By Rachel Campbell
Anyone who knows me personally knows that I am not the cleanest or the most organized person on the block. Indeed, one of my clean-freak friends told me just the other day that my house overwhelms her sometimes. If it were up to her, she would throw away nearly everything I own that she thinks I could do with out. Don’t get me wrong, here. I’m not by any means so messy that you can’t navigate my house or that I need to be on an episode of Hoarders; my house is just a little cluttered.
I will admit that I have stuff. Lots of it. My husband and I have moved 8 times in the 7 years we’ve been married and not once have we been able to fully unpack. I have boxes with papers from 2005, boxes of half full soap, boxes of books I inherited from my grandmother, and so many dishes, I don’t know if there are cupboards enough to store them on the planet. Of course, most of these boxes have been in storage and not at my house, but the point still stands: I have stuff.
This time, we decided it would be different; this move, we were going to go through absolutely everything. And I’m happy to report that we have been doing just that. But as I go, I’m finding that some stuff, even if it is old, is still good and that I probably don’t need to buy another box of pens next week, because I’ve got five million in the box in front of me. I don’t need to get another pair of scissors because I just found three more pairs.
So now the dilemma is this: I don’t want to throw away perfectly good supplies and items, but I don’t want to keep it all either. So I’ve come up with a solution.
1. Decide what you like best and donate the rest. Lots of people assume that, because some office supplies are used, that no one will want it. Pens, pencils, adhesive note pads, markers, crayons and all kinds of things end up in the dumpster because, even though they still work, they are old. But this is not the case. Many non-profit organizations, especially in this economy, are scrimping to save every penny they possibly can. With donations down and public need rising, many non-profits are having to shrink other budgets, including office supplies to meet the demands placed upon them.
When it comes to choosing your non-profit, here are a few
Check out your desk or your accountant's desk to see what is most helpful to donate.
suggestions. Donating your excess office supplies to public education programs that specialize in teaching job skills provides people who have not had the opportunity or the know-how with the materials they need to make the most of the classes. Non-profits, homeless shelters, and soup kitchens have clerical work, just like any other business. Take a look at your desk (or your receptionist’s or account’s desk). If it is on your desk, chances are it will be on the non-profit’s desk too. Other things, like craft supplies, clothing, and books can be donated in addition to your surplus-office supplies to places like women protection centers, day cares, schools, and other youth organization programs.
2. Make Organizing Easy. Like the rest of you, when it came to getting organizational units and supplies, I admit, I thought of Walmart first. Surely, no one would have a better selection than they would. Then, while working on another project at work, I came across the Desktop Organizers section. Pages 518 to 520 felt like a wake up call.
SPR 82977 is an example of one of the many organization units I found.
Whether it was miniature drawers, acrylic cubes, or file trays, all kinds of possibilities opened up. For example, do you suffer from Booby-Trapped Freezer syndrome? You know, you pull one thing out of the middle of the stack and the whole freezer empties out at your feet. Why not try using mesh or wire stackable desk trays to keep your food organized and stable? A set of small drawers (as shown in the picture) are a perfect solution to those pesky crayons that just won’t stay in their box, those loose cookie cutters that float around your drawers, or (my personal favorite) those corn-on-the-cob spear handles that stab you every time you try to get something from the back of the drawer.
And, folks, the list doesn’t stop there.
IDE SNS01565 is a fashionable example of a magazine file. These handy organizers also come in plastic and cardboard.
Perhaps you have a scholar or a collector in your home who subscribes to a professional journal or a leisure magazine and doesn’t want to throw them out. Consider a magazine file. Honestly, you can never have too many of these. Personally, I put unused notebooks, legals pads, files, and even frames in these things. They stand up and help me store things that might not be able to stand up on their own in reasonable quantities.
3. And finally, don’t let other people tell you what you should or shouldn’t keep. I should qualify this statement a little better. Of course, strive to keep your house clean. But if you have a huge stack of books that your inherited from your grandmother and you don’t want to donate or throw them away, then don’t. Remember, your stuff is your stuff and NO ONE has the right to part you from your belongings (again, as long as this is with in reason, say as long as you aren’t court ordered to improve conditions). One day, you may find that you are strong enough or ready to let go of those sentimental things, but until then, don’t let anyone make you feel bad for hanging on to a memory, even if it is in an object.
HON S82ABCS is an example of a nice, sturdy steel bookcase to store keepsakes on.
Instead, invest in a bookshelf or storage bins to put your keep sakes on/in. A nice, sturdy metal shelf unit works wonders in the garage or spare bedroom and provides extra storage space.
Leave a comment below of some strategies that have helped you or perhaps one you’d like to try…