Less Chaos, More Harmony

Do you have someone you know who has random piles of junk around their yard? Is the reason they won’t throw something away because one day they might need it? Does it seem like their to-list never goes down?

While it’s nice to have friends that think of you, it’s important for us to keep our yards somewhat organized. If you live in a suburban or urban neighborhood, you most likely have a legal obligation to keep your yard up. Not only could it be illegal, but your neighbors have a right to look out their windows and not see those junk piles. If your neighbors wanted to live next to a dump or junkyard, they would have moved there instead. Remember, we are visual creatures and seeing piles of things that need done tends to weigh us down mentally.

When you have to much chaos points, you tend to start getting backed up on your responsibilities. Unfortunately, it can go from infecting your ability to get work done outside and migrate indoor. I’ve watched some of those episodes on hoarders, yet they never seem to show the conditions of the front, back and side yards of the people.

There are some things you should look for around your property, so grab a notepad and pen so that you can jot down what you see on your walk about. I have created a short list of things that I’ve seen in other people’s yards to get you started on what to look for in yours.

• Metal Junk that you might recycle one day
• Downed trees that need removal
• Random pile or bricks or tiles
• Various styles of jars, some with missing lids
• Rolls of used chicken wire
• Unorganized Terra Cotta, Porcelin and Plastic Nursery Pots
• Piles of actual trash
• Random pieces of wood of varying style or size
• Random objects you might turn into planters
• Broken down cars that nature has taken over
• Old, dilapidated swing set or tree house
• Stacks of aging wood pallets
• Bits of various PVC or metal tubing
• Collection of southern tupperware made by Cool Whip, Parkay and other various companies

While many of these items can successfully turned into projects, if they haven’t been used within a year it’s likely they will just sit around and become an eye sore. You should consider that messy, unkempt yards tend to attract unwanted yard pests like rats, possums and venomous snakes. If those pests don’t bother you, there likely a purple haired neighbor peeking behind her curtains keeping track of how long you haven’t removed your eye sores, and she will report you.

You can find ways to get your yard space organized. Remember, take small steps so you don’t get discouraged.

• Purchase a DIY shed from Home Depot/Lowes or a Tarp & Metal Tubing Kit from Harbor Freight
• If the items are smaller, purchase a heavy-duty shelving unit and bins that will slide on and off the shelving without issue.
• Post free items to freecycle or Facebook Marketplace
• Contact your friends and see if they want to come pick through any of the items.
• Throw stuff away or put it to your curb
• Build an organization system with pressure treated wood for PVC or other materials
• Offer items to people at your church

Remember, the important thing is to reduce the visual chaos that has possibly migrated into your indoor environment. If you don’t want to let certain things go, then get them in a shed where they can be tucked away for later but do something now before you end up on an episode of Hoarders.