My two cents - What to do with all that stuff?

Lisa Gingerich, Gazette advertising

Ahhh, January. The time of year when we look around at all the “stuff” we got or gave for Christmas and wonder to ourselves, “Where the heck am I going to put it all?” Your answer will depend on the kind of organizer you are. As I see it, there are three kinds of organizers: stackers, filers and throwers.

The “stacker” likes to keep everything and manage it with a stacking and piling method. The piles oftentimes include random, unrelated items to be addressed at a later date. I have a friend who is a classic stacker. Her home appears to be spotless. However, don’t dare open a cupboard or a drawer. You may never get it closed again! In every one there is a pile or stack of “organized” stuff. She knows where everything is, or so she says, and can call upon it when needed. It is a sort of organized chaos.

On a side note, I am convinced that a stacker invented the junk drawer.

The second type of organizer is the filer. This is the category I fit into. I want a place for everything so I can put everything in its place. I don’t like piles of random things because I live in a constant fear that lurking in every pile is an unpaid bill or a receipt that I might need and won’t be able to find.

The third type of organizer is the thrower. The thrower eventually gets tired of looking at the stuff and throws it all away. They figure that whatever is lurking in that pile will surface somehow later on. (Billers do send second and third invoices, often accompanied by a late fee.)

Now, back to the problem of all that stuff. The “stacker” will probably make room for it all, stacking and piling it on top of the old stuff, adding it to what was added last year. What’s one more game of Monopoly or fleece sweat suit?

The “filer,” me, will put the stuff away, or try, and find that there’s not enough room. Then she will systematically remove everything from each storage space and decide either how to organize it better or what can be gotten rid of. This will take considerable time and patience but when accomplished, will be quite an accomplishment.

The “thrower” will simply throw the old stuff away and put the new stuff in its place. Then she will stand back and marvel at her family’s shiny, new things and feel a great sense of pride.

Interestingly, if you are a combination “stacker/thrower”, you will stack until your cupboards are full, throw it all away and start over. This is how the “stacker” keeps from becoming a “hoarder”.

In case you’re confused, not to worry. January is National Organization Month and you can find sales on items from closet systems to storage containers. And the Internet is packed full of ideas on how to organize all that “stuff” you’re staring at.

Now, on to my next topic: New Year’s Resolutions. I resolve that next Christmas I will not buy so much “stuff”!