5 steps to breaking down the collecting mentality

by Jen (July 22, 2008)

I used to collect stuff. There came a time when I realized my collections were cluttering up my home so much they’d become an annoyance rather than a pleasure. I knew the thing to do was let go, but I couldn’t. I mean, what if I never found these things again? What if they were someday worth gazillions on eBay?

It took years for me to convince myself to let them go and never look back - here’s how I did it.

1. Figure out what you could sell your collection for right now, and think about things you could do with that money. Maybe you could pay off a whole credit card or your car. Maybe you could have a vacation. There’s got to be something you could do with that money that you’d love more than the collection.
2. Figure up the exact amount of space it’s taking up, and imagine what you’d do with that space. Maybe fill it in with something you’d enjoy more. Maybe leave it open do you have more room to breathe!
3. Check out the dust. If you’re at all allergic to or annoyed by dust, keep reminding yourself how much dust it collects and how much time it takes to keep it clean. (Or how nasty it gets if you don’t keep it clean.)
4. Keep reminding yourself of the six month rule. If you’re like me, it’ll take a long time to get it through your head, so repeat it often!
5. Promise yourself something in return for dumping the collection. Bargaining is always helpful when you’re trying to bring yourself to do something you’d rather not. Go ahead - promise your inner child a present for letting you do what your adult self knows is best.
6. Enlist the help of others. If you know anybody who dislikes clutter or doesn’t care about your collection, ask them to help you talk yourself into it.

If you really want to talk yourself into something, there’s always a way.

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