"Freecycle allows me to get rid of things without sending them to the landfill."
How I did it: I'm a pack rat. I can't throw things away if they have any usefulness left in them. Therefore my house is cluttered with stuff, which makes it a depressing place to be.
I've found that the only way I can de-clutter is to give things away to people who really want them. Taking stuff to Goodwill is a last-ditch desperation measure for me -- it is too impersonal and feels almost like throwing things away, because I don't know their destination and whether they found a way to make anyone's life better. I simply can't bring myself to de-clutter that way, and that means that the de-cluttering doesn't happen, if that's the only option.
Freecycle allows me to offer things I have to people that might want them. I can choose who gets them based on any criteria I want -- perceived need, first come first served, it's completely up to me. I've gotten rid of a lot of kids' stuff that way that I never would have hauled to the Goodwill. Our local moderator is very good about keeping the list on task.
I've also scored some great finds on Freecycle, although thankfully I give away much more than I get. Some nice vintage yarn for my knitting habit, for one thing, a couple of desks that I repainted and made into homework spots for my kids, and bikes with training wheels for them to learn on.
Lessons & tips:
- Follow the listserv instructions about what information to put in your subject line and what not to ask for
- Join to give, not to get
- Write messages of thanks and appreciation to those who take your stuff or who give you stuff.
- Freecycle isn't Santa Claus. It's about keeping useful things out of landfills. Feel good every time you accomplish that goal by giving or by getting.
8 people found this helpful
Jan 05, 11:45AM PST
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