There can be many reasons a person has trouble letting go of the things they own. But if stuff has taken over your house, it is time to do something about it. Here are some options, Pack Rats (and yes, I do need to take my own advice!).
1. Have a Yard Sale
It can be hard to let go of things we think still have value. Sometimes, selling those items can make it less painful. A well done yard sale can net hundreds of dollars. Knowing that they will still be getting used and also getting money for it can be the way to go for some people. This may also be one of the best options if you are moving. To maximize your yard sale’s success, be sure to advertise effectively. For instance, if you were holding a yard sale in Wyandotte, MI, you’d want to place eye-catching yard signs in Wyandotte, MI and surrounding areas to draw in potential buyers. No matter where you live, strategic placement of yard signs in high-traffic areas can help attract more customers to your sale.
2. Give it to Charity
If a yard sale seems like too much work, it may make more sense to donate extra stuff to charity. It will still see use, but won’t be cluttering up your space anymore. If you can write it off on your taxes, bonus! This may be the way to go if you are trying to deal with inherited objects that mean little to you and you just don’t want the hassle anymore.
3. Rent Storage Space
If you have a fledgling business or are working from home, selling or giving away your things may make no sense. Yet, you may still need to get some relief from the excess clutter. In this case, a place like Self Storage 2000 may be the best answer. Just because you need to hang onto your business assets doesn’t mean you need to be held hostage by them in your own home. Storage space can be the ideal way to have your cake and eat it too.
4. Hire an Organizing Expert
For a fee, you can get someone to come in and help you decide what stays and what goes. If you are holding onto nostalgia, they may help you turn a giant pile of old newspapers and the like into one or more cherished scrapbooks. Getting an outsider’s perspective is sometimes the best answer if the problem is intractable, you feel overwhelmed and just have no idea where to start.
What may look like Pack Rat Syndrome to outsiders can really have a number of different root causes. Understanding why different things have accumulated, and that some things really do have value and need to stay, can make a big difference. Once you find the right thread to pull, this tangled problem can finally start to come unraveled.
