It’s about that time to start thinking about Spring Cleaning again (even though in the Northeast we’ve gone from winter straight to summer)! The idea of purging your supplies can be a scary one, especially when it’s something you spent money on. If you’re like me, you have a hard time just deleting something that you know you paid for. Another hurdle I often face when I am trying to purge my supplies is the “I’ll use it someday” excuse. You know: that kit is so cute, and I know I haven’t used it, but I’m sure it will come in handy someday, hence saving it from another round of deleting. In the spirit of Spring Cleaning, here are some ideas for getting over those hurdles and purging your supplies.
- You can’t get a refund. Sure, you may find yourself feeling guilty that you want to get rid of something that you purchased (especially if you never used it…oh the horror!). The thing is, keeping it isn’t going to make the money reappear. When I purge, I usually start deleting things that I haven’t used in a year or so (much like my closet). If I keep the supplies just because I bought them, and I’m not using them, there is really no reason to keep them. You have to let go of the guilt, and that will give you the freedom to let go of your supplies (even ones you never used).
- Stop kidding yourself. Realistically, if you haven’t used the product in over a year, you probably aren’t going to use it again. The last time I purged, prior to my most recent purging, I had left products that I hadn’t used in a year, but I was sure I was going to use soon. Guess what happened….when I went back and did my most recent purging, those products were still there, unused. The digital scrapbooking industry is one that is constantly putting out new goods. There will always be something you want to use more, something newer, something that better fits your style. I’ve learned that the hard way. Now, the steadfast rule is: if it hasn’t been used in a year, it gets deleted. The only things that this doesn’t apply to are templates or basics.
- Just because you have the room, doesn’t mean you need to use it. I’ve talked to so many people who say, “I don’t purge, I’ve got a 1TB EHD, so I have plenty of room. There isn’t a need for me to get rid of stuff.” I used to think like that too, but recently, I’ve been exploring this idea of living with less – if you don’t need it, get rid of it. Our lives get filled with clutter so easily, it becomes necessary to start surveying what’s around you and getting rid of what you don’t need. The same goes for digital scrapbooking supplies – if it’s not necessary, why keep it around? Freeing yourself of that clutter will help you feel more organized and pulled together.
How do you go about purging your supplies? What hurdles do you face, and how do you overcome them? Let us know in the comments below!
Donna P. says
I purge about every 6 months or so. The first thing to go is templates that have too many circles spots for pictures.