The 3 Container Rule

The latest TV reality show catching viewers’ interest is about Hoarders.

The “Hoarder” is: a person who accumulates things and hides them away for future use.

Compulsive hoarding:  is a mental disorder marked by an obsessive need to acquire (and failure to use or discard) a significant amount of possessions, even if the items are worthless, hazardous, or unsanitary. Compulsive hoarding causes significant clutter and impairment to basic living activities. (Wikipedia)

Every one of us has a tendency to hoard a few things:

• the outfit you got on sale last year but haven’t worn once – if you didn’t wear it last year, chances are very good that you won’t wear it this year
• love flowers?  You only need 6 vases and not a dozen – get rid of the extras – they take up a lot of valuable space
• books – we all accumulate so many.  Seniors homes love receiving books

This tendency to keep too many things becomes obvious when we are moving and have to start the packing process.

Packing things that get moved to the new house but never get opened is truly a waste of time, expense and energy.

At Stage To Sell we encourage our clients to use the 3 Container Rule:

• Container 1 – anything that is essential
• Container 2 – things you can give to family, friends or your favourite charity
• Container 3 – things to be discarded

As a general rule – Container 1 should be the smallest.

This is a win/win situation – less to pack, non-used items will now be used and appreciated, and you will have more space to enjoy in your new home.

Call us at Stage To Sell and let us help with the preparations to sell your home.