Another Time Around

Clutter Guilt
You walk by that overstuffed closet four times a day and feel that same guilty pang every single time. Or you gaze helplessly at your overflowing closet, shoe shelves, and dresser drawers and despair about where to even start! You know you would feel infinitely better about yourself if you just dug it all out and got rid of the clutter.

You imagine the freedom of filling trashbag after trashbag and just throwing it all out...but then there's that pang of guilt again, because throwing it away is so wasteful, or you remember all the money you spent on the thingamabob that's still in the unopened box...so you cram it all back in and slam the door shut.

One step at a time, my friend. You can be free of your clutter and still sleep at night guilt-free!

1. Get two large cardboard boxes and one laundry basket. Tape a sign on each: "Donate" and "Trash" on the boxes and "Consign" on the laundry basket.

2. Women's, and children's clothing, shoes, and accessories in good condition that you don't wear anymore and outgrown go into the "Consign" basket. Usable items in working condition that you don't use go into the donate box. Items that would be no good to anyone (broken, missing pieces, very dirty, etc) go into the trash box.

3. As soon as you are done with your sort, close up the trash box and take out to your trashcan. Don't give yourself time to rethink; just do it.

4. Close up the donate box and take out to your vehicle. Again, don't give yourself time to think about it; just do it. The next time you go anywhere, swing by your local charity and drop it off. Remember to get a receipt for your tax-deductible donation.

5. Take the consign basket to a well-lighted area and do a quick check, making sure each item is free of stains and that zippers and buttons are present and working. Lay your items as flat as possible back into the laundry basket. Cover the basket with a clean bath towel and put in your car.

6. Head over to Another Time Around. You don't need an appointment; you can bring items between 10:30 and 4:00, Monday through Friday and 10:30 and 3:00 on Saturdays. You can choose to earn money with your items or accumulate store credit.

Yes, it is that easy! Guilt-free AND clutter-free...does it get any better?