DOWNSIZING

I really don’t like it when people accuse me of being a hoarder!  I just like to keep things in case I need them in the future! 

Well, this year I have finally gone through all of the boxes that I moved here four years ago from Medicine Hat.  At that time, I had a 1300 square foot office, with staff and desks, each of which was fully stocked with everything needed to carry out the tasks of the day.  Now I use my second bedroom to do telehealth.

In November I hired the Neat Freakss to help me finish off the downsizing chores.  We started in the office and after opening boxes and putting things together, were shocked at how many clips, staples, markers and tape I had.  I certainly won’t need to place another order in this lifetime!

The sealed containers in the closet held VHS recordings and cassette tapes, none of which had been used or would be used in the near future so that freed up a lot of space.

We worked away at dividing things into three piles: Keep, Give away and Garbage.  The giveaway was sub-divided into things for family and friends or things for charity.  Garbage was fairly easy as it consisted of shred, recycle or bag.  I didn’t like the Keep pile that was large but found that as I went through it, I became more and more ruthless!

Next, we tackled the two wire storage cages in the basement.  One was leased to hold the 3000 client files that need to be kept for ten years.  We are reducing this monthly by shredding boxes that are labelled with the destroy date and have only about half of what was brought here when I moved. 

Now the embarrassing part.  I have a personal storage case that has mostly indoor and outdoor Christmas decorations.  AND twenty-seven boxes of university assignments.  People wonder why I kept them, and my reply is that it was just easier to throw them into a box but, after twenty-two years and four degrees the pile became a monster.

The professional organizers said that I am a wonderful customer for two unique reasons:  1.  I am ruthless and once I get started I quickly say “Get rid of it” before I allow myself time to think too hard;  2.  I am extremely well organized.  Each university class was neatly labelled, with paper clips and hole-punched papers in binders.  I have heard that when you die your life flashes in front of you.  Well, the three of us that had experience as we were for five and a half hours dismantling everything.  The papers were put in recycling, the binders were donated and the clips will be used for years to come.

When we were finally finished, we were dusty, tired and soooooo relieved. 

What have you been storing that you haven’t used for years?  Do you have boxes of items that you cannot name without opening the box?  Who would treasure the things that you don’t need or want anyone?

You have about three weeks until Christmas.  Why not take a few hours and attack a place that needs your attention?  You will feel so good – and it will also give you an interesting story to tell others.

Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice.   Visit  www.LindaHancock.com  or email her at  office@drlindahancock.com.