Why haven't you gotten rid of the trash yet?

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

If you live in an apartment or house for a long time, the space starts to fill up with things that you don't use. What prevents you from throwing out all unnecessary things and how to get rid of them?

Trash always accumulates, but why is this happening? Why do we store unnecessary things instead of throwing them away?

Why do we have so many books on our shelves that we have already read? There are two reasons to leave them: to re-read when the desire arises, or to periodically look into them in order to clarify something.

However, with the spread of the Internet, the need to keep books "for reference" has practically disappeared, if these are not some rare specialized editions that cannot be found on the Internet. As for the books for re-reading, you must admit that there are not so many of them. So why do we continue to keep a huge pile of books at home, which are just gathering dust in the closet?

Or why do we need so many things in the kitchen? There are so many different pots and pans, saucepans and baking dishes, but we use one, and that is in a slow cooker. So why does everything else lie like a dead weight?

The truth is, it's really hard to get rid of the things you own. At the same time, it's easy to convince yourself that you need new ones, even if you already have a lot of the same things at home that you don't use.

And in both cases, the wrong choice is costly. All your books, unnecessary kitchen utensils, and other unused items are money that is just lying around. You could put them to better use.

Moreover, many things that you keep at home are used very rarely, and for this only occasion they can be borrowed from friends. Instead, they collect dust in your apartment, you spend effort on moving them, folding them, looking after them.

And again the question arises: why do we continue to store all this junk? Why do we accumulate it over and over again?

The real reasons for the accumulation of trash

The main reason is the fear of missed opportunities. It seems to us that all the things that we do not need now may be needed in the future. You come up with scenarios in which things can come in handy, and they look realistic, but rarely come to life.

The second reason is the pleasure of seeing all these things. For example, you like to see a fully equipped kitchen with all the gadgets you never use. But in this case, you can reduce the number of things, say, by half and leave only what is in sight.

And another reason: it takes an effort to get rid of things. It takes time and effort to get back at least some of the money we paid for things. Hand over to a thrift store, take a picture of the item and post an ad on Avito or on social networks. In any case, it will take time, and for some things it will not even be possible to return even the minimum amount.

So how can we force ourselves to get rid of the unnecessary, despite all the reasons that keep us from doing it? Here are some ways.

How to force yourself to get rid of the junk

1. Consider critically everything that you are about to buy

Every time you are about to buy something, remember if you have an item in your home that performs the same function. If there is, what is the better new thing? Why do you need to buy it? If you buy it, what will you do with the old thing? Be critical when buying new things, and then you will buy much less unnecessary.

2. Gradually get rid of things when the occasion falls

You don't have to post dozens of ads on Avito at once, selling everything you don't use, or lugging a bag of things to a thrift store. Such a large-scale activity will most likely scare you, and you will not take it on.

Instead, be careful and when an opportunity presents itself, sell or give items. For example, an acquaintance complains that his monitor is broken, and you have been collecting dust for the second year on your balcony unnecessary. Offer to buy yours or just donate it.

3. Reconsider your attitude towards things and experiences

Why is it fun for you to own things? Maybe as a child you didn't have the things you wanted, and that's why now the dusty collections make you melt with tenderness? In any case, the possession of things as such does not bring pleasure (unless the first half hour after purchase).

The real pleasure comes from the experience: reading books, cooking or eating, and other activities. But in order to do this, you do not need so many things, so is it worth keeping them?

4. If you are not using purchased items, you may not be who you think you are

You buy something, assuming that you will use it. For example, you bought a science fiction novel or even several, thinking that you will read them. If you end up not reading them, then you don't know your preferences or reading is no longer your hobby.

You buy things for your usual self, but if you do not use them, then perhaps you have changed. Then it's time to revise your purchases in accordance with the new version of yourself.

5. You are an example for your children

Your lifestyle, including your attitude towards consuming and hoarding unnecessary things, is an example for your children. Even if you don't teach it directly, children learn by simply watching pictures of a cluttered house and unnecessary purchases day after day.

The ideal life is full of excitement and pleasure, no matter how much possessions you have. Things that don't help you lead a fulfilling life are useless. They only steal your money and destroy your ability to become financially independent.

They fill the space and force you to buy larger apartments and houses that you don't really need. They take up your time, which is spent on tidying up and caring for these things.

At the same time, you do not need to radically change your life, property and the method of acquiring it. It is enough to be more meaningful about buying new things and using those that you already have.

One time to gather strength and throw out the trash is great. For a while you will enjoy cleanliness and spaciousness, but then mountains of rubbish will grow imperceptibly around you again.

Consuming and using your belongings intelligently is the only way to get rid of the junk for good.

And remember, every purchase made with an understanding of why you are spending money and how you can spend it more efficiently is your victory.