Trick #6 - Reduce Your Stuff

Start with something small. It can be a drawer, a closet, the surface of a table, the backseat of the car, whatever you can actually do within a day or two. Do not give yourself impossible goals or too much time. You won't do it, then you will feel hopeless or frustrated. You will probably feel like this anyway, and will look for any reason to quit. A favorite give-up phrase is "that's just the way I am." You know yourself. Set a goal that is doable, then take action.

HARD TRUTH You might need safeguards to prevent you from undoing your good work. If so, ask a friend to help you, or a professional.

Here are the choices for reducing your stuff:

• Give it away.
  If needed, ask a friend to do the actual give away. This prevents you from bringing the stuff back or shifting it to another location. Try not to get mad at your friend. If you have many of the same item, keep the best one and give away the rest. This might or might not apply to collections, which might better be given as a unit.
  
  
• Sell it.
  If not sold within a month, give it away. Don't buy more stuff with the money.
  
  
• Fix it.
  If not fixed within a month, give it or throw it away.
  
  
• Move it to a place where it will be used.
  If you still don't use it after a month, give it away.
  
  
• Repurpose it.
  Find a new use for the stuff. If you still don't use it after a month, give it away.
  
  
• Return it to the owner.
  Deliver the item to the owner within a day or two. With an apology.
  
  
• Throw it away.
  Discard anything that is broken or damaged. Stuff that is so dated, worn, or lame that no one else would want it needs to be thrown out.