When you think of a pack rat the first thing that comes to mind is a person who never lets go of anything, but did you know a pack rat is the name for a little rodent. The Pack Rat is a little smaller than the average rat and has a long, sometimes bushy tail. Pack rats are known for their characteristic searching of materials to bring back to their nests creating an ever expanding collection of materials known as a "midden" for its messiness.
There are certainly two ways you can celebrate this day. You can be proud to be a pack rat and pack away even more things that you can’t live without or you can use this day to change your pack rat ways. You can clear out all those little or large areas you’ve turned into a "midden." As so many of us, I too hold on to things for many reasons. When I clean out an area I get everything organized, but only discard a small number of items. If I don’t get rid of the items immediately, I will go back through and take things out; just knowing it was a mistake to toss it. If you are anything like me, you can rest assured knowing there is help for us.
Here is a few helpful tips to rid your life of all those “middens.”
Determine what clutter is. As a rule, if you don't use it or enjoy it, then it's nothing more than clutter. If you don't know what it is, it's clutter. Toss it or give it to someone who will use it and appreciate it.
Use your children as inspiration to de-clutter. Think about the added time and stress your clutter has caused you. Don’t let your children pick up on your pack rat ways. Instead show them how to de-clutter and give away items they no longer have use for.
Make de-cluttering fun and rewarding for your family. Create three piles or set out three boxes. One box for things to toss, one box for things to give away, and one box of items to sell (make a rule these items must be sold within a week or the items will be given away.) Turn on some tunes and encourage your family to toss, toss, toss. The 1st person to de-clutter their designated area gets a reward or prize.
Set aside a box for things you feel you may use someday. After three months discard or give away anything that remains in the box. Careful pack rats, don’t put anything new into your box until the three months is up because you will fall into the “I know I should probably get rid of this, but it has only been in the box for one month,” trap.
Take a photo of the meaningful possessions you don't want to forget, but don't have the space for. This can be very helpful for children because you can encourage them to give their unused items to other children that may not have anything, yet keep the memory, rather than allowing the memory to take up space. Praise your children for their efforts and let them know how proud you are of them. Place photos of the items in a scrapbook and share it with them (long after the mournful period is over.)
Have a Happy (packing or cleaning) Pack Rat day!
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