According to the International OCD Foundation, “It is estimated that around 2% – 6% of the population suffers from hoarding disorder.” Even excluding severe cases, many individuals across the country admit to having difficulty getting rid of their possessions. Whether it’s everything or only a few objects, everyone struggles when it comes time to purge their home of unnecessary objects. Here’s how to let go of the extra items plaguing your home.

Figure Out What You Use

Though you might feel like you need all your possessions, in reality, you only regularly use a small fraction of what’s around you. This is why if you suspect you have too much, you should pay special attention to what items you use daily. After tracking and separating the items, you’ll gain a better idea of what possessions are practical and which ones aren’t. Separating your needs and wants in this manner will also allow you to see how much you could conceivably get rid of. From here, you’ll be able to choose the right size dumpster for your cleaning project.

Be Realistic

We often keep broken appliances or tools because we believe we can fix and use them again. However, these projects often sit idle for months (or even years) because we forget about them. It’s important to acknowledge that even though you fully intend to fix something, you may not have the time to do so. If you never get around to working on these projects, then the appliance is simply collecting dust. You also need to be able to admit when a piece is beyond repair or not worth the investment to fix it.

Educate Yourself on What Things Are Worth

Our collections are extremely valuable to us. But just because an object has high sentimental value, doesn’t mean that it’s worth a lot monetarily. Often times, we tend to think that just because an object is old, it’s automatically worth more. If you insist on holding onto items because you want to sell them, it’s crucial that you thoroughly research the piece to ensure you don’t fall victim to a scam or hold onto something that isn’t as valuable as you think.

Know that a Memory Isn’t an Item

Sentimental attachment is one of the key reasons why we have trouble letting go of things. We associate an object with a specific memory or time in our lives and feel as though letting go of the object means we’re discarding the memory as well. This simply isn’t true. The object, while a catalyst that triggers a memory, isn’t the memory itself. To maintain the sentiment of the item without needing to keep it, consider taking pictures of it and jotting down a few sentences about its importance to remind you.

Relieve Yourself of Buyers Guilt

Another reason that we hold onto things is that we feel guilty for buying something we didn’t necessarily need. Take reassurance in knowing that everyone makes an unnecessary purchase at times and you can easily mitigate the mistake. If it hasn’t been too long since you’ve purchased the item, you could always try returning it to the store, selling it, or even giving it away to someone you know will use it.

If you’re looking for a way to get rid of your extra items fast and efficiently, Century Waste Management has the dumpster rentals in Detroit, Michigan to meet your needs.

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