No, seriously.
In the last years, I have realized that when I am unable to obtain a tidy situation in a specific section of belongings (for example: socks), it is because I have too much of that and it is once again time to play the game of "Do I still use it, yes or no?" If the answer is no, it has to go (and because it rhymes, it is really easy to remember).
To stick with my sock-example, I think everyone knows the feel of having an imploding drawer filled with the most different socks, out of which most are ugly and worn-out, but only some, the glorious and beloved, are actually worn; the first cathegory only serves as an emergency fix and some...some have just disappeared for unknown reasons.
We all know about dragons and their tendency to hoard, but we ain't no dragons.
How to deal with your dragon-treasure
Every now and then I force myself to sort through my things and ask myself "Does this item make me happy?" with everything I get my hands on, before putting it back in it's place.
It is important to be honest with yourself; there are a couple of items that are only being kept because of irrational values. Of course it is ok to have emotional attatchments to the most ridiculous things (we all do...) but sometimes there are items, that were once given to us in highschool, we never used them (and never will) and it doesn't even bring us joy, we only keep it, because we subconsciously feel like we cannot let go of it. The same goes for old favourite clothes that don't fit anymore or that we simply don't feel comfortable in.
I usually deal with it by storing them away for about half a year and see if I find myself wanting to use it, or most of the time: just radically sort it out.
As much as I dislike the whole effort of emptying out a drawer and then dealing with every single item inside of it, the deliberating feeling after half of it is gone, is fantastic.
Sure this is not a call to go and waste things and ressources, sometimes old things can be revived and made into new favourites (e.g. throwing all the faded socks into the washing machine with a couple of old shirts and a package of dye), recycled (socks do great for house/car/desk/etc-cleaning purposes when used as a cloth-glove!) or, if they are in good condition: sold, passed on or donated.
Please don't sell your socks though, that's weird.
The same time, in order to avoid re-cluttering, it is important to shop consciously.
I at least enjoy the feeling of a sock drawer, that doesn't attack me once opened, and is filled with favourites only rather than old and ugly pieces with some gems inbetween (it saves time and nerve not having to dig for gold).
Why is this all about socks?
I don't know.
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