As we head into a new year, many people will begin to declutter their homes. For some people it is a daunting, chore of task that can leave them at a standstill. Fear not! Here are the three main reasons people get stuck while decluttering and how to overcome it:
Reason #1 “It was a gift/hand-me-down/heirloom”- This is perhaps one of the more challenging hiccups people encounter while downsizing their belongings. There can be such an immense feeling of guilt when you want to get rid of something that someone gifted to you (whether it be a present, or a family member gifting that watch from your grandma who passed on). Here are some things to remember:
Just because something was gifted to you, does not make it your responsibility to manage that item for the rest of your life. For starters, you would need such a big house.
It's the thought of the gift that matters. I know this sounds cliche, but it is true. Think about a time when you gifted someone something and how great it felt to give it to them. Now think about the last time you thought about that item, probably not since you gifted it to them. Your friends will not be mad, or even remember that they gave you that thing that one time.
Would your loved one who passed want to you to keep something of theirs that you didn’t really want? To go even a bit further, would you want to then pass that item that you didn't want along as a burden to your children?
Something that you downsize and donate will be of much better, more valued use to someone who needs it rather than being tucked away in your closet.
Reason #2 “I spent money on it”. - I hear this all the time. People feel guilty getting rid of something that they spent money on because they feel as though they are wasting the item.
The money is wasted when you purchase the item, not when you purge it! Let.it.go.
Holding onto it purely out of guilt is not solving the problem and the item will only linger around as a reminder of an impulse purchase. Moving forward be mindful to make more thoughtful purchases to resolve this on the front end.
That item could be an incredible regift or donation to someone who would truly love it.
Reason #3 “What if I need it?”
If you needed it, you would already be using it and wouldn’t have to ask “what if”
What if you don’t need it? It will just sit in your garage for another 5 years until you have this same internal dialogue and end up donating it anyways.
How hard would it be to get another one if you truly found a time when you needed it?
Decluttering is one of the best things you can do for yourself and for your home. We must be ruthless editors of our items to make sure we are only living with the things we love or that are useful to us. If you do not use or wear it it....LET.IT.GOOOOO!
