Who doesn’t love a terrific deal? Who doesn’t love a free deal even more? Nothing warms my heart more than giving away stuff I don’t need to people in need without expecting anything in return. I also enjoy it when people give me things that they do not need that I can use.
We All Have Too Much Stuff
Lets face it; the majority of Americans have way too much stuff. There are closets that barely shut, garages that are overflowing and attics that are bursting at the seams. For some strange reason, some people think that they will wear that dress they have not worn for twenty years or finally get around to learning how to sew with a sewing machine that belonged to their long gone great Aunt. Many people have too much because they hate to get rid of stuff that they think they need. The fundamental problem is that many people think they need far too much.
The Minimalist Strategy
Apart from a brief period when I was a teen and thought that collecting sweatshirts would be fun, I have always been a minimalist. For some reason, I hate clutter as it makes me uneasy. I don’t like my own clutter, and I don’t like other people’s clutter. I figure if you cannot use it, you need to find someone who can. I don’t collect anything and never grocery shop until I can see the light in the fridge clearly. My family and I had to spend about five months in a semi-nomadic state while my husband was searching for a job a while back. We lived with friends and in a few different places with only one suitcase each. While we were not deprived, the necessities of life in any way, we were without the majority of our belongings. I thought it might make me uncomfortable, but it was exceedingly freeing and taught my whole family a weighty lesson. It does not take stuff to make us happy, and we can all live with a little less. So, if you are one of those people who have way too much stuff what can you do about your overflowing closets and cluttered garage? How about giving it away?
Freecycling
Freecycling is a movement that began in response to two needs. The first need came from the person who didn’t need it, and the second need came from the person who could use it. It was, and is, the perfect marriage. Instead of stuff collecting dust in the attic, it goes to good homes where it will be used. Likewise, if you need something you can search for someone who may have it so that you do not have to invest. Freecycling groups exist in communities all over the country. You can join a local group or start one if one does not exist. Many people are also starting freecycle groups at their places of employment. Businesses are sponsoring cites where employees can connect with each other to give and get. Some businesses have even opened up a freecycle room where employees can bring things in that they no longer want and go “shopping” on their spare time to find things that they may need.
Stay Focused
Of course, the trick to freecycling is to make sure that you do not just begin to collect new stuff that you are not going to use. Make it a habit to pick up items from a freecycle group that you truly need. Or, a good rule of thumb that I use with my family is that we must give away two things to get one. This keeps clutter from building up.
Think about participating in or starting a local freecycle group to encourage people to want less, waste less and share more. It is a marvelous feeling!
About the Author – Susan Patterson is a homeschool mother and an environmental writer. When she is not busy giving things away, she is writing on a variety of environmental topics related to health and conservation. Recent research she has conducted has been on the use and importance of historical aerials when purchasing real estate.
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