2. discard and sort

(#2 of 6 principles to help you organize your work, your home, your family, your life...)

“Of all the work simplification techniques, discard and sort is by far the most important and usually the most difficult!”

(sigh...I thought so)

Here is the bare bones of discarding and sorting:

1. Determine the function of the room or area in which you are working (e.g. you probably won’t store dress shoes, old picture frames and gardening tools in the kitchen where you prepare and eat meals, and store food, dishes and utensils).

2. Work in one area at a time. Keep three boxes and a trash can with you.
Box 1 - holds anything that belongs in another room.
Box 2 - holds things to give away or sell.
Box 3 - holds things you’re not sure about.

3. Things to ask yourself as you consider what to do with the various items:
i] Do I really need this?
ii] What is the worst thing that would happen if I got rid of it?
iii] How long has it been since I used it?
iv] Do I need so many?

4. After sorting:
i] Put the objects in Box 1 where they below.
ii] Immediately donate or sell contents of Box 2
iii] Store Box 3 in an inconvenient, out-of-the-way place. If the items in the box are not missed and remain unneeded for several months, you can probably do without them.

5. Preventative maintenance:
i.] When tempted to buy something new ask: Where am I going to put this?
ii] and: Will this be time-consuming to maintain?
ii] and: Will I really use this?
iii] and (my addition to the Confessions of an Organized Homemaker’s list): Are the disposables* needed for this item readily available and reasonably priced?
iv] Keep a list of things you’d like to buy someday. If an item stays on your list for a long time without you buying it, you know you can probably do without it.
v] Learn to say “no thanks” to castoffs (hear, hear Violet).
vi] Always keep a recycle box handy.

Now, wasn’t that heartbreaking fun?

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*Disposables are things like:
- vacuum cleaner - the bags.
- whipped cream gun - the little gas canisters.
- plastic bag sealer thingy - the specific plastic roll needed for it to work properly.
- odd-shaped binders and diaries - the right-sized paper with holes punched in the right places.