The upside of decluttering

Jan 4, 2011

Editor's note: Dr. Doniger's column, Dental Diaries, appears regularly on the DrBicuspid.com advice and opinion page, Second Opinion.

I try to lead a balanced life. After all, I lecture on the topic to audiences across the U.S. I tend to follow my own advice, although sometimes it is difficult trying to do everything at once. But this past week, I did listen to my own wisdom of trying to declutter.

What exactly does it mean to "declutter"? Well, do you have one of those counters in your office or drawers in your kitchen that seems to be a collection of stuff that you feel is such a necessity you must keep it forever? Yet by the time you go back and look at it -- days, weeks, months, or even years later -- you find yourself wondering, "Why did I ever need to keep that?"

I think as dentists we are used to keeping things. We are required to keep patient records for a specific time period. We like to hold on to special journals that we think we will go back to, look up an article in, or eventually read the cover story of. Some of us even have instruments and devices we used in dental school -- even if dental school was more than three decades ago!

On a recent Friday, I found myself with a few hours of free time. I was caught up on all my errands and decided to attack a favorite "catch-all" set of drawers. What I found was incredible. Tickets from Cubs games years in the past. Postage stamps that will need at least an extra 10¢ to be utilized. Calendar schedules from my dental school days! Interesting stuff, necessary at one point but completely useless today.

Two items in particular are worth mentioning, though. In several old calendars -- and remember, these were from the days prior to concern about heightened security, identity theft, and electronic personal data -- I had written all of my families' Social Security numbers. At that time, you needed these numbers to register for school or inquire about insurance. They were easily accessible, carried around in my purse or briefcase. Now, random, discrete numbers are assigned for these purposes, to protect our identity.

I'm happy I found those old calendars. I shredded them, along with the personal data they contained. It is amazing how much personal information we have just lying around (or hiding in a drawer) that we forget about.

As for the other interesting item I found: It was a pin I made many years ago. It was something of value and meaning to me; I enjoyed wearing it, but had completely forgotten where I had put it. I obviously put it in a very "safe" place, the drawer of lost items, and finally found it after all these years! The pin had four silver charms on it: "laugh," "dream," "imagine," and "love." Four great tenets to live by.

We all can use a little decluttering from time to time. At the office, in our homes, maybe in our cars. It is very cathartic, throwing out stuff you don't need or use anymore. Seeing empty spaces that are now either ready to be filled up with new treasures (or dental materials, depending on the space) is a good thing. But leaving them empty may be even better.

Sheri Doniger, D.D.S., practices clinical dentistry in Lincolnwood, IL. She has served as an educator in several dental and dental hygiene programs, has been a consultant for a major dental benefit company, and has written for several dental publications. Most recently, she was the editor of Woman Dentist Journal and Woman Dentist eJournal. You can reach her at [email protected].

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