How Can I Figure Out What I Actually Use?

My current task is to weed out the stuff I don’t use by seeing what I do use. I’ve come up with a few methods but they all take a lot of time and patience.

The first method is one I used last year for my makeup, it involved typing up a complete inventory first. Once that was done I made a duplicate copy. Each day I used whatever makeup I felt like using and then removed it from my list. The next day I’d repeat (maybe the same items, maybe different items) and then I’d remove any additional items that I used from the list. After 3 months I took a look at what was left on the list and got rid of those items. The idea here was to see what I really used without feeling pressure to use anything in particular.

The next method is one I’m using right now. I’m also using it to sort out my makeup (in the past year I’ve accumulated more). I put everything (brushes, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadow, etc – I mean everything) in a box under my bed. The first day I take out just what I need for that day and put it back in my regular makeup drawer. The next day I try to use what is in the regular drawer but if none of that is suitable I can take out whatever else I want for that day from the box under the bed and once I use it I put it away in the regular makeup drawer. This can go on for a month or two or six (however long you feel is appropriate). Then whatever is left in the box is what you don’t really love. The idea is “out of sight = out of mind” as it’s a hassle to get stuff out of the box, but it’s not as scary as getting rid of what you think you don’t love permanently.

The final method is one I’m using for my clothes. I have limited closet space and keep everything folded in piles in my closet. The piles are sorted in groups such as jeans, non-jeans, skirts, tshirts, polo shirts, etc. I put at piece of paper on top of each pile. Each time I put my clean laundry (the clothes I’ve actually worn) away I’ll put them on top of the paper, so everything below the paper will be what hasn’t been worn. I’ve marked my calendar to check back in 6 months and see what’s left below the paper. I’ve done this to some extent before by just seeing if I still like what’s on the bottom of the pile but this will hopefully be a bit more telling because I won’t be reorganizing the piles in between.

Once I know that I haven’t used it in however many months seems appropriate then it’s much easier to part with something. And the worst that can happen is I’ll have to repurchase something (but maybe I’ll end up with something even better in the process of doing that).

Be Sociable, Share!