Photo by Mr.T in

“Order is Heaven’s first law,” said Alexander Pope, an 18th-century English poet. Pope was referring to the inverse relationship between clutter and happiness.

Clutter is a common side affect in our current consumer culture. We buy more, get more, and keep more. When things overstay their welcome, we refuse to let them go and eventually put them in storage, or the garage to keep them for a later date. Is there really a reason to get rid of those extra things sitting around? The act of decluttering is not meant to be a weight around our neck dragging us down either. The process is meant to lighten our baggage, both physical and mental.

Donating to churches, and charitable organizations such as Goodwill, is a fine way to up your charitable budget without using cash.

Go green: if old toasters, hair dryers, and books are handed around to different people, less stuff would need to be produced. Give your old stuff a new lease on life with a new owner, and help the environment at the same time.

You can also sell your items through auction sites such as eBay. Be prepared to take pictures, write up descriptions of your items, and make trips to the post office to ship your item. Another alternative is Craigslist, but make sure to follow the safety rules listed on their website.

It can also be worthwhile to look into estate sales companies; they can help assess the value, attract serious buyers, and in general they can bring in a higher dollar amount. Recently, I read about an estate sales company that sold a coffee advertising tin that was used to hold nails in the garage for $2,500.

The first day of spring is March 20, but any time is the right time to get your home in order.

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