BEING DECISIVE AND CONFRONTING CLUTTER

“Clutter causes stress, and clutter is one of the main barriers of productivity.”  Charisse Ward

It’s sometimes difficult not to allow inertia to trump decisiveness. Many of us have succumbed to “temporarily” using storage lockers and delay retrieving our goods and paying unnecessary storage fees. Empty nesters are often left with a large house and delay downsizing to accommodations that fit their current needs and possibly their budget.

Being decisive really makes one feel good! Over the years I have accumulated a fair number of computer components (obsolete storage devices, unneeded cables, speakers etc.). The rationale being that you don’t know when you will need a spare part and when the needs arises wouldn’t it be wonderful not to have to go to the store and spend your hard earned money. Unfortunately the uncomfortable reality that I had to face was that I had been accumulating computer stuff for over 10 years and the vast majority of my prized collection was obsolete junk. It’s amazing how we become paralyzed and fearful of throwing away something we might possibly need someday. The automatic defective knee jerk response  is to save rather than toss. Overwhelming clutter is not good for the soul.  Last night I went through my too-valuable-to-toss computer stuff and discarded everything but two extension cords. I started in the office closet and worked my way down to the garage. I was on a roll and to protect myself against any second thoughts I hauled the newly defined trash  over to the dumpster behind our local Cub food store.

The office storage closet is much less cluttered and now has space to store other “valuable stuff” that someday might possibly be needed. The car now fits nicely into the garage and the wife is much much happier. And best of all, I now get to be holier than thou and  talk to Kathy about all those shoes in the bedroom closet.