"One In, One Out" Rule

I was a pack rat who now lives a clutter-free life. When asked, “What is one thing you do to stay clutter free,” I answer: “One in, one out.” When I acquire an item, I get rid of an item.

Clutter control is analogous to breathing. We inhale, then we exhale. One breath in, one breath out. We don’t inhale on even days and exhale on odd days. Breaths come one after the other. If you hold your breath, the first thing you do next is exhale, that is let go of air before you inhale again, that is acquire more air.

When you bring in an item, as you would bring in air with an inhale, the next thing to do is let go of an item, that is, exhale it. Make that your rule when it comes to possessions. With breathing, we must exhale before we can inhale again. Exhale before you inhale then exhale then inhale, etc.

When to let go? Immediately after you acquire and before you acquire again. After we inhale, exhaling comes immediately, automatically, in a rhythm of life. Make the practice of one in, one out automatic, too by regular practice, repetition. Acquire, let go, acquire, let go, etc.

What would you get rid of? Of course you can get rid of the same type of item you acquired. For example, a sweater for a sweater. This works especially well with periodicals. When a new magazine comes, get rid of an old one. A new one arrives, an old one goes out.

What if you don’t want to purge the same type of item? Use the “same size” criteria. If you buy one sweater, getting rid of one paper clip is not enough. The item to let go of must be around the same size as the item you acquired. In the case of the new sweater, let go of three t-shirts, a sweatshirt, a pillow, five magazines or a two-quart pan and lid.

Refuse to live life by addition. Use this great maintenance strategy to keep from owning more stuff.

If you want to own less, when you acquire an item, get rid of two or three items.

Take a deep breath, exhale and let go.

© 1993 Helen D. Volk All rights reserved

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