GTFO Box

Isn't it strange how many items creep into our lives?  It seems to me that even when my husband and I are very consciously not purchasing anything beyond groceries, new-to-us items find their way into our living space.  Some of these items come by way of my husband's magical ability to procure free things; some of them come from the side of the road; many of them come from my mom who is very generous with all the things that she finds for free at the recycling center near her house.  In any event, it was realized one day that a cycle needed to be completed:  

a) item comes into our apartment

b) item enjoys its useful life 

c) item is no longer needed and sits there taking up space

d) item needs to GTFO!  

Our solution to the stuff imbalance was three-fold:  

1.  We became critical of what we acquired.  Not just by shopping, but with those free acquisitions as well.  We asked each other:  "Do you really NEED this?  Can you borrow something similar?  Can you use your creativity to meet your need in another way?"

2.  We set up a GTFO box in our house.  

3.  We designated a time to donate!  

  

The only things that I want in my living space are:  things that I use on a regular basis and things that I love.  If the item doesn't fall into either of those categories, it really shouldn't be taking up space in my home.  When we clear all the items out of our apartment that don't fall into either one of those categories, we will be able to move to a less expensive apartment (and until we do, our current space will feel so bright, open and airy)!  By getting rid of belongings at a slow pace, we will be able to make decisions with mindfulness.  

Try this thought on for size:  even if you get an item for free, you're paying for it in some way, shape or form if you bring it into your living space.  You're paying to house it, to clean it, and to maintain it.  You're being charged by your inanimate objects merely by their presence.  Even thrift store finds can drain your time and resources if they are superfluous to your needs.  But wait....who has the thinking brain in this equation?  You do!  

Remember:  if you don't use it on a regular basis, or you don't absolutely love it, then it needs to GO.

In our household, the GTFO Box is just a cardboard box (I snag the boxes that the paper comes in from the office where I work).  Things that my son has outgrown and aren't really worth saving for my other mommy friends go in the box.  Last week I couldn't find what I wanted in my pajama drawer because it was hidden by a bunch of pairs of pajama pants that I didn't like.  Guess what?  The undesired pajama pants went  in the box. 

If you don't follow through on step three, all you've done is move your item from its original location to a box.  It's important to set up a time to bring your box to the Salvation Army or Goodwill or whatever on a regular basis.  Be religious about it!  In our household, it makes sense for us to bring our box to the Salvation Army when we do our weekly grocery shopping, as the Salvation Army is just a bit down the road from our preferred grocery store.  Find what makes sense for you, and stick to it.  If you have larger items that need to GTFO (such as furniture), we've had good luck with posting an ad on Craigslist.  You may also wish to try calling the Salvation Army or Goodwill sometimes offer free furniture pick-up.      

As you start your continual purging process, try to be realistic.  You're not going to finish the process in one day.  This should be an ongoing process that is accompanied by a gradual change in the reasons behind acquiring your belongings.