Health HQR | Elimination Day

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Elimination Day

James Brausch

I'm a big fan of elimination. Sometimes I have what I call an "Elimination Day". It's a day when I go through stuff I don't need. Many people have items in their possession that do nothing but take up space. Sometimes there is a mental attachment with the items. Sometimes people will use the "someday" excuse. "Some day I will use it for something". Then, (not surprisingly) that someday doesn't come.

This elimination process can be used for anything in your household. For example: food. Donate the stuff you don't eat, or the stuff that is bad for your health. Another example is furniture. Check the garage first, and then check your house. You will find stuff. I commonly eliminate books. Most books are often read only one time, especially fiction books. They are usually the first to go. There are plenty of other people in the world that would enjoy receiving a book they haven't read yet.

After continuing the process of elimination, you will realize that you have given away about 80% of the items you never use. Maybe you decided to eliminate the books you had in your possession. If you were not able to get rid of more than about 80% of them, either you reuse a lot of your books, or you just can't part with them because you are still using the "someday" excuse. Maybe there is an emotional attachment? Maybe your mom gave you the book on your 21st birthday. So what? Would she really care or be hurt if you gave it away to someone else who could use it more than you? Probably not!

When you realize that you only need the things you use regularly, you'll begin to see other things to eliminate. Clothes, food, furniture...

Many clothes can be eliminated. You probably know which clothes you wear more often. You have your favorite set of daily clothes, and then you have your favorite set of dressier clothes. But every time you look in your closet (usually in the back), you see that old stuff you just can't imagine yourself wearing anymore. Sometimes they just won't fit anymore.

Take them out!

Stuff them in a bag or box and bring them to a donation bin. There are all kinds of places including churches, consignment shops and thrift stores to take clothes to.

Then check your attic and garage for "stuff". I know a number of people who don't store their car in their garage. They don't because they can't! They've mistakenly used their entire garage to store decades of "stuff" they don't use!

Add your own Elimination Day to your calendar. You won't regret it. I also highly recommend an Elimination Day prior to moving anywhere. It will save you more than just moving costs.