The Time Capsule

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31 Day Challenge: Day 20

I spent the entire day today decluttering that mess around my desk that I showed you on Day 7, The High Price of Disorder. I wish I had a picture to show you, but I always write at night when the lighting is bad.

Let’s just say that the end table is cleared and you can see the floor. 😉

One of the obstacles that can stand in your way when you are decluttering is sentimentality. I know I ran into it a few times today.

Do you keep something you don’t use just because of the memories?

Or are you ruthless enough to throw it away?

I did quite a bit of tossing today, but I confess to keeping a few small souvenirs from my trip last year to New York City. I got to visit the Empire State Building and stay at a very cute little hotel. My room key was navy with little white polka dots on it, so I kept it along with my ticket to the top of the Empire State Building. They don’t take up much space, so I thought it was OK.

But what do you do when you are faced with things that you want to keep just because? What happens when you can’t decide whether to toss it or keep it?

Well, if it’s tiny like my little keepsake, then keep it and find a place for it.

But what if you can’t decide?

If it really is bothering you, I suggest using a time capsule.

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Umm…not like that one. That actually looks a little creepy.

stuffNo, my time capsule is just a plain old cardboard box. And you’re not going to wait a hundred years to open it. 😉

Or maybe you are, in a way.

Here’s how my time capsule works: put anything that you are unsure about keeping into the box. Tape it shut really well – make it hard to open – and then write the date on the box. Put it someplace inconvenient, like the rafters in the garage.

In 6 months, if the box is still intact, throw it away or donate it, unopened.

If, in the last 6 months, you have wanted something from that box enough to go to the trouble of getting it down and opening it, then find a place for it in your home.

And if you got that box, opened it, and kept everything, well, you need more help than I can give you.

My husband and I lived in our first home for about 5 – 6 years. When we got ready to move, there were several boxes in the attic still unopened from when we had moved in.

Do you know what we did?

We took them right to the trash without ever looking inside.

And we never missed a thing.

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle is the writer of Lacyestelle.com and the Podcast host for An ADD Woman.

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