There’s something about spring that urges us to get things in shape. Whether or not your own version of spring cleaning has begun, there are benefits and opportunities that can make it a more pleasant experience.
For our grandmothers (and their grandmothers) spring cleaning was an annual ritual involving rug beaters, mattress turning, fresh air and deep cleaning. It went on for days until every nook and cranny was spotless.
One thing that sets us apart from our tidy ancestors is the amount of stuff we have in our houses. Mindless Accumulation has been a favorite pastime of too many of us, cheered on by marketing mad men who have been sadly successful in selling us on the notion that happiness lies in The Next Thing.
It’s a practice which was scorned by Frank Lloyd Wright who designed his houses without attics or basements in an attempt to convince people to stop using their homes as storehouses for things they neither wanted nor needed.
Spring is a fine time to commit to Mindful Acquisition. That can’t happen until we unburden ourselves from things that no longer suit the 2010 version of ourselves.
Depending on the amount of things you wish to dispose of, you may find that the chore can be accomplished with more enthusiasm if you turn it into a profit center. Here are a few not-so-original ways to do just that.
* List things on Craigslist. Bargain hunters haunt these online listings and someone may be looking for that old bookcase or playpen that’s just taking up space.
* Consign. If your community has clothing or furniture consignment shops, let them do the marketing for you and share the profits.
* Donate. Many charities offer home pickups or have drop boxes scattered around the community. Goodwill has pickup areas with attendants throughout my hometown making it easy to leave unwanted items and get a receipt so you can take the appropriate deduction on your taxes next year.
* Organize a garage sale. Yes, it can be a lot of work, but it can also be a source of cash. Different cities have their own policies about what you can and can’t do if you decide to become a temporary merchant.
My friend John Schroeder, the author of a terrific handbook, Garage Sale Fever, has tips and great advice on his blog for making the most of selling (or buying).
*Join forces. Last year, Alice Barry organized a mini-flea market in her front yard. She contacted friends and entrepreneurs who had items to sell (both used and handmade) and had a weekend extravaganza. Like a regular market, Alice provided the space and advertising and took a percentage of every vendor’s sales. It was a huge undertaking, but a nice idea that helped other sellers as well.
If you need a bit of inspiration, check out It’s All Too Much by Peter Walsh, who does a brilliant job of helping folks disconnect with possessions that have outlived their usefulness.
Or simply remind yourself of Alexandra Stoddard’s observation: “Life is too short to spend it being the caretaker of the wrong things.”
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