[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3898″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]You’re diving right in and deciding what items you are setting aside for your garage sale. Many people look like a scurrying squirrel before winter hibernation, just looking for the things that have to go in a garage sale. You are right to ask the question, “Does this item need to be in my life or in my house?”
Marie Kondo would hope you ask, “Does this item spark joy in me?” before you make any rash decisions. Nataly Kogan at Happier.com has some great thoughts on lessons she has learned related to joyful decluttering.
Sometimes there are clashes in the home when people are trying to decide how to cull the clutter and build inventory for a garage sale. Every person in your home has a potential attachment to most items. When one person thinks something is worthy of being in the garage sale, another person may have very opposite views with strong emotions attached. This can cause arguments and hurt feelings.
This garage sale is designed to bring lightness and freedom to your home while creating a fun atmosphere during the process and on garage sale day. Check out these 4 ways to avoid disagreements while working toward these common goals of cleaning up, clearing out, and making some dough in the process.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
It’s easy to let your feelings and thoughts on an item cloud the bigger picture. Conflict can creep in fast and without notice…and even before you get started. Remember every person is different, and that difference is what makes your home unique and truly like none other in the area. It is very likely that there other people in your home who have very different views on what items they want in the garage sale, and how the sale of those items will affect their space.
Losing an item (willfully, by accident, or through force) at its core causes a person to experience loss (even if it is only a small loss). Loss produces emotional pain. People don’t like feeling pain. We seek joy and a life that is pain-free. So talking through what is important to each person, and what their goals are, will help everybody be able to compromise and have a hand in the process of getting things cleared out and in cash in the bank.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3899″ img_size=”full”][vc_single_image image=”3900″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3901″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
Now here comes the fun part, and you have probably already started with “The Purge!”
Before you get all crazy pulling kids toys that have not been played with since last week or that shirt your partner hasn’t worn in 3 days let each person in the house focus on their stuff while you work on your stuff. It is always helpful to take a good look in the mirror when you are dealing with your own difficult decisions to keep or get rid of things.
Paying attention to your own stack of books and magazines first will be a sort of warm-up the rest of the family. As you get going, they will probably feel the change in your attitude and want to start joining in. And, you can always ask for their help or opinions with your things as you work through what to keep and what will go. Inviting others to give you advice or asking their opinions on how a pair of pants look on you will help them get involved before they even lift a finger to go through their own things.
When everybody is working on their own assessment of garage sale worthy items, everybody will be working toward the common goal. This will be magic in your home as the anticipation ramps up for the big day.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
As you all are moving in the same direction, you might notice a person avoiding certain items that you honestly believe need to go. Resist the urge to judge why someone may be attached to an item. It’s easy for an outsider to make a judgment on the worthiness of an item. But when someone is emotionally attached to an item or a group of items it can be difficult.
You will get more bees with honey. Being helpful and supportive will pave roads well beyond the end of the garage sale. Even if you can’t grasp why anybody would want to keep that magazine from 2011 or that shirt from the St. Patrick’s Day event at the office, you can always be supportive and empathetic. Avoid any strong language or accusatory words, and keep in mind how you talk about items that are close to someone’s heart.
It’s not helpful to say, “you have too many books you don’t ever open.” A better way to approach it would be to say, “With the bookshelves full of books we rarely look at, there is very little room for us to put up pics of our close family and friends, or artwork that will brighten up the room.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3904″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3905″ img_size=”full”][vc_single_image image=”3906″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
Success in this garage sale will be seen in how much you gather, correctly price, and pace yourself. If you pace yourself while you gather things, you can keep it fun and light. You may feel the energy at the beginning of the day to go through your whole closet in one day, but your family may want to spend time with you.
Give yourself plenty of time to get through all that you want to get through as you declutter and purge. Keep your efforts to just a couple of hours at a time. This will keep burnout from happening. Your energy level may not be the same as those around you. You may be super excited about clearing out your kitchen cabinets and drawers in a whole day. But your family may not be all in on that as they want to use the kitchen during the day you are working. Picking one cabinet per day over a week will take an hours-long project down to a 30-minute cleanup a few times in a week. Your family may not even know you have gone through that cupboard, but they will see the result in the extra space and lighter feel.
Another tip is to make it fun by putting on your favorite music or podcast as you go through things. Keep snacks and fun drinks on hand for everybody to grab while they work on their areas, or the common areas you all are in together. Everybody can have some M&M’s or cheesy popcorn and fun drinks as they work for just a couple of hours. Your family will be all in if the snack cart comes out, and the work is short.
If you sense people (or yourself) getting crabby just remember the stuff is just that…stuff! You can always stop mid-project and come back to it another time. People matter more than stuff, and your happy relationships with the family will be the thing you want to remember at the end of the day. Don’t overlook how much you love each other when a disagreement starts over the box of Barbies. Listening to your family will make more memories at the end of the day than any amount of decluttering.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]The best way to avoid conflict is to ask questions and listen. When you take a listening position in any relationship you become so much closer at the end of the conversation. Start a conversation with your family about goals, get moving on your stuff first, let your family be their unique selves without criticism, and take small bites of time to do this big task of decluttering.
We love to listen and have conversations about all sorts of things; so, if you have questions about the garage sale or any real estate matters, just reach out to us by phone, email, or send us a text with those questions. We are always here to listen and assist with guiding you on your real estate journey. We would enjoy helping you write the next chapter of your story.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3674″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]