When we’re talking about decluttering during COVID-19, we are not talking about simply cleaning out the garage or basement. We are talking about a complete whole house and yard decluttering initiative where you go through the entire house and sort through every object in each room of that house and assess where it should go. This is a massive undertaking, and it is a good idea to get a large dumpster rental to help get rid of the stuff you no longer need.
To do this ask yourself the following questions:
Is It Broken?
If so, can it be repaired? Do I want to repair it? We tend to hold onto things thinking that someday we’ll have time to fix it or that it is still useful or will be useful to someone else when realistically this will never be the case. Getting rid of it is a better option whether you give it away or throw it out.
Do I Still Use This?
If so, when was the last time I used it? This is another common weakness for most people. We buy things and hold onto them long past their usefulness because we either feel guilty about spending money on something we never ended up using, or think that we might need it “someday.” This excess clutter takes up space and energy to maintain.
Do I Need It?
We also tend to hold onto a lot of stuff for sentimental reasons. Old clothes, books, toys and tools that we no longer have a use for, but keep anyway because we just don’t want to give them up.
After Answering the 3 Questions
So, go through every room, closet, shelf, and cabinet. This includes bedrooms, bathrooms, basement storage areas, garages, outbuildings, etc. Remove everything out of that area and look at all of it. Ask yourself these three questions. If your answer is “no” for any of them. Set it aside into a “get rid of it” pile.
Some items such as large appliances, broken furniture, broken electronics, hazardous chemicals such as old fertilizer, gas, motor oil, and paint can make us decide to “kick the decision into the future” because we don’t know what to do with them. Generally, you cannot dispose of these types of items in the trash, so we put off the decision.
Options for the “Get Rid of It” Pile
Once you have sorted through all of your stuff, you need to figure out what to do with it:
- Sell It – A lot of stuff that seems worthless to you might be worth some serious cash. For anything collectible (figurines, old books, memorabilia, even toys and some old electronics) you should see if it is worth anything on eBay, if so, you can sell it.
- Give It Away – For stuff that is in working order, and sometimes even stuff that is broken, you can list it on Craigslist, or even just put it at the end of your driveway and people may come and get it.
- Recycle It – Paper, aluminum, glass, cardboard, and many other products are recyclable. Some appliances can be recycled or turned in for energy credit programs. See what options are available before doing throwing it out.
- Get Rid of It – Rent a roll off dumpster and toss all that remains into it. Getting rid of the excess clutter not only frees up your space, but also your mind.
Get a Dumpster Rental in Mobile, Alabama for Your COVID-19 Decluttering Initiative
We collect a lot of stuff over the course of our lives. Let Circle J Roll Offs help you get rid of it with a roll off dumpster rental that is the perfect size for you. Give us a call at (215) 661-0001 or fill out our online form and we’ll get in touch with you.
