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unnecessary things

12 August 2010

#225 Get rid of unnecessary things

What was I thinking?

What was I thinking?

Alexander Kandiloros is the 365-editor with the fastest mouth. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of film and is the author of the book Movie Quotes II: With a Vengeance, that came out last fall.

You know that feeling when you’re moving, and critically go through everything you have to pack, and garbage bag after garbage bag is filled with things you don’t need; that feeling when you throw the bags away? Relief. Freedom.

It’s an approach that doesn’t have to and shouldn’t be used only when moving.

Clean your home as you would during a move, even if you’re not going anywhere. Look around at things; clothes and paper work. Ask yourself, when did I last use this? Will I use it again? Really? Put the things someone else might have use for in the staircase or in front of the house if you live in a house with "Go ahead!" written next to it. Or hide the things around town in true 365-spirit with a friendly post-it note on them. The rest you give to charity, but some of it you have to throw away. And shortly afterwards, it’ll burn up in a purifying garbage fire somewhere.

Required time: 
1 day or less.
Cost: 
Free.
Cons: 
None.
Pros: 
Less to pack the next time you move. Easier to find what you're looking for. Order.
Taggar: unnecessary things, move, hide gifts, clean, alexander kandiloros, 365 things
30 April 2010

#121 Sell things you don't need

Just as potted plants in the home increase the oxygen level, an excessive amount of unnecessary stuff makes it harder to breathe. There is no need to store things you do not use; clothes you never wear, ornament dogs or porcelain angels you still have just because someone gave you them as a gift. There is really no reason to fill your home with crap that can also be of value to others. So. 1. Go through all the things you own – clothes, books, CDs, movies, trinkets ¬– and scrutinize the validity of each object with the following questions: - How often do I use this thing? - How would I feel if it disappeared? - Could anyone else get more use of it? Make sure to be tough and unsentimental, and think of how much space you can free-up (create). If you have four cheese grinders you can get rid of two. Do not forget to check the attic and basement. 2. Collect things in bags, boxes and crates. Find out how you can easily get rid of them. You can sell stuff on Craigslist, and eBay. Other potentially suitable places are charity shops, second-hand book stores and specialized stores for CDs and movies. You get the point. Make a list of your stops and take a full day to sell shit. 3. Add up all the money you have collected and calculate the sum. Donate it to charity or buy something you actually need.

Required time: 
One full day.
Cost: 
Free.
Cons: 
It can be a bit strange at home with half-empty shelves and half-empty cupboards. Relax, you will realize the beauty of it after a few days.
Pros: 
You don't have to dust as much, you get more space to live, and you're doing something good for people who have it fucking hard.
Taggar: unnecessary things, the things you own end up owning you, recycling, clothes, cleansing