Do you have an exit strategy for items leaving your home? Or you might be asking “what is an exit strategy?” An exit strategy is the way your belongings leave your home.
As an organiser I often come across items that are not wanted but have not left a home. They may not be “clutter” because it looks tidy. But Tidy is not Organised. The items may be no longer needed, liked or grown out of. Or it may be an unwanted gift, an inherited item or an unwanted purchase. It may even be a bag of items to be donated, but it hasn’t left the house yet.
2 reasons why an exit strategy is important.
Stop clutter
What comes in eventually goes out.
An exit strategy will stop unwanted items becoming clutter.
Give you space
There will be space in cupboards, rooms and shelves when items you don’t want leave the home. Having an exit strategy frees up space so you can see and use the items you do want to keep.
How an exit strategy works
Designate a space as an Exit Zone to put the items that are going to leave the house. Having items in one spot makes it easier to grab and go, which saves you time.
This spot may be by the door. Just make sure it’s not going to be in the way of family traffic flow. You can use a tub, basket, hook, shelf or bookcase to hold your exit items.
If something comes into the home that isn’t wanted, it can immediately be put in the Exit Zone. When you come across items you no longer want or need, immediately place it into the Exit Zone. Do it straight away to avoid remembering to do it later.
When items leave the home, maybe for donation, family or friends or recycling they can be packed and placed in the car to be delivered. Or they stay in your Exit Zone and you arrange a time in your diary to deliver them.
An exit strategy is one way to stay on top of clutter. It allows you to easily find items that are leaving the home and gives you space for belongings you need and use.
