Say “No Thank You” to Clutter
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When a person hands you something for free with a big smile on their face, it may feel rude or even unfathomable to put your hand up and say, “no thank you.” I was raised in the South where politeness is prized, so I understand the reluctance to turn down a free gift from a well-meaning person or organization. But when those freebies are not useful to you now and won’t be useful within the next year, it’s an opportunity to hone your “no thank you” skills. Here are 5 situations where saying a polite “no thank you” can help you reduce clutter.
Conference or Job Swag
Companies love putting their logo on bags, pens, magnets, water bottles, tape measures, apparel, and all kinds of other things that people might use in their daily lives. If you use the item, you’re reminded of their brand, and if you like the item, you’ll have positive feelings towards that brand. If somebody else sees the company logo on you, it’s free advertising. I’m not saying it’s wrong for a company to give away swag to its employees or guests. The problem is you took that item knowing you didn’t need it, but you felt some sort of obligation to take it. An obligation to the smiling salesperson or an obligation to your employer. Meanwhile, at your house, the items collect dust and take up valuable space in your drawers, cupboards, and closets.
You are not obligated to take free items. Let me repeat that: You are NOT obligated to take free items. When you have a cabinet full of water bottles from conferences; when work gave you yet another t-shirt you’ll never wear; when you have a drawer full of conference name tag lanyards; and when you can’t possibly need another pen, say “no thank you” to the swag. If you find a real treasure, try a “one in, one out” policy where if you bring home a new water bottle or coffee mug, you have to donate one.
2. The Dentist’s Goodie Bag
The number one most common item of clutter I see in bathrooms is travel toothpaste and floss from the ubiquitous dentist’s goodie bag. If you have toothpaste and floss at home, then you don’t have to take the bag. If you really need the new toothbrush and it’s the kind you like and you will throw away your old one as soon as you get home and use the new one, then you can ask to just have the toothbrush. But do not take it because you feel obligated. The dentist’s office is a safe place to practice saying “no” to a free gift you do not need. They will not be upset at all. Try saying, “No thank you. I have plenty of travel size toothpaste and floss at home,” or “No thank you. I have products I prefer at home.”
3. Gifts with Purchase and Extra Packaging from Retailers
There is a makeup brand I like and their mascara and eyeliner are staples of mine. I use them up completely and then I order more. Every time I order, they send me a free makeup bag. I don’t like it; I prefer mesh bags so I can see what’s inside. I have no use for this bag, so I started putting in the comments of my order “Please do not send a free makeup bag. I do not need any more. Thank you.” and ever since then, I haven’t received another one. If you do business with a company that regularly sends you free gifts that aren’t useful to you, try asking them to please not send them. You don’t have to declutter if you stop the clutter before it starts.
Sometimes retailers will ship their item in a fabric bag or an lovely decorative box (I’m looking at you, Etsy sellers) that feels hard to throw away. Sometimes retailers will send you a reuseable shopping bag with your purchase. Sometimes it’s keychains, samples, postcards, fake flowers, and if you order contact lenses online, I guarantee they will ship you at least a handful of contact lens cases.
I add a note to every online order I place that says “I prefer not to receive extra packaging, decorative items, or free gifts. Thank you for helping me reduce my consumption.” For the contact lens cases, I just say “Please do not include contact lens cases. Thank you.” It helps tremendously.
4. Reuseable Shopping Bags
Speaking of reuseable shopping bags, the most common item I find cluttering people’s cars, garages, kitchens, laundry rooms, and lives are reuseable shopping bags. First of all, renew your effort to bring a bag with you everywhere you go. Bring a bag for groceries, clothing, home goods, toiletries, anywhere you’ll be carrying a purchase away.
If you have forgotten your bags, you do not have to buy a new reuseable bag. You also do not have to accept a new FREE reuseable bag the company is willing to give you. It might be better for you to accept a disposable bag that you will reuse for compost, as a bin liner, or to bring donations to a charity than to purchase another reuseable bag that will sit in a pile of bags that never get used. You have the power to say “no thank you” when offered a reuseable bag. You have the power to say “I’d like to use my own bag, please.” You have the power to say, “I will just carry this” or “I will just put this in my pocket/purse/backpack.” You even have the power to go back to your car and get a bag. If you do this one or two times, you’ll be much more likely to remember next time. If you need to visualize how this works, it’s easy - take your grocery cart or your purchases to customer service and say, “I need to run to my car and I’ll be right back to buy these. May I leave them here for a minute?” The retailer will say yes and you will have just shown your brain there are consequences for forgetting your bags, and you’ll be less likely to forget them again.
Bottom line - do not buy any more reuseable bags if you have enough for your needs, and use the ones you have - use them!!
5. Chopsticks, Disposable Utensils, and Condiments
This is another category of item that is in every kitchen I organize in very large quantities. The reason they are piling up and using up valuable drawer space is because they aren’t being used at the same rate they are being aquired. If you use disposable chopsticks and utensils regularly, start declining them until your stash starts to dwindle. Simply say “I don’t need utensils” on your delivery or pickup order. Once your supply dwindles, ask yourself if you would like to use that space for something else, and consider switching to reuseable chopsticks or utensils. The same principle applies to condiments: if you use to-go condiment packets regularly, start declining them and let your supply dwindle before you decide whether you want to dedicate that space to something else and instead buy larger condiment bottles. If you do not use your condiment packets regularly, they may be expired. Check for dates but if you don’t see any, a good rule is if it’s been a year, toss it. Vinegar-based condiments have a slightly longer shelf life, but flavors start to degrade after a year anyway. I included this in the list because I see it so often and I want people to know that it’s ok to decline them if you do not need them for your meal.
And there you have it! 5 situations to practice saying “no thank you” to clutter. I hope you’ve found this helpful!
Be calm. Be organized. Be you.
Kenna
