In this episode of the Fix It or Free It series, we recap July’s project: repairing and cleaning a travel backpack. We explore how simple cleaning can sometimes be the fix we need, why not every item is worth saving, and how to set boundaries around bags and backpacks that pile up. This is a reminder that caring for your belongings extends their life, but also that letting go is part of the process.
In This Episode We Talk About:
- Why cleaning can be just as powerful as repairing when it comes to extending the life of belongings.
- How to set boundaries around bags, backpacks, and totes so they don’t pile up.
- When it’s time to fix, clean, donate, or finally let go.
Mentioned in This Episode
- The Fix It or Free It challenge series.
- Tips for repairing and cleaning bags, backpacks, and fabric items.
- Guidelines for donating vs. discarding items responsibly.
Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast
Review Transcript:
Hey everyone. Welcome back to another episode here at Organize and Cherish. This is part of our Fix It or Free IT series today. That's what we're gonna talk about and focus on for today's episode, where once a month I share what I have repaired, maybe clean, just fixed. Or finally let go of. It's basically that pile that we all say we will fix one day, or we're keeping an item with the very good intention that we want to fix it, save it from the landfills, but then that becomes its own pile of clutter.
We never end up fixing it. We never end up using the item. And then. Now you have clutter in something that needs to be repaired, and then you bought it new anyway, and now you have duplicates and you're back to square one. So this year I did a challenge where every month I would pick something for my own pile, like I'm going through this journey, not just for all of you, but for myself as well, where I either finally fix it and or let it go and just free it and be okay with that from the pile that I said I would fix.
The challenge is super simple. Stop letting things pile up in the some day corner and instead make intentional decisions. Either fix it or free it, right? So that's what we're talking about today. I am focusing on what I did for July. If you like to hear any of the other items that I fixed and or let go of, we have an entire series every month.
I do one of these episodes about the previous months or like month or two. And then I do a recap on that blog post as well, and in our email newsletter so you can hear and or read all about it there as well. So here we go.
Welcome to the Organized and Cherish podcast. With the organized flamingo. I am your host Stephanie, your compassionate and efficient professional organizer. Whether you are part of the sandwich generation helping a loved one declutter, or just trying to simplify life, this is the place for you. Together we will tackle those overwhelming piles of stuff, uncover purpose in what we keep, and let go with dignity and care, because it's not just about throwing everything away.
It's about. Affecting memories and simplifying life. Sound like a plan? Let's jump in and get organized. So for this month's project, it was my travel backpack. So we're talking about July's fix it. I know you're listening to this probably later in the year, probably around end of August, maybe September.
But I'm doing it in retrospect because I am sharing with you what it all took to decide. What I finally wanted to fix and or let go. So I picked something from that pile and then I walk you through the process of my thinking behind it, what I was going through, the emotions, maybe the cost, if that was part of the equation.
And then the ultimate, what ended up happening at the end, like the end story of it and where I am with it now. So that's why it takes me a few weeks after the month ends. Uh, and then I also have the entire month to decide on something. Back earlier this, this year, there was something that I picked, like the day before the month ended.
So as long as I pick it and do something about it during that month, um, then I consider it as part, like I did it that month. Now, for instance, when I took something to get it fixed, uh, the skirt, the dress that I turned into a skirt that took a few weeks and I did not get it back into the following month, but I took charge, made a decision, put in the order.
During that month that I got it fixed, and then I ultimately got it back like a couple weeks after that. And then I do a report once I get it back. Okay, so today we're talking about July and it was my travel backpack and it was perfect timing because we were preparing to go to, on a trip to Canada, to the Banff area, all the national parks up there.
It's a trip we had been really looking forward to, so I was so excited. And of course you need a hiking backpack. We're big RV hikers, outdoors people. And so we, I have travel slash hiking backpack that I like to use, and I use it so much that it gets worn. And this one in particular had a hole in one of the pockets, so I wanted to make sure to fix it.
So that's what I ended up picking. I had delayed it and delayed and delayed it. Basically, I, I either would put like a little mini towel in there. I ba I just, I used all kinds of tactics to avoid finally fixing it. So when I was looking at, um, July's item, I said, Nope, this is it. This is the moment, this is the time to fix it and or let it go.
Okay? So it had it small hole, nothing major, but definitely one of those annoyances that if left alone it started to get worse. So I decided to patch it up. I did well first I was shopping around to see if there was another backpack that I liked. Honestly, they all either looked very similar. I got this backpack as a clothing swap, which we kindly and jokingly call them bitch and swaps.
That's because originally the clothing swap used to be where we all would bring all of us, like between 12 and 15 people and you can learn more. I have like an entire blog post about this, by the way, so I won't tell you the entire thing, but it's basically a clothing swap where about 1215 of us come in with items that we want to swap.
And you either. You know, collect from someone else. Um, you try them on, and then if more than two people liked the same thing, then you would both, or all the people would try it on, and then the group would vote on who it would be best suited for. And that's where the B-I-T-C-H part would come in. Because, you know, you would make your case for, I want it, I need it.
I, you know, I, I feel like it has to be mine. And then you plead your case. You try it on and everybody votes for it. It's lovingly called the B-I-T-C-H swap for that reason. With that being said, clothing swaps are in different formats. Maybe you have seen some that are nonprofit, some of 'em that have been in part of your community.
You could know the people really well, maybe you don't know them at all, and therefore, women, men, children, clothing, all types of people and sizes and um, styles and whatnot. So they've been around for a long time. That's the version that we have done in our community, and it's been really fun. So anyway, this is, that's where I got this backpack and I've been using it since I, I think I was like five year man, no more than that, like 10 years ago at this point.
So back in 2015. And I have loved it. I love it very much, but you know, now it has some wear and tear. And to be honest, the fact that it took this long for it to get a hole, I think I got the whole, uh, the end of last season. I am really, I endorse this brand and I love it, and I, I'm, I'm shocked that it, it lasted this long.
The hole was there, it was starting to get worse, so I finally made a decision to patch it up. What I did is I. What I sewed it, but I'm not a, like, I'm not professional by any means, seamstress or tailor, and I don't really know the proper ways to do it. My mom taught me a great job just to do like the very, very basics, but I know the different fabrics and different uses for some of these bags need a different stitch.
I really don't know much of the differences, so I just did what I knew and that seemed to have worked, so I just sewed it very quick, quickly, and then I gave the entire backpack a wash. And here's the kicker. It took me less than 10 minutes total to do that whole thing. And I had, you know, it's been a year since I've had that whole, since every time we had been on a hike or something, I, I would have to, like I said, like stuff it with something so that nothing would fall in the cracks of the hole.
So I could have just gotten this over with so long ago. But anyway, that's besides the point, right? We, I finally got it done and that's the point. But those 10 minutes gave me some really big lessons that I want to share with you. A couple of tips on what I would do either next time and reminders that I have seen from other people, clients in particular that have gone through or have done something similar.
Okay, so let's talk about those. So the three big lessons that I learned was because I had organized my backpacks already, I actually knew where this one was, and if it had been buried in a closet, I probably would've forgotten about it altogether. So my first lesson was organize stuff. The items that you think you don't, you're not sure what to do with.
They also should, could be organized because when you are ready to take action on them, it will be much easier to get to them. So no time was wasted there and knew exactly where my sewing supplies were. No frustration, no excuses. It was easy to just sit down and fix it. Which gave me the reminder that as far as tools go, so anything like a toolbox, even those tools that you don't use as much.
Having them be in an easily accessible place is also super helpful. And when you feel inspired to fix something, it'll be easy to get to, more convenient and more of an inspiration because you don't have to go digging for those items. And then that becomes. Cumbersome and it feels overwhelming, and then you don't do anything about it because you know you're already tired by then.
So that was really good reminder for me to have my tools easily accessible for when I'm feeling inspired and because of this fix it or free challenge. I had carved out intentional time to make the repair. Without that though, I probably would not have fixed it, or I had, I would've bought another backpack and or just been annoyed with the whole.
The actual hole in the backpack the entire time. I was very intentional and I will be honest, be this whole fix it or free challenge has been a very eye-opening reminder and very helpful for me on a personal basis. And even though I help people and remind them and walk them through all of their organizing, decluttering projects, when it comes to myself, sometimes I am just not that motivated.
So, because I've been doing this. I've been very intentional and I've actually taken the time to do it, and it's just been a great reminder. So if you have a hard time. Getting inspired or the energy and motivation to fix that, fix it pile. Get yourself some kind of motivation. Maybe even a, a buddy, a friend.
You do it together, you do a challenge together. Um, or you sign up for something that will help you stay motivated and continue with the motivation. You are always welcome to do it with us. There is nothing to sign up for. We just do it. We share each other's pictures or progress via email or social media, and I'm here to cheer you on.
So whenever you'd like to join it, feel free to do that. I will be your number one cheerleader when it comes to this, so that was really helpful for me. So I felt accomplished when it was done. Making the best out of what I already had was one way that I felt so satisfied. I felt way better than any, any quick dopamine hit would've given me.
Like scrolling online or something, right? Like I feel. Like I could conquer the world, which is so funny because it was 10 minutes, it was a quick sewing situation. And, um, I didn't buy a whole new backpack that would've cost however much money. Um, I saved money, but I also loved this backpack, so why get another one?
So I just felt all kinds of accomplished. It was great. I loved it. Um, so excited for this one and I'm glad that I did it. There's no regrets at all. Hi, cherish friends. Life can get overwhelming, especially when you're juggling caregiving, clutter and everything in between. That's why I created the Organizing Cherish Weekly email that goes out every Wednesday straight to your inbox.
To help you keep the momentum inspiration going with tips and reminders of our upcoming events, all you have to do is head on over to organize and cherish.com and sign up for the email newsletter. It's free and you can up subscribe whenever you'd like. It's my way of helping you simplify your life and respecting memories along the way.
Now back to our show. Okay, so now let me share with you something else that I noticed. It wasn't the biggest takeaway, but it is a reminder that cleaning is a fix as well. So the, the bigger point too is that not everything we think is broken. Actually is Now, if it's broken and we're doing some mindset exercises, either you're, you're working with a mental health practitioner, you're really ready and or have to let go.
We are going to continue on that trajectory. Okay? We, if, if something's broken, you don't need it. It's not going to be of use. You really, you know, we have an entire episode on should you do it yourself, should you fix it or should you let it go? Go through that exercise. If right now you're in the decluttering phase of your life, like you really should and need to, but if you are still kind of on the fence and you have the space for it and mental capacity, I wanna remind you that cleaning is a way to fix something and you don't always have to spend all this money to go get it fixed or the way that you think you do sometimes it just needs cleaning.
Some studies have shown that extending the life of an item by just nine months reduces its carbon footprint. Um, that was a big sustainability research paper in the uk. Um, but quite frankly, just, uh, applicable anywhere you live, if you don't throw it away and you're actually using it, you're not buying something new.
Right. Consumer reports have also found that many people replace items prematurely, especially things like bags, shoes, or small appliances because they look worn and not because they're truly beyond use. I have experienced this firsthand with clients. They will want to get rid of something because it's just looks not in great condition.
Instead of taking the time to maybe clean it and it might be good as new, avoiding having them go and buy something new. Now, this does not mean that you are trying to save something that is now, it's just time to let it go. It's trash. Okay? We are not talking about that. If you are dealing with compulsion, uh, avoidance, unwilling.
To let go and it's becoming a health hazard. We want to talk about that separately. If you think your loved one and or you. Fall under the category. Send us a message, talk to me. We can walk through you through how to appropriately talk to somebody about this so that you're not dealing it with yourself, because that can be very compulsive and it will just lead you to so many more mental health problems and that anxiety that you don't deserve.
Okay? So I want you to do this in a healthy as possible way. I'm talking more about the items that we think, oh, you know what? This thing is so filthy. Um, let me just throw it away and then go buy a new one. Maybe we can just clean it. Okay, so that's the stuff that I'm talking about. So here's the mindset trick beyond, uh, before you toss it and, and clean it.
If you clean it and you still love it, great. You've extended its life. And if you clean it and you still don't want it, great, then you can now let it go without guilt. You've seen it at its best as it can possibly be light. Like this is the best it's going to get. Okay, this is the best it's going to look.
Now you know that you've tried and it's time to let it go. And just a a reminder, you don't have to deep clean everything before donating. So that doesn't need to be done. Um, donation centers expect to do some of that. So please don't donate things that really belong in the trash either. Um, like a bag with a broken zipper or something that can't be replaced.
Like they, they're going to end up losing money. Um, so that does not belong there. So don't worry about the donation part of what you're giving away. You don't have to clean it. Um, but definitely don't give them things that are, you know, beyond repair or will be more expensive to repair. So that's, that's been a really helpful, kind of like a quick decision tree type of exercise.
Like if you clean it and you still love it, yay, it's clean. Um, take it to the cleaners. Ask a friend if they're willing to maybe barter, like they'll clean it for you and then you will do something else that you enjoy doing. That's another great way. Or pay someone to do it however you'd like. You do it yourself, and if you do clean it and you still don't want it, then you know, again, you can just let go with, let it go without guilt, sell it.
And know that you've tried. Now let's talk honestly about the lifespan of bags and backpacks. We're just gonna go ahead and close the loop, no pun intended, about the whole backpack and the hole and what I decided to fix for July. Okay? And we're gonna talk about, uh, bags and backpacks since that is what I decided to fix for that month.
Okay? So let's talk about how that most backpacks can last about seven to 10 years with proper care. And I have seen it myself as well, but also the, uh, statistica data from 2023. There is a reading and study about the average American that buys a new backpack about every two to three years, and then they did.
Part of that study was how long some of these backpacks last and it. Came to the conclusion that about seven, 10 years with proper care also, if you go to your favorite brand, um, they do also have research on how long they should be lasting. And sometimes you just have to use your own research, like asking some community groups on Nextdoor, on Facebook, on Reddit, or whatever.
You subscribe to asking people what they recommend, how long they've had it, and then you can also see kind of, you know, how long those can last. Let's talk about the weak points that are usually it, right? Like zippers, elastics, fabric, zippers. Once the teeth no longer align, there is no patch that will save it.
I have taken so many things to get fixed for clients, and then most of the time it's a zipper and they ask if they can realign it or bend it a little so it'll zip more smoothly. Nope. Okay. That's the number one thing that always goes, no matter who. I have never in my, you know, 20 to some years of doing this, uh, have seen, uh, seamstress or Taylor, anybody work on a fabric, clothing type of item that has been able to.
To fix a zipper that no longer aligns well, like there just, it just doesn't make sense. So zippers one, that's one of the things that will start to go. And if your backpack or tote is starting to go, um, like their zipper is starting to go, it might just be time to replace it altogether or let it go.
Elastics is something that starts to fade and go over the years. They stretch out and they don't bounce back. It will, the fibers will start to come apart and they just lose their, their elasticity. Fabric. If it sits in storage for too long without care, it can weaken, it can fray, and it, it can, of course hold mold.
This is a department that I'm very familiar with. We actually, every year we do a Halloween episode. If you have been here for a year or two. We always do, like the creepy crawlers or the horror stories from organizing, uh, stories that I've been through and I've shared about how, um, some things just get mold, um, like fabrics.
I mean, especially if it's, uh, been sitting in water or stagnant air or something like that. Yes, repair and clean when possible, but sometimes you just have to realize and recognize when it's time to say goodbye. And letting go is part of that cycle. So I don't want you to lose sight of that, that some things are just not Sal salvageable.
I hope they are. I hope that these exercises can help you figure out what is and what isn't. And my hope at the end of me sharing all of this with you and this experience with you at the end of the year, hopefully I will continue this going forward. But one of my biggest goals is yes, to motivate you to to make decisions, but that you can start recognizing for yourself.
What is worth fixing, salvaging, and what is not from the stuff that you have. Okay, not other stuff. Not to become a pro at seeing what's worth it and what's not, but your own stuff. Because sometimes even professionals will do their best. I can come into your space and make the best recommendation based out of what I know.
But you know your stuff, your story, the history, what it means to you, and if it's worth it. And I'm hoping that this will give you some confidence to make those decisions for yourself and to make them more efficiently, like faster. And you're not waiting years to make some of these decisions too. Either make it worth it and fix it or let it go.
Let's talk about when organizing comes in, because bags and backpacks can multiply very quickly and we just save them for the just in case. But then before long, the pile is overwhelming, right? So here's a simple framework that I want to share with you before we end today's episode. Um, one is to set boundaries.
Talk about it all the time. It's one of our top tips, right? How many do you really use? How many do you truly need? Like have a space that holds those backpacks, tote bags. Don't go overflow after that because if you are, chances are you're not using them. And if you are going to keep them, make sure that they're well stored, that they're not accumulating all the things that I talked about earlier, like mold, they're fraying, and when you do need them or want to use them, they become unusable or they're so, such in bad shape that it'll be more expensive to fix.
Schedule a bag day. Pick a date to pull 'em all out. Test the sippers, check the straps, and then decide, do you put it in your fix bin, in your clean it bin? Donate bin or toss bin. Store with intention. Once you've kept, only what's worth keeping. So this is after you've set the boundaries, after you have decided what to keep, organize them where you'll, you will actually see them and use them as a reminder, right to check in on them often and not have them collect dust.
So that's kind of where the payoff is. Once you've done this, you'll never scramble for the right bag. That's the goal. You'll know exactly where, where they are, what you have, where it is, when that, it's ready to go when you need it. And that's one of the biggest benefits of organizing. It gives you that confidence and clarity for everyday life and usage.
Alright, so before we go, let's just do a quick recap and remember that making the best out of what you already have can be more rewarding than chasing something new. So this month's fix was small. It was a 10 minute sewing project and a good cleaning. Uh, but the lessons were bigger and for me it was that organizing makes repairs possible because you know where to find things.
Having supplies at the ready. Eliminates excuses, which I was making all the time, making intentional time, even for small fixes, can prevent clutter, save money, and build satisfaction. So whether you fix it, clean it, or free it, the point is to make intentional choices. Because every small action, every patch, every wash, every mindful release moves you closer to a space that feels lighter, calmer, and more like you.
So thanks again for joining me this week. And for listening to the Fix It or Free It series. Until next week, happy organizing. Thank you for listening to the Organized and Cherish podcast with the Organized Flamingo. If you enjoy today's episode, I'd be so grateful if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast player.
It helps others discover our show. For full show notes, resources, and more organizing inspiration, visit www.theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast. Until next time, happy organizing.