The Someday-Maybe Clutter Trap
Brought to you by Joan Kosmachuk, Professional Organizer
and Personal Life Coach

It all starts innocently enough. An unusual looking bottle or jar that gets set aside because, someday-maybe I’ll make something out of it. Then it’s the jeans that don’t fit that get put back on the shelf because someday-maybe I’ll get into them again. And don’t forget the little plastic figurine that gets stuck away in a drawer because someday-maybe it will be worth something. Or how about that craft project that someday-maybe you’ll take up again?

The problem is that, in most cases, the some day never comes and the maybe never occurs and you find yourself with a pile of unused things that clutter your closets and cupboards, drawers and bins and at times, entire rooms. Someday-maybe clutter is stuff we keep because we might need it “someday- maybe.”

So, here are four tips for living that will keep you from the “someday-maybe clutter trap”:

1. Live in the present:

Much of our clutter evolves because we are living in the past or the future instead of the present. Organized people know that the present is all they have (the past is gone, the future is not guaranteed) so they focus on making the most of the time they are in now.

It is nice to keep some memories from the past but you need to know what present need/goal they are supporting. A marathon medallion draped over a picture of you crossing the finish line may be a motivator to keep running the race of life. A box of 500 prize ribbons for baton twirling is a little harder to justify. A collection of treasured toys you are saving for your grandchildren to enjoy may support your love of family, but that 8-track tape collection you are hoping will one day be worth millions is doing nothing but taking up valuable real estate. Ask yourself the tough questions with those things you are keeping from your past. Do they truly support your needs and goals in the present? If not, it’s time to let them go.

It is a good idea to plan and set goals for the future but I recommend you do it on paper. Keep a list of all those things that you would like to someday-maybe get around to doing. For example, writing the title of a book you might read someday-maybe and noting a place you can borrow or buy it when that day comes is better than purchasing a book that you may never get around to reading in the first place.

If you do set aside an object for a someday-maybe project (say the jar for a future craft, or a piece of furniture you think you’ll repair) set a specific date in your calendar for the execution of that project (even if it is six months or a year down the road). If by that date you are no longer interested in the project, pass the materials on to someone else who could use them.

Be careful about shopping for the future. Finding a great Christmas gift on sale in August may be an example of good future planning but purchasing a whole bin of fabric on sale with the thought that someday-maybe you’ll learn to sew is not. Put “Learn to sew” on your someday/maybe list. Buy the fabric when you are ready to start sewing.

2. Live honestly:

If you are one of those people whose weight fluctuates up and down throughout the year (say from a size 12 to a size 14 and back again) then it would be prudent for you to keep 2 sizes of clothing in your wardrobe. However, if you are thinking that someday/maybe you’ll be a size 6 again when you’ve been a size 16 for the past five years, it’s time to get honest with yourself and let the smaller sizes go to someone who could enjoy them now while they are still in style. This doesn’t mean you have to let go of the hope that someday-maybe you’ll be a size 6 again. It does mean that you need to get rid of the clothes until that day comes.

Which brings us to the importance of being honest with yourself about your stuff. There comes a time when you have to accept that some dreams just will never become a reality. Will you really finish that craft? Are you honestly going to take up the ukulele again? When exactly are you going to polish the silver tea service? Do you really wear all those shoes? Are you going to read those romance novels again? Will you really use that orange-glow nail polish?

Whenever you come across something you are not currently using, ask yourself if you will honestly reuse it some day. If the answer is no let it go. Let it be a part of someone else’s present reality.

3. Live Decisively:

When you assign the someday-maybe label to an item, it can often be just another way of putting off a decision as to what to do with it. You replace your child’s bedding to match the new décor but aren’t sure what to do with the old comforter. You stick it in the linen closet telling yourself, “Maybe we’ll use that when we go camping next summer.” Will you use it or won’t you? Decide now. If you already have a bin full of spare bedding then you probably won’t use the comforter and could easily get along without it. If you don’t have a specific use for it, pass it along to someone in need. Even worn bedding can be of use to an animal shelter and it is better to share than to hoard things on the off chance that some day-maybe you’ll find a use for it.

4. Live as a wise and faithful steward:

We all need to be good stewards of the time and materials that God has given us. Sometimes keeping anything that is still “useful” seems like good stewardship. But we need to be careful. Storing things away in closets and bins where they get forgotten for years on end is not good stewardship. It’s hoarding. If you can honestly use something in the near future, by all means, hang on to it. But if the someday-maybe is in the far distant future, good stewardship means sharing with someone who could use it now rather than waiting until the item if of no use to anyone.

Be careful of holding on to things you no longer need because someday-maybe something bad will happen and you’ll need to be prepared. We are to be wise in caring for the needs of our household, but not fearful as if God will be unable to provide for our future needs as well as He is providing for us in the present. Try to keep only those things for which you have a present need and trust that IF a future need presents itself that you will be given what you need at that time as well.

If you need help sorting through your someday-maybe clutter, consider getting the input of a professional organizer. To hire the services of Joan Kosmachuk, please email your request to info@simpleeffects.com or call 617-784-0707.

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