Step 2: The Great Purge

(AKA "The Art of Letting Go... of That Spatula Collection")

Operation: Dynamite Downsizing

Key Takeaway:

Materials Needed:

• Heavy-Duty Trash Bags: More than you think. No, even more than that.
• Sturdy Boxes For storage-bound items and for donations. NOTE: Boxes can be purchased at the Lowe's in Springfield or nearby hardware store or even used ones given away at some grocery stores or on Facebook marketplace.
• Packing Tape: The good stuff. Don't skimp here, unless you enjoy "Box Bottom Bingo." NOTE: This can also be purchased at your nearby hardware store.
• Zip-lock bags: No, not for sandwiches, but for little things, like nuts, bolts, screws, barrettes, hair ribbons, or Legos that you want to keep together. NOTE: This can be purchased where you buy your groceries.
• Gloves (Optional, but recommended for the "Archaeological Dig" sections of your closets and drawers)
• A Designated "Farewell Friend" (Optional): One partner who is slightly less sentimental and can gently (or not so gently) encourage letting go.

Action Plan:

• For each item, ask yourself:
• "Have I used this in the last year?" (Be honest, that bread maker is judging you.)
• "Does this bring me genuine joy, or just the faint aroma of mothballs?"
• "If we saw this in a store today, would we buy it again?" (Spoiler: probably not the singing fish.)
• The "Keep, Donate, Store, or Toss" Summit: This is where the fun begins! Go through each room, and have a box for each category (if you are moving); otherwise, label the boxes ‘donate' and ‘store' and a trash bag - one for recycling and one for trash. Just put away the items in the keep category. If you’re moving, these can be organized for efficient packing later.
• The Donation Dash: Make a pile with items that can bring joy to someone else. Schedule a pickup or plan a drop-off in Step 4. Feel the lightness of being! Here are a few suggestions in the Springfield, Missouri area:
• Renewed Treasures Thrift Store
• Kars 4 Kids
• Habitat for Humanity
• Blind Community Thrift Store
• The Digital Detox (for Physical Media): Consider digitizing old photos, CDs, and DVDs. Do you really need three copies of "Titanic" on VHS? If not, arrange for electronics donations or recycling. Here are a few local suggestions in Springfield, Missouri:
• Red Racks Thrift Store(s)
• Complete Electronics Recycling
• LoadUp
• Habitat for Humanity.
• eSCO Processing and Recycling
• What’s the Purpose of my Storage unit? Storage units are frequently used to house items that are seasonal, such as holiday decor, skiing equipment, winter clothes, or your summer wardrobe. Others store children’s clothes for “hand-me-downs” for younger siblings. You may want to store your entire household if you are moving until you can purchase your dream house. You can store furniture, dishes, etc. from your parents’ home until your children move out on their own. Take a look at the storage unit sizes available at Best West Storage in Springfield, MO to decide what’s best for you. They have a size estimator on their website to help you out.
• The "One Year Out" Rule for Storage: For items heading to the storage unit, ask: "Will I genuinely need this within the next year?" (You know the seasonal items, like Christmas decor or things you take to the lake). If the answer is a hesitant "maybe-ish", reconsider. Storage units aren't meant to be time capsules for things you'll never touch again (unless it is something ugly that your Aunt Bessie gave you and you need to set it out when she comes to town). Best West Storage in West Springfield, Missouri, has different-sized units that can fill the need in this category.

Comedy Break:

Pro-Tip: