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Where Can I Donate Medical Supplies?

6/28/2024

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How to Declutter Overwhelming Spaces in 3 Easy Steps

5/6/2024

 
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Decluttering can be a daunting task, especially when faced with large or difficult areas. However, with a little planning and dedication, it is possible to tackle even the most cluttered areas and transform them into organized and functional spaces. 
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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DECLUTTER?
Overwhelming spaces can cause stress and anxiety, making it difficult to focus and be productive. 
However, decluttering these spaces can help create a sense of calm and order as well as a number of other benefits, as Yale University highlights including freeing up useful space, clearing your mind, improving your health and safety, becoming more productive, and helping others.

The good news is, in just three simple steps, you can tackle even the most overwhelming of spaces and transform them into organized and functional areas. Below is our three-step strategy, plus tips and strategies for decluttering overwhelming spaces effectively.

​STEP 1 - HAVE A PLAN
The first step in decluttering overwhelming spaces is to assess the space and create a plan of action. This involves identifying the specific areas that need to be decluttered and setting goals for what you want to achieve.

Pro Tip:
It can be helpful to break down the decluttering process into smaller tasks and tackle one area at a time. This will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and help you stay focused on the task at hand.

STEP 2 - TIME CHUNKS
Once you have a plan sketched out, the second step in decluttering an overwhelming space is to set aside enough dedicated time to work on the project. This may seem daunting at first, but breaking the task into smaller chunks can make it more manageable. 

Start by identifying the areas that are causing the most overwhelm and prioritize them early in your schedule. By completing high-impact areas first, you gain momentum that makes the rest of the work easier.

Pro Tip:
Create a schedule for decluttering sessions based on what works best for you to be successful. It could be 30 minutes each day or a few hours over a weekend. By committing to this time, you are more likely to make progress and see results.

STEP 3 - SORT & DO THE EASIEST FIRST

The final step is to declutter and simplify the space.
Begin by clearing out all items from the area and sorting them into just three categories: Donate, Keep, Trash/Recycle. Be sure to have boxes or bags on hand for items that you plan to donate, sell, or throw away.

If your goal is to significantly downsize, you will be most successful if you are a bit ruthless in getting rid of items that you no longer need or use, as well as keeping a sample of sentimental items rather than all of them.

To get a fast start and quick success, start with the easiest items first - things you know you want to get rid of. Also, clear out large items first. It will quickly create open space and reduce your feelings of overwhelm, making it easier to get at the smaller items.

​When deciding whether to keep or get rid of an item, consider its sentimental value, usefulness, and condition. Be mindful of keeping items that truly add value to your life and letting go of items that are no longer necessary, are duplicates in some way, or are no longer in good condition. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you have used or needed an item in the past year. If the answer is no, it is probably time to let go of it.

Pro Tip:
Create designated zones for different categories of items 
as you sort such as clothes, books, or office supplies. This will make re-shelving easier as well as helping organize items for donation, giveaway or sale.

​After sorting, t
ake the time to clean surfaces and remove any dust or clutter that may have accumulated. Take time before you put items away to create designated storage spaces for items that you want to keep. This can include shelves, bins, and storage containers. By having a specific place and sufficient room for each type of item, you can prevent clutter from building up again in the future. It can also make it easier to find and access items when you need them.

Pro Tip:
Donate or give away the items you no longer want. Why not sell items? Selling take extra time and effort resulting in items that were intended for sale ending up cluttering shelves once again. Giving items away can be an immediate nexrt step, as well as a more satisfying way to divest of your unwanted items. It can bring joy and aid to friends, family and people in your community. To find the best home for donations near you, search for organizations on DonateGoodStuff.org.


YOU CAN DO THIS
Decluttering overwhelming spaces is a manageable task with a little bit of planning. By taking an organized approach, categorizing items, and creating designated storage areas, you can transform cluttered areas into simplified, organized and functional spaces. Remember that decluttering is a process, so be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress along the way. With determination and effort, you can declutter even the most overwhelming spaces to create a more peaceful and harmonious environment.
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Declutter & Simplify: Get Started with these 2 Free Tools

1/16/2024

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Where Can I Donate a Car Seat?

4/27/2023

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We receive this question frequently and know many people wonder what to do with used car seats, so we put together a resource for donating, giving, and recycling.

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Give the Gift of Music: Where and How to Donate Musical Instruments

1/12/2023

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Are you a musician who has an extra instrument lying around that you’re not using? Or are you a music enthusiast looking for a way to give back to your community in a meaningful way? Have you ever considered donating your musical instruments?

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9 Amazingly Simple Items You Never Thought To Donate

11/1/2022

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Here are 9 items to consider donating as you de-clutter

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When you think of donating items, you probably think of clothes, furniture, and household items. There are many things outside of the usual list that nonprofits need to serve our communities everyday that you might not be aware of.

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10 Natural DIY Cleaners that are Good for Your Health, Wallet, and the Environment

5/24/2022

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Welcome New Organizations! - April/May 2022

5/18/2022

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5 Top Tips for Successful Spring Cleaning

5/17/2022

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Refurbish, Donate, Upcycle or Recycle? What to do with Old Computers

4/26/2022

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5 Simple Steps for Spring Decluttering That You Can Do Today

4/23/2022

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Celebrate Earth Month! 10 Simple 'Green' Actions to Take Even If You're Busy

4/22/2022

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​One of the biggest challenges most people face when making a change is the time an energy to do it. With easy swaps, and a little creativity, you can incorporate them into what you are already doing everyday and make a difference for our planet. We pulled together 10 actions that don't require lots of time or planning that you can take this month leading up to Earth Day.

We even added some BUSY PERSON HACKS for anyone who feels short on time and energy.
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Where To Donate Supplies for Ukraine

3/18/2022

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One Minimalist's Journey - Success Tips You Need to Get Started

3/15/2022

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If clutter is stress, it is no wonder minimalism is a hot topic. Decluttering is an important step (and has been happening with gusto throughout the pandemic) but what about Amazon home-delivery-fueled ‘Re-cluttering’? People have been looking for inspiration and guidance to live more cleanly and simply so we wanted to talk to someone who is doing it. 

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Welcome New Organizations - March 2022

3/9/2022

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13 Easy and Eco-friendly Ways to Deal with Your Old Mattress

3/1/2022

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There are an estimated 36 million mattresses sold each year in the United States. We all use them and know the struggle of figuring out what to do with them at the end of their useful life. 

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Celebrating Black History

2/25/2022

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15 Ideas for an Earth-Friendly Valentine's Day

2/10/2022

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Valentine's Day is the day to show the important people in your life how much they mean to you. You can love the earth and love them, too! Here are some sweet ideas from across the creative web.
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Decluttering is a Gift of Love, and 5 Other Things I Learned

2/4/2022

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Welcome to our Newest Nonprofits!

2/1/2022

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We are excited to welcome a group of new organizations to the Donate Good Stuff family - The Puzzler's Exchange, Schoolhouse Supplies, Community Kitchen, Planting People Growing Justice, People Serving People, and Community Thread. Here is the who, where, and what they need:

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Do the 15-day Reduce, Reuse, Recycle New Year Challenge!

1/4/2022

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5 Fascinating Year-End Cleaning Traditions You Should Try

12/28/2021

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Eco-Friendly Holiday Tips From Around the Web

12/14/2021

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Food Pantries are Struggling: What Do They Need Most Right Now?

12/1/2021

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8 Best Holiday Giving Ideas (Not Impacted by the Supply Chain Crisis)

11/10/2021

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