The Joy of Less, a Minimalist Living Guide by Francine Jay Page A

over a year, it probably doesn’t belong here. Consider giving it to someone with more use for it; or if you have that much difficulty parting with it, put it in the Temporarily Undecided box. We don’t want to devote valuable space to unused stuff; we want to save it for the good stuff! Ditto for knickknacks, collectibles, and other decorations: if you’re not displaying them proudly and prominently, and if you don’t derive true pleasure from their presence, send them off to a new home where they’ll get the attention they deserve.
    Finally, let’s discuss the Transfer pile. In here belong all those perfectly good items that are no longer good for you . Don’t feel guilty about letting them go; set them free, and give them a new lease on life. Above all, resist the urge to hold on to something because you “might need it” someday—if you haven’t needed it yet, you likely never will. If by some chance you did, would you even be able to find it? Would it be in usable condition? Or would you probably run out and buy a shiny new one anyway? If it’s easily obtainable, or replaceable, better to let someone else use it now, than keep it waiting in the wings for a day that may never come.
    As you’re sorting, divide the Transfer pile into Give Away and Sell sections. Be generous! Something that’s been sitting in your house, unused and unloved, may bring a great deal of joy to, or fill the genuine need of, someone else. Make their day, and give yourself a pat on the back. Knowing that you’re doing good can make it much easier to part with your stuff. If you don’t have a specific recipient in mind for an item, offer it up on Freecycle. Simply list the things you’re giving away, and interested parties will contact you to retrieve them. Alternatively, give seldom-used items to someone who’ll use them more—like your power saw to a woodworking neighbor, or your sewing machine to a seamstress cousin—with the understanding that you can borrow them if the need arises.
    Don’t worry, you don’t have to spend weeks putting your possessions up for adoption. If you don’t have the time or inclination to find them specific homes, charitable organizations accept a wide range of goods. Goodwill, the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, religious organizations, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, thrift stores, and senior centers are well-equipped to distribute your donations to those who need them most. Your castoffs can do a world of good in your own community: consider giving books to your local library, office supplies to your children’s school, pet items to an animal shelter, and professional clothing to Dress for Success (www.dressforsuccess.org). You may be able to take a tax deduction for your generosity, so keep a list of donated items and their values, and obtain a receipt from the organization.
    Selling your stuff is another effective way to ease separation anxiety. Sometimes, it’s much easier to let something go when you can get some (or all) of your money back. In fact, the cash may bring you more happiness than the item itself! You have a choice of outlets through which to peddle your unwanted wares, from the traditional to the high-tech. If your castoffs are large in quantity and low in value, hold a garage or yard sale, or send them to a consignment shop. To unload more unique, collectible or expensive items, turn to the Internet: try online classifieds like Craigslist or auction sites like eBay. You can even sell used books, CDs, DVDs, video games, and other goods through retail giant Amazon (www.amazon.com).
    Great! Now that you’ve set up your sorting system, and you know what goes where, you can get to the business of clearing out some stuff. Focus like a laser beam, and declutter the drawer, closet, or room you chose to Start Over. Have fun with it—put on some upbeat music, dance around your piles, and kiss those castoffs goodbye! Once you’ve assigned every item to a category, those