Clutter's Last Stand

My most recent read by Don Aslett, "America's #1 Cleaning Expert," was packed full of motivation to clean out my home. It also motivated me to want to clean out my parents' home. I think they have a clutter problem. It's time for the intervention mom and dad. I thought the following excerpt may motivate you as well. We all want to cherish a good memory or experience forever, but preoccupation with physical reminders can lead us to live in the past. One of the toughest and most necessary things in the world for growth and happiness is to release our hold on things, places, and people we've outgrown. Too many people never grow and gain expanding new experiences because they can't see the wisdom of releasing old ones. Junk crowds out new life. It's more fun being a present or future hero or heroine than a past one. For my parents and anyone else struggling with a junk problem, here are some ways to determine if it is indeed junk: It's broken or obsolete (and fixing it is unrealistic). You've outgrown it, physically or emotionally. You've always hated it. It's the wrong size, wrong color, or wrong style. Using it is more bother than it's worth. It wouldn't really affect you if you never saw it again. It generates bad feelings. You have to clean it, store it, and insure it (but you don't get much use or enjoyment out of it). It will shock, bore, or burden the coming generation. If you can check one or more of the above truthfully, then it's probably junk. Do yourself, your house, and posterity a favor--pitch it! It's robbing you of peace of mind and space. I hope this has been helpful!