admin In one of my recent blog posts – Decluttering made easy, I share some simple steps to make decluttering less overwhelming. You cannot organize clutter, therefore decluttering is an important step before commencing any organizing project. However, decluttering is about taking decisions, which for some envisages to be difficult.
Many get stuck when it comes to taking the decision on what to donate and throw away. This matter goes beyond than just making three piles and sorting. It is a matter of letting go of this, and for some this process can be stressful and despit acknowleding the need to declutter and organized, they categorically refuse to let go of this.
Envisage this: you decide to declutter your closet and find a pair of jeans that you have not worn in years. There is NO WAY that you are going to fit in time!
Yet you decide to keep them.
Why?
Most probably you made a million and one excuses why you should keep those pair of jeans.
Sometimes, we tend to hold on to the past in the form of material things. In some instances, it is gets out of control, where after the loss of a loved one or loss of a job, a person tends to hold to things or buy more things to compensate for love or to feel in control.
Do not underestimate the importance of decluttering and the difficulty some people find in letting go of things. In some cases this not only causes anxiety, but can be emotionally draining and even painful.
If you are one of those persons that find it difficult to let go of things, before decluttering you have to work on your FEAR. Once you come to terms with your fears, then you can move forward in a more serene attitude.
Let’s discuss some items that we can find difficult to let go:
1. Sentimental Items
We have different momentos, of experiences we had throughout our lives. These could be a shell from the beach we visited during our honeymoon, or our grandma’s sofa, or a t-shirt of a concert we have attended.
We all agree that these bring happy memories!!!
I myself struggle with this.
However ask yourself, if you would still remember that event if you did not have that item. If you reply yes easily then you can donate it. However, if you decide to keep it you might consider to take a photo of it.
I understand the difficulty when it comes to letting go of sentimental items. However, if they are stored away and you are not enjoying them, then it’s useless keeping them. You should make space to those items that make you happy.
2. "I might need it one day" - this is classic
This is the most common and most dangerous excuse. This leads us to keep holding to a variety of things – from instructions manuals (even of appliances that no longer work), to old school books to worn out tools.
Keeping things because one day we might use them, takes valuable space that can otherwise be use better.
It happens that we let go of something, but then we need it.
It’s okay!!!
You can borrow it, rent it or buy it again if moving forward you will be using that item on a regular basis.
3. The guilt feeling
Raise your hand, if you have some home decor item, which you hope someone breaks so you get rid of it, without feeling guilty!!!
I am sure that once in your lifetime you have received a gift that you didn’t love, but felt guilty of letting go of it and end up keeping anyway. If it is a home decor item, we might put it on display for fear that we offend the person who gave it to you.
We might feel even more guilty, if we bought something expensive but after a couple of years it does not fit your style anymore.
You should not feel GUILTY either way!
People change and what once used to make you happy, can now make someone else happy.
4. We keep postponing
Whether it’s because of the reasons mentioned above or because we don’t have time, we keep postponing.
Schedule it your calendar and dedicate a few minutes everyday to decluttering.
Once you have overcome your fears, and decided start declutter ask yourself the following questions so you keep focused:
- Do I love it? Now this present moment do you love that item? Keep items that you love.
- Do I use it? When was the last time I used it? If you have not used it this past year, it is very unlikely that you are going to use it.
- Do I have another of the same item? If you have multiple of the same thing, are you using them all? Or do you end up buying the same item, because you never can find it.
- Can I use something else in its stead? If there is something else that can do the same job, then you can let go of one of them.
- Would I buy it again?
- Did I remember I had this? It is very common that during the decluttering process, we find items that we forgot about. Take the opportunity to evaluate whether it is something you want to make use of or let go.
- Would I miss it, if I let go of it?
- Is it worth it’s cost and my time? Is it costing you money to store it, maintain it and cleaning? You should not be serving items.
- Does it fit your current lifestyle?
- Would I find the time to repair it? We definitely have broken items, that have been sitting there to get repaired for months. If you don’t have the time, either get third parties to fix it or else give it away and let someone else repair it.
- In what situation would I need it? As mentioned above we often say that we keep items, because of the fear we might need it one day and won’t have it. If you start making up scenarios of when you might be needing it, then it’s time to let go.
- Does it fit my lifestyle and moving forward do I want it in my life?
Once you have answered the above questions, and have made your decisions, make sure that what needs to be donated is donated as soon as possible – to avoid a change of heart. If you decide to sell the items, set a deadline by when are to be sold. If not sold by that deadline, donate them. Anything that needs to be thrown away, make sure to disponse of correctly and quickly.
It is ok to feel uncertain about some things, especially if you find it difficult to let go. Place those items into a box, set aside and if in 6 months time, you don’t revert to them, grab the box – DO NOT OPEN IT – and donate it.
If you find it difficult to let go of things, first work on your fears and then start decluttering.
Don’t embark in a massive decluttering project, start with something that gives you instant gratification. It would help you get in the right mind set to start working on larger projects.
Don’t feel ashamed to ask for help, whether from a professional home organizer or a friend. They will encourage you to keep you on track, stay focused and also assist with those difficult decisions.
Once you have decluttered, give yourself a pat on the back!!! Now you can move forward and start organizing.
Love
Strugglingmum xxxx
