Even worn-out DVDs and T-shirts that we haven't viewed in ten years or more somehow manage to make us happy, so any attempt to get rid of items is bound to be difficult.
In order to eventually declare at least some of those goods ready to go, perhaps we needed a more moderate push. The slow-roll shakeup is our most recent effort to clear out a bit more clutter. Instead of immediately putting anything out the door, we put it in a "holding zone" bin to give ourselves time to adjust to the concept of releasing it.
Try these suggestions to see if you can use this decluttering technique to get rid of some of your obstinate clutter keepers or persistent cluttered areas.
How This Method of Decluttering Operates
Whether you want to organize a drawer or shelf or a complete room, this strategy may be used for any kind of decluttering job. How to incorporate it into your decluttering regimen is shown here.
When setting up your decluttering session, include a "holding zone" box or bin.
Sorting into many piles or bins—to keep, to give away, and to trash—is the first step in the majority of decluttering techniques. The "maybe later" or holding zone bin is your fourth choice if you choose the slow-roll method. That's where you put those items that you're not entirely sure you want to keep or that you know deep down you can probably get rid of, like the board game you love but can't get your family to play with you or the jeans you haven't been able to fit into for the last five years.
You can avoid the obstacles and the exhaustion of letting go immediately by keeping that "maybe later" bag.
Put the trashcan away—for a short time.
While you adjust to life without those things, find a discreet location to store your holding zone bin. It is obvious that an object must remain in storage if you find yourself having to remove it while it is there.
Establish a due date.
Put it in your calendar, write it on the box, and display it on your refrigerator: There should be a clear shelf life for that "maybe later" bucket. It goes without saying that the sooner, the better, but try to limit it to no more than three months so you don't keep these things forever (just in a more secret location).
Give away or sell everything.
Everything that is remaining in the box needs to be removed by the deadline. Whether you sell the items at a garage sale, donate them to a charity, or give them away on a Buy Nothing group, send them out into the universe. Don't even look inside the box if you're worried about fumbling with the contents when it's time to bid them a final goodbye. Have a family member or acquaintance who is less sentimental go through everything and prepare the items for donation or sale.
Advantages of This Method of Decluttering
If you have a very difficult time getting rid of things or have already made an initial pass and still have too much stuff, this might be the best option to get rid of everything. You might be able to break that connection and release the things by temporarily placing them in limbo.
Because you won't have to cope with the feelings that come with parting with something you love, you might also discover that you breeze through your next decluttering session.
Drawbacks to Take Into Account
The holding zone has limitations, much like any other decluttering technique. The important point is that if you're a procrastinator, the "maybe later" box might remain there indefinitely, and that stuff will just keep collecting dust in your house rather than being used.
Finding a place to store all those things is another problem. Additionally, as you wait for the delay to work its magic, the holding zone will still take up a lot of room in your house if you've sorted more goods there than anyplace else.
However, if you're willing to get rid of the clutter after the allotted period has elapsed, it may be worth the brief expense.
