathroom Supplies
• Expensive Handbags and Their Tags
• Unexpired Medication and Toiletries
• Picture frames
To truly "downsize," you’ve got to be a bit more aggressive. But the problem for many of us is that even the things we know we don't need, won't ever use, and really don't want can be hard to let go of after so many years. "Sentimental value" can be different for everyone, and even useless items we've had in the house for decades can have a hold on us because of the memories and familiarity attached to them.
There are several ways to approach sentimental items; if you have boxes and boxes of old photos but don't have the room to keep them all, think digital! Keep the originals that have the most meaning and value to you, then go through and scan all the rest. That way, you still keep all your pictures; they just take up way less space. The same applies to postcards, greeting cards, and other things, like tickets or playbills, that you may have kept as mementos.
There is also a tendency to simply start throwing things away without any plan or strategy in mind. This is inefficient and can result in piles of junk, rubbish, and debris all over the house. Consider creating a “yes” and “no” pile. When you’re going through belongings, some things will tug at your heartstrings, and you’ll be tempted to make a third pile of things to keep if you have space. Don’t fall for it. You’ll end up with a Maybe pile that’s bigger than either of the other two. When that happens, you haven’t really made any progress in sorting, just moved it across the room. Take a hard look at every item you pick up. If you use it regularly, keep it. But it’s time to let something go if it’s been sitting in a closet or on a shelf for a year or more.
When you are in the throes of a major and days-long cleaning project, you really don't want to make several trips back and forth to the waste transfer station. You could call a professional junk removal company like us to come and remove your piles of junk and debris. The best part is that our junk hauler is an affordable and convenient solution that allows you to both stage your debris until you're ready to get rid of it and to keep your home and outdoor areas clear and free of piled-up junk. We provide efficient, safe, and eco-friendly self-service and full-service waste removal, so you don’t need to worry about the pick-up or disposal of your debris after your cleanup project is complete.
If you’re ready to "reduce your footprint" and move on with less, give us a call today! (319) 382-9815
