You don’t have to be a sports fan to learn a new move or two from the NCAA basketball tournament. This single-elimination collegiate competition held every spring is informally known as March Madness. Various rounds of the tournament have distinctive names: Sweet 16, Elite 8 and Final 4.
Accept this March Madness Challenge: mimic the tournament’s elimination process to decide what deserves a place in your life. Think, as you cull your collection, “What’s worthy of living on my trophy shelf?” Over the course of the next three weeks, cut any bench warmers – objects that hog space, collect dust and detract from the rest of the team.
Just as athletes work toward goals and milestones like personal bests, make your decluttering goals concrete. For example, trim 16 items of clothing so that your clothes don’t spill over into a second closet. Or, contain your collection of figurines to 8 that fit neatly in a cabinet. And maybe, find the 4 essential cookbooks for your kitchen shelf.
The hardest lesson March Madness teaches is “one and done.” The Final 4 teams play two games over three days to determine the one national champion. Culling collections down to a single winner is unrealistic, but selecting winners based on proven criteria is a good play. Choose from a laundry list of categories: books, clothes, vases, kids’ artwork, pantry items, electronics, just to name a few, and let these Elite 8 questions be the driving force behind refining your best team.
1. Do you use it?
2. Do you love it?
A yes to either, “Do you use it?” or “Do you love it?” garners objects a guaranteed spot on the team!
3. Has it expired?
Yes to this and it’s a definite cut from the team: food, medicine, fashion or electronics.
4. Does it fit?
5. Is it flattering?
The questions, “Does it fit?” and “Is it flattering?” though suited to clothing, are not exclusive to wardrobes. These questions ask if things fit your lifestyle. Sometimes entire collections represent an old hobby that is irrelevant to our current interests. Consider how much of what you own is an honest reflection of you and the life you want to live. If something doesn’t fit for any reason… let it go.
6. Could you easily replace it?
7. Is it still valuable to you?
8. Is it easy to maintain?
Surplus supplies can rob us of space, energy and disposable income.
Don’t stockpile if you are maxing out on space.
Sentimental items are not easily replaced and are harder to part with. When paring down nostalgic items ask yourself which piece best represents that time in your life, or best reflects that personal accomplishment.
Don’t forget to simplify. Fewer working parts, lower maintenance costs, and a smaller footprint can be a savings on several levels.
Take your time. Give yourself an entire month to accomplish your goal. Each week, make your ‘team cuts.’ Try out the feeling of having less on your shelf, less in your collection and less on your mind.
In the end YOU will be the winner. The March Madness basketball tournament ends on Monday April 2. Plan ahead for your personal victory and set a date for the end of your March Madness Challenge. Don’t throw in the towel if the tournament ends while you’re still deciding what to keep. Decisions take time, but if you don’t declutter on a regular basis, your organizing muscles won’t be at peak performance. Practice will perfect your skills.
About the Author
