Why are you keeping all this stuff?

You know what the real problem is with getting organized?

We have too much stuff! 

It's a lot easier getting rid of things, than it is creating more storage solutions to house those things.

I'm willing to bet you have some things that you (or someone you live with) keep without having a good enough reason.

So why DO we keep so much stuff?

The thing is, it's easier to find excuses for why you should keep something or to just keep putting off the decision on what to do with 'it' rather than making a firm (and sometimes difficult) choice to say goodbye to your 'stuff.'

Here are four often used excuses...

1. "I might need it one day."

Yes, you might. But the thing is most of the items we keep can easily be found or replaced within a day or two. Lots of blokes (my dad included) keep every screw and nail ever created and store them away in row upon row of jars in the workshop.

But what happens is these little tiny items create more and more clutter and it gets to a point where you can't find that little screw anyway because it's like finding a needle in a haystack.

2. "Once I've lost weight I'll be able to wear this again."

I hope if you have a goal to lose some weight, you do everything in your power to make it happen. And when you do, a good (non-food!) way to reward yourself is to find a sale and buy some brand new clothes.

3. "Great Aunt Maud gave me this."

I'm all for keeping memories and items that remind us of people we love.
But the truth is, memories are not in the clutter, the knick-knacks and "stuff" that's packed in a box.

I won't say get rid of everything and it's not always an easy decision. But try and just keep the special things you cherish. Take photographs of sentimental items that you really don't want to or have to keep.

4."I paid good money for this...thing!"

Of course you did. But the thing is, what has more value...this "item" you no longer have any use for or the way you enjoy your house? The item...or your happiness? The item... or your space? Pass it along to someone who will use it.

5. "Oh, I'm just not sure what to do with it..."

Okay then, so maybe it's not worth holding onto. If it takes that much work to figure out what to do with something, you can take a pretty good guess that it may not be worth as much to you as you think.

6. "I can't just through it out. It's useful!" 

If it's not useful to you though, offer it up to someone who may have a use for it. Freecycle is good for this, or donate it to a charity, keep it out of the land fill.

If you can't figure out what to do with something...it's a safe bet you won't miss it too much.