Conquering Emotional Ties to Clutter

**AmyBoz** · 01-19-2004, 03:42 PM

Here is a tip that I thought was pretty good. I know I never would have thought of it on my own. And, if nothing else, at least everything will be contained in a box!

"If the thought of throwing some things out makes you uncomfortable, put those things in a box. If you haven't opened it in six months, throw the whole box out! Don't even open it. You haven't missed those things because you don't need them. Get rid of them!"

Unclutter Your Home - 7 Simple Steps: 700 Tips and Ideas
Donna Smallin

**canadian gardener** · 01-19-2004, 04:00 PM

It's called the emotional withdrawal box by Don Aslett in his book Clutter's Last Stand, and it's a good system.

With Aslett, you date it and leave it up to 3 years, and if you haven't gone into it in search of something, you don't need it.

I've used it sometimes with the kind of stuff that slows you down, the stuff you aren't sure about, do we part with it or what.

It's often stuff with emotional memories attached, that stops you dead, mid dejunking session, holding it, looking, remembering and wondering what to do next.

GOOD TIP!

That Smallin book sounds good. Has she got more tips in there like that?

**AmyBoz** · 01-19-2004, 04:05 PM

Margery, She's got TONS of tips and ideas. I love this book.

**canadian gardener** · 01-19-2004, 04:16 PM

I'll have to get her out from the library, I love a new book on dejunking. A different approach, it gives me energy and excitement. I like decluttering anyway but a new tip, just gets my juices flowing!

**heavensent_7** · 01-19-2004, 05:44 PM

I have heard that tip before, I did 'try' and do it once but I'm sooooooo WEAK, I HAD to look in the box

BIG MISTAKE!, HUGE, MASSIVE LOL.

What book you reading Amy? I've finished mine and I thought it was rubbish anyway, maybe I KNOW it all know and it's just about time I actually DID something.

Motto of the day: Just Do It (Nike)

Na it's no good I HAVE to read LOL

**Heather** · 01-20-2004, 07:01 AM

Great tip, I have this book and it is AWESOME!!

**simplemom** · 01-23-2004, 08:37 AM

Originally posted by canadian gardener
It's often stuff with emotional memories attached, that stops you dead, mid dejunking session, holding it, looking, remembering and wondering what to do next.

I'm like that...I can stand there with an object for 20 minutes, unable to continue my decluttering...with all these emotions coming through me, even looking at a simple peice of paper written by one of my kids or something else...and then that's it! I start to take back all the stuff I was planning to give away...! lol

**KKCondrey** · 01-24-2004, 12:05 AM

That is a great tip. Thanks for sharing it Amy. We haven't used hardly any of the stuff in our back bedroom since we packed it up to move here almost 2 years ago, and last week, i threw out 8 bags and 2 boxes of stuff all thru our home....lol

I've got more to do this weekend. But I have until Sunday night since that is when Joe will be home.