Be Thankful and Let Go!

Getting organized is truly about making decisions, and many of our clients and Clutter Diet members need some help with decision-making skills. When they are going through their items they often get stuck with some thoughts that hold them back from letting go. Can you relate?

 

Here are the most common sticking points and how we would talk you through them:

• “I might need it later:” When is the last time you used this? If it’s been over a year, and especially if it’s been over two years, strongly consider the possibility that you may never use it again.
• “I don’t know how to dispose of it:” The item may be environmentally sensitive or hazardous, or you just would like to recycle it instead of put it in the landfill. You can search Earth911.com to find out exactly what to do with these types of items in your own local area.
• “I paid too much money for it:” First consider someone close to you who might enjoy the item and give it to them instead of donating it to charity. Is it too nice to give away? Maybe you need to sell it instead. You can take nice clothing to local consignment stores. Craigslist.org is a versatile resource, and eBay is great for things that would sell better to a national market, like collectibles.
• “My children might want it:” Are you sure? How long have they been away from home? If they have their own homes and families, chances are they probably don’t want the items unless they have strong sentimental value. Be careful not to force the item on them with guilt or obligation! And if they really do want it, take action quickly and get it shipped to them and out of your living space.
• “It reminds me of a special time or person:” If the item is truly an important sentimental keepsake, by all means, keep it! But if you are keeping too many items in this category, you may need to prioritize them to save space. What is more precious, one or two extremely meaningful items, or a thousand? At some point the keepsakes lose some of their meaning and significance if there are too many.

Ultimately, one of the best ways to let go is to silently be grateful and acknowledge the role the item has played in your life, and then say goodbye. Negative or positive, it all is there to teach us a lesson of some kind, and we can always find a way to be grateful for learning and growth. Be mindful of the belongings in your life this season. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

(This is an abridged version of the November article I wrote for Connections for Women, a great site that I contribute to monthly. Click here to read the full version on their site.)

Comments

[Rubbermaid Erin]

Another great way to think about keepsakes is "will a picture be enough to remind me of what this item represents?" Take a picture of some of your keepsakes and put them in an album to remind you of the good times that the keepsake represents.

[Liz]

Yep, can relate to the one "I paid too much money for it"! But I've just given two cream beanbags away to some friends - they've squashed in my shed for 3 years! Hooray!

[cathy]

Nothing will bring you more joy than more space to breath and enjoy the things that really make you smile.

[Sara Canaday]

When you let go of the past, it opens the way for receiving your future. Now, if I could only "let go" of worrying about the past and what might happen in the future.

[Nancy]

I agree with taking a photo of an item and putting it in a special book - also write a short note about the item and why it was so special to you - or better yet write the story first and see if it is in fact special enough.

[Elizabeth]

I finally threw out the souvenirs from our honeymoon. I don't need the items to remember the wonderful time we had...I can just look at my husband!

[Michele Bisson]

I just brought my daughter an organic cotton mattress topper for which I had paid $350 2 years ago. She has no use for it and has posted it on Kijiji. Now that it's out of the house, I feel relief and, strangely enough, I don,t really give a hoot if she sells it and what she gets for it. Main thing is, ITS GONE!

[Priscilla Boston]

My deceased mom was an antique dealer and I have had a hard time letting go of her treasures. I recntly let go of a mantel clock that did not work in my house by giving it to a girlfriend who happened to be looking for one, and who knew and was fond of my mother. It will delight me no end to see my mother's clock sitting on my girlfriend's mantel!

[Tammy McKinley]

"Getting organized is truly about making decisions"

YES...that is my problem!
I have great idea's on how to store
and keep items neatly.
I just have too much, and can't let go.
We have always been financially challenged, but it has gotten worse, my husband lost his job a month ago.
So now I am sorting items to
see if I can sell them.
This creates bags of items, waiting to go OTD.
But because of gas Prices..I have to wait to have enough to take
to make it financially worth it.
Other items I have not let go of for sentimental reasons.
I am getting better, by joining groups of others who are clearing clutter for support.
And getting your E mail helps me so much too!
Thank You for the help and great information! :)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Tammy : )

[Lisa K.]

I agree that indecisiveness is a major cause of clutter! Also, trying to do things perfectly can halt your progress. So, be decisive and don't be afraid to make mistakes. No one is perfect! You'll find that you'll be pleased with your decisions and the organized space you created!