Remember the days of childhood when the larger your present stash was during the holidays, the better? Or the more baseball cards, American Girl dolls, barbies, or action figures to your name, the more playground cred you had?
Those days seem far away, and the deeper we dive into adulthood, we start to really understand the eye rolls, deep sighs, and secret purges our mothers were so accustomed to every time we came home from a birthday party with a much-too-heavy goodie bag.
Purging, organizing, and throwing away unused items in your home has been on trend for a while now. From books like The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing [2] by Marie Kondo to feng shui concepts [3] and even theories about its importance on mental wellness [4], the benefits of keeping things tidy and getting rid of belongings we don't use are hard to deny. Even shows like Hoarding: Buried Alive [5], though extreme, if anything, have helped bring this topic to light.
Organizing and purging [6] helps create balance in your home, and our surroundings — whether people or environmental — can definitely play a part in regulating our stress and bringing happiness into our lives. And with Spring in our midst, a good seasonal swipe of belongings [7] is due.
However, what about all of you out there who have that irrational yet very real fear of throwing something out and then needing it the next week? Or what about the fellow sentimental hoarders [8] out there who feel like tossing out a birthday card or piece of artwork your nephew drew for you is a form of disloyalty? Or giving something away with the potential to be worth big bucks? (Polly Pockets [9]?! Who knew!)
I will admit, I have have been there on all accounts, and it was a bummer. The bigger bummer, though? I can honestly say it's feeling crowded, stressed, and disoriented from having too many belongings around you. There is nothing quite as liberating as being surrounded by a well-curated, organized collection of belongings from home appliances to clothing to kitchen tools to makeup. It can make you feel free and clearheaded.
So, during my latest purge, to ensure that I could get to that euphoric state of organization and cleanliness, I followed a few simple reminders/steps to hush that little "but what if" voice that sings so loudly in my head whenever it is time to throw things out or give things away.
1. Think About How Happy It Will Make Someone Else
I personally have issues with (and I know it's silly) personifying things. I had a hard time as a child giving up my stuffed animals because I felt sad, as though I hurt their feelings by giving them away. But always think Toy Story 3. Andy gave away his beloved toys because he knew they would have more love and use from Bonnie. And though I cried like a toddler in the movie theater, it is important to remember that all the things that you are purging and giving away could really make another person who is in need [11] very happy. That alone should boost incentive.
2. Ask Yourself When Was the Last Time You Wore/Used It
It's a popular mantra, but really, if you haven't worn it in six months, and it's in season (and not occasion-specific) toss it! This goes for appliances too. Be honest with its value and use in your world. Your belongings deserve a better life than being left on a hanger or accumulating dust in a cabinet.
3. Take a Picture of It
Thankfully, pictures are now digital and things like Dropbox or Google Photos allow us to hold those memories in the cloud or on a hard drive. That works in our favor. If you have an array of artwork from a little love in your life or cards from people you care about or maybe even a playbill from the show you saw on a first date, pick only a couple things that mean the most and take a picture of the rest. Create a folder for those keepsake memories, notes, cards, and souvenirs from your life in a safe, digital space and revisit them there.
4. Treat Storage as Seasonal Closet Space
Your extra cabinet, garage, or downstairs storage unit does not exist just to be filled. In fact, the ultimate goal is to keep that clean and organized as well! This should be filled with two things: either keepsake items like photo albums (and even then, be selective) or seasonal items like Christmas decorations, skis, or wakeboards. These are things you need and use, but not every moment of the year, so don't utilize this space for anything other than that.
5. Don't Worry About Later
As most new-aged philosophy will tell you, it's important to focus on the now. Be in the moment, you can look ahead like, "Oh, I should save this fondue maker for book club I'm hosting next month" or "This Halloween [12] costume is perfect for that themed birthday party next week." But don't look ahead into years unless it is of heirloom value. Just keep the things that stand the test of time like quality items, evergreen appliances, heirloom products, and things you use regularly.
6. Remind Yourself That This Could Potentially Help Your Taxes
When you donate, you get a receipt, and this could potentially help your tax return. Giving to others AND helping on returns? It doesn't get better than that!
7. Is It Quality? If Not, Then Toss It!
Don't keep the products or pieces that are not of quality. Even if you need it, keep it until you can invest in a new one. Focusing on getting products for your home and pieces of your wardrobe that are of a certain quality will help you to appreciate the difference of "collecting" things. You will find that if this is a priority, you will naturally have to purge less because the things worth keeping usually cost a bit more — and last longer. So in the meantime, during the purge, if you don't think it will make it past another year, say goodbye!
Once you keep these thoughts circulating through your mind, that little negotiator inside of you will start to quiet because there are too many offenses against it. By purging, you are not only helping yourself and improving your quality of life, but you are also potentially helping others by giving things away to those in need. It's a win-win. Just keep your eyes on the prize, and that is the peace of knowing where everything is and that everything around you is of use to you and your life. Then breathe deep because ahhh! It's relaxing!