Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter

Burning Upgrades

A few weeks ago, I read about the terrible health consequences our Veterans are facing because of their exposure to toxic burn pits. Of course, as with everything, I see it through the lens of what I do for a living. Why do we have these pits? Because the army brings so much stuff to bases overseas, and when it’s time to dispose of it, they shop it out to private companies who burn it, which releases toxic fumes. It’s a particularly glaring, egregious, deadly example of what I see every day on a much grander scale.

We have too much, we need to get rid of it, but getting rid of it isn’t so easy, and if you dare to look closely, you probably will feel bad about where it goes. A lot of stuff you donate to thrift stores will still end up in the landfill, or worse, get shipped overseas and sold to low-income people, which, I’m pretty sure, is not what you imagined.

We are in a vicious cycle of binging on stuff and then purging.

I have teenagers. Part of my job is to teach them to think long term. Less “But this crop-top is so cute!” and more, “But I already have a few similar ones, and if I buy it I’ll run out of money before the end of the week.” As grownups, we should be able to think things through, but sometimes, grownups are just as impulsive as teenagers. We don’t consider the afterlife of our old stuff when we upgrade. We don’t think about what will happen to the old desk chair when we buy a cute new one. Will anybody want it? I’m not telling you not to get rid of things, but I am suggesting that you be very careful and conscious about what you buy. Most of us have so much more than we need. I’m pretty sure your pantry is overfull, and the stuff at the back is expired. I won’t even talk about your closets! Don’t forget the environmental consequences of buying, too. Fresh Direct won’t take their bags back anymore, while between air and trucking, Amazon shipping is contributing immensely to carbon emissions.

Since we are still in the first quarter of year, I’d like to challenge you to do two things:

1. If you’re upgrading, try to re-house the old item before you bring the new item home. Post a desk on Craig’s List or a sweater on Poshmark. Give your old coffee maker to your niece who’s moving into her first apartment.
2. Resist buying until you really need something, rather than just want it. Just by waiting you will save money, and avoid having to rehouse the old item or send it to the landfill.

I know it would much more fun if I said the answer was to buy matching white boxes at the Container Store. Instagram is full of organizers who are more than happy to give you that advice. I’m here to tell you the shoe box you’ve been storing your sewing supplies in for 20 years is doing a great job, and will probably be good for another 20.

Let’s strive for something bigger than a photo-ready closet. Let’s try to be part of the solution by consuming less and creating less for the landfill.  You’ll have less clutter and more money, and that is a winning situation.