This week on The Company Porch we are talking about what to keep; a perfect "Taming the Chaos" topic. Julie gave her take on what books are shelf worthy in her column on Classical Education. Taneil has great tips about what craft supplies to keep in stock in her Crafting Corner, and I love Tia's idea of dedicated binders for samples of each child's drawings and stories through the years.
I have a list of questions etched on my brain that I try to apply when determining what to keep. I'll expound on each one next week, but for now, I'll keep it simple by just listing the questions. Some of them overlap. Ironically I couldn't bring myself to "declutter" my list as even where the questions overlap, each brings an element to the "keep or toss" dilemma.
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When did I last use it?
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When will I next use it?
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Does it make our family more effective or less; energize us or tire us?
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Does looking at it make me smile or make me weary?
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For whom am I keeping it?/ Is it serving their purpose for me to do so?
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Is it a duplicate?
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Is it replaceable?
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What is it costing to keep it?/Is it paying its rent?
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What is the worst case scenario if it disappeared permanently from my life?
Domestic Chaos Tamer and Homeschool Mom of Five, Dell writes about home, heart and hearth.
