One in One Out
A simple way to avoid clutter in your life.
Saucony Kinvara 13s after 300 miles
A Simple Strategy
Imagine having a friend you’ve spent hours with doing something you love to do. Then imagine unceremoniously getting rid of that friend.
That’s what it can be like for runners to toss out a pair of old running shoes.
The pair in the picture and I have logged miles running along the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and many places in between.
It is time for a new pair, as evidenced by the wear on the old shoe in the picture below.
I used to keep the old ones when they were no longer good enough for the pounding of running. I’d have a pair for yard work, a pair for hiking with the grandkids, and several pairs just in case.
In case of what I don’t know.
They represented clutter in my house and one more thing to store or move around.
Out You Go
A few years ago, I began addressing the physical clutter in my life. One of the first areas I addressed was running shoes and clothes.
I have a firm one-in-one-out policy. If I buy a new pair of running shoes, one pair goes into the recycle.
As a non-running example, I had many old and oversized sweatshirts around the house to wear in the winter.
I got rid of all of them and bought a few nice long-sleeve shirts that could be worn for multiple occasions, from casual events to snow-blowing.
In the case of the shirts it was one in many out.
Reducing Clutter
Having less clutter can help reduce distractions and improve your focus.
Simplifying your surroundings creates a more calming atmosphere reducing anxiety and stress.
Removing unnecessary items can create more physical space in your home or workspace.
Reducing clutter helps you live a simpler, more intentional, and fulfilling life.
Start Small
As with many lifestyle transformations, it can seem daunting to make a significant change.
That’s why I started with something simple and small, like a one-in-one-out for my running shoes.
It was easy to implement, and I noticed immediate benefits.
🌀Reflection:
🌱 What is something small you could do today to reduce clutter in your life? Here are a few suggestions…
The next time you buy something new, get rid of something old that it replaces.
Look for things that are ‘just in case’ items where the need for them never arises.
Take a look through your closet for clothes you haven’t worn in a long time.
Great advice, David. We often fool ourselves into thinking a time is going to come back around again, even when evidence says it won't.
That's a good advice. I agree with you. We need to declutter in order to have a clear working space.That's what I always do. Discard the old ones or recycle them into something more useful.
We have to be wise in making things or someone goos out of our lives as well as in letting things or someone comes in