‘Tis the season after all – to clean, to purge, to sort, to organise, to declutter, but the more difficult choice – to sell or to donate?
 
Both have their merits but they are vastly different.  The decision to have a garage sale or to sell items online, consignment, etc. may be very beneficial financially but then again, depending on your wares it may also be a 6 hour exercise in frustration. 
 
The value assigned to certain items is relative.  Its value may be influenced by your memories, how you used it, where it came from and how long you’ve had it.  For the random punter, its value is often less and the thrill of the deal becomes paramount.  The real entertainment comes when 2 or more are trying to possess it – let the games begin!
 
Behind the scenes of the selling decision, that is of the ultimate importance.  Take into account the time, know-how, photos to be taken for online selling, uploading, keeping up with the interest, meeting with the interested parties, bargaining, setting up, cleaning up – it goes on.  This though can also be part of the drive for some – being outside, the social component, the process itself. 
 
To donate – this sense of goodwill is very soul soothing.  Out of your excess someone else can have their daily needs met.  In parts of the world where abundance is everywhere why not give back?  There is the question of where, how and who to donate to – charities are also omnipresent.  Some are not bothered as they feel anyone in need is worthy.  Others have special charities that touch their hearts and that determine their decision.  It’s a personal choice, no right or wrong about it. 
 
Practically speaking as far as donation is concerned there is the issue of which items certain charities will accept.  Many are not able to accept furniture for example.  Others specialise in clothing only.  So you may want to have your giving piles separated for individual uses. 
 
Getting your gifts to the actual charity may also present a challenge.  Will you transport it yourself; will you get someone to help you?  Will the charity pick up?  Is it necessary to schedule a pick up?  Do you have to be home for the pick up?  These finer details may influence the choices you make.
 
In conclusion, here are some main factors to ponder if you are struggling with what choice to make:
 
Time involved – how much are you willing to spend in this endeavour?
Effort necessary – how much follow through will be required?
Physical energy needed – do you have it or will you need to rely on someone else’s?
Finances – is the money worth it to you?
 
These considerations are not a deterrent in your desire to donate or sell, they are merely a preceding thought process that will simplify and clarify which path you take. 

​Strength, grace, presence, leaves, blooms, timber, fire, magazines, books, and yes, the dreaded PAPER!  Paper is great when you need it but when it starts to collect and when all and sundry are contributing to the ever constant flow, it can become a burden instead of the helper it was originally intended.
 
So, what to do with the piles, files, lone fly-aways and the like?  
 
To help you, moving on, let’s set up a plan/system for the daily incoming.  A tray, tiered file holder or whatever works for you.  Place it where you naturally dump your stuff when you enter your home.  This may not be where others would place it or where it looks the best but for now the point is to start a habit of immediately dealing with the daily mail, papers etc.  Once this habit is a reflex then you can adjust accordingly. 
 
Some suggested categories – recycling (flyers, advertising), garbage, bills to pay (if you receive paper bills), reference/to file, action, various household members.  You do not have to use these, they are meant as examples.  Depending on your life you will know what best serves you.  Try not to get too detailed as this is meant to be a triage system only so that you stem the tide of overwhelm from the get go.
 
And, now on to the existing mountain that begs your attention.  For the first purge, have only one box where you will put the papers that need to be kept.  The rest must be shredded or recycled.  Broad categories are much more manageable at the beginning of a large project. 
 
Once this is complete then you can begin to separate the keep category into sub categories.  This is very subjective. 
 
Some may want to colour code, others prefer general tabs.  Credit cards may work for you instead of one file for each credit card.  This concept can be applied to any type of file category depending on what makes it easier for you.  In order to start as you mean to go on it’s imperative that you be real.  A sustainable system is the goal and that varies for each individual so there are no ‘wrong systems’. 
 
Now, consider for a moment how long your filing system or lack of it has been neglected.  Perhaps one year, perhaps 5 years – maybe you’ve never really had a filing system at all.  This is only relevant as far as how long you allow yourself to now sort it out.  Please do not self sabotage by putting unrealistic expectations on yourself.  It may take a half hour a day, or week or 2 hours a month.  Let’s choose to focus on the fact that you are DOING IT NOW.
 
 As the great Doctor (Martin Luther King Jr.) put it, ‘You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.’
 
Whatever journey or project you undertake you will only succeed one step at a time.  This quote is true wisdom as it can be à propos to so many aspects of our lives.