Get Organized Mission #34: Donate 50 Things

[RoboBlogger]

In Mission 1 we Filled a Hu-u-ge Trash Bag. In Mission 8 we Decluttered 50 Items.

Now it’s time again to get rid of more stuff – to simplify life, have more space, get better organized, and, especially in this mission, give something to others.

Remember: you only need 30 minutes for the basic mission. Extended Options are below.

If you’re new, you might like to start here -> 52 Organizing Missions.

Organizing Mission #34: Donate 50 Things

Step 1: Grab a bag

Find yourself a large trash bag, several small bags, or a big box.

Step 2: Set the timer

Set a kitchen timer or phone alarm for 30 minutes. Or click here –> Start 30-Minute Timer.

Step 3: Gather at least 50 things to donate

Start filling the bag as you move through your home. Don’t stop until you have at least 50 items.

Throw into the bag anything that:

• You don’t use
• You don’t like
• Has negative associations
• Is no longer your style
• Keeps you stuck in the past
• Is more than you need to feel good about your space.

See below for room-by-room examples.

Step 4: Put it in your car boot

As soon as you’re done, take your donation collection straight out to the car -or even drop it directly at the charity store/bin if you’re so motivated. Just be sure to remove the temptation to look in the bag or to rescue released items later.

Examples of Items To Donate

Living Room

• Unloved rugs, throws and cushions
• Unloved ornaments, gifts, vases, etc
• Books you’ve read and won’t re-read
• Books you’ll never read
• No-longer needed magazine racks
• Excess coasters
• Unloved/excess photos frames
• Knickknacks that don’t enhance your space
• ‘Displayed’ items on shelves that hold no meaning for you
• Extra pieces of furniture
• Unloved lamps
• Unused treadmills, bikes, exercise balls, etc
• No-longer used entertainment devices – TVs, DVD players, stereos, etc
• No-longer-played DVDs and CDs

Study

• Excess stationery you won’t use this decade
• Knickknacks that provide no meaning, beauty or inspiration
• Functional phones, computers, cells, PDAs, etc that you don’t need
• Supplies, storage containers and accoutrements relating to abandoned craft, knitting, scrapbooking, and other projects
• Old lamps, chairs and other equipment in good condition

Closet

• Anything (clothes, footwear, coats, purses, accessories, etc) you’ve not worn in a year
• Anything that doesn’t fit
• Anything that’s not your style
• Anything that’s unflattering on you
• Anything that’s uncomfortable, scratchy or ill-fitting (it may be perfect on someone else)
• Anything you bought ages ago that still has the label on it
• Anything with negative memories or associations

Kitchen/Dining

• Mismatched or unloved crockery
• Mismatched or unloved cutlery
• Cookware, plungers, teapots, gadgets, and sundry infomercial purchases not used in the past 12 months
• Cookbooks not used in the past 12 months
• Knickknacks you don’t love
• Fancy appliances you never use
• Doubles of utensils, cookware, etc

Bathroom

• Excess, unused towels, bathmats, etc
• Excess, unopened perfumes, lotions, etc
• Unloved bathroom ornaments
• Storage gizmos that encourage clutter

Kids’ Stuff

• No-longer-used toys
• No-longer-used games consoles
• Outgrown clothes
• Outgrown CDs, DVDs, etc
• Outgrown back-packs

Garden

• Unused patio furniture
• Unloved garden ornaments 

Dos & Don’ts

• Don’t try to organize rooms, cupboards or drawers. That’s not our focus right now.
• This mission is about getting rid of stuff so do keep an out-it-goes mindset.
• You want to average a couple of items every minute, so do move quickly.
• If your gut feel is to release something from your life, then do toss it into the bag – regardless of what it cost. If you don’t use it, let it go to someone who will.

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

• If you get to 50 donation items and want to keep going, then do. Put on some music, dance around, do whatever you like to have fun with it. 
• If other household members want to participate, give them their own bag and encourage them to let go of stuff.
• If you also want to tackle stuff that’s not fit for donation, then grab another bag and do a second rubbish run.

Ready, Set, Go!

Remember – move quickly, act fast, don’t overthink.

Start The 30-Minute Timer

Before You Go: Check In!

Please add a comment to say you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment.

And see you back here next week!

Track Your Progress: 52 Organizing Missions Workbooks

Same great missions, now in lovely printable workbooks. Each mission includes a fully interactive:

-  Planning Worksheet
-  To-Do List
-  Success Journal.

Workbook 1: Missions 1-13 (116 pages) 
Workbook 2: Missions 14-26 (120 Pages)
Workbook Set (get both workbooks and save 25%)

Workbooks 3 & 4 available later this year.

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jordan_wooley/ / CC BY-SA 2.0]

Related posts:

1. Get Organized Mission #1: Fill a Hu-u-uge Trash Bag
2. Organize Your Living Area [Mission #31]
3. Get Organized To Reduce Stress [Mission #30]

More...