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Professional organizers often face clients who are hesitant to part with belongings. Suzanne Lindsey, the founder of Light House Organizer in Madison, Mississippi, advises clients to consider whether they love, need, or use an item before deciding to keep it.
Clearing out unnecessary items can greatly improve the functionality and appearance of your home. Here, Southern professional organizers discuss eight categories of items that are safe to discard from your space.
1. Unnecessary Cords And Chargers: If you have cords and chargers for electronics you no longer own, it’s best to discard them. Keeping them for a “just in case” moment only adds to clutter.
2. Appliance Manuals: Rather than keeping appliance manuals for reference, you can easily find guidance online when needed.
3. Food Storage Containers Without Lids: Clear out food containers missing lids to free up space and reduce frustration in the kitchen.
4. Unused Kitchen Gadgets: If you rarely use a kitchen gadget, consider letting it go to create more space in your kitchen.
5. Old Medications: Dispose of medications with expired dates properly by following disposal instructions or sealing them in a bag with an unpleasant substance before throwing them away.
6. Expired Beauty Products: Check the texture and odor of beauty products to determine if they are still effective. If they seem off or have a strange smell, it’s time to get rid of them.
By decluttering these items, you can make your home more organized and functional in the long run.
“Try it out, you won’t regret it.”
Even in today’s digital era, we often find ourselves with a multitude of papers and mail cluttering our homes. According to Picott, this accumulation occurs when we choose to put off dealing with paperwork. She suggests digitizing important documents and getting rid of the physical copies.
If an item in your home triggers negative emotions, it might be time to let it go. Kendra Littlejohn, founder of Organized by Kendra in Memphis, Tennessee, recommends releasing objects tied to unpleasant memories or feelings. Whether it’s a gift from someone you’d rather forget, clothing that no longer boosts your confidence, or reminders of a past you’ve moved on from, these items only occupy physical and emotional space.
Discover more helpful tips like these in the original article from Southern Living.
