“Just because something made you happy in the past doesn’t mean you have to keep it forever.”

As I mentioned in an earlier post, minimalism is a continual editing process. And so it is still for me. Before we start decluttering, we need to be aware of 2 questions. In the next post, we will use these questions to start decluttering our closets.

We all have our seasons and so has our stuff

At the moment I purchase something, it fits in my life and I love it. Maybe I really did need the object when I bought it, but we evolve; and as we do, our values and goals change. We want to have an awareness when we make purchases. We all have our season and so has our stuff.

Reasons I’m still buying things:

• Because I own fewer clothes, a replacement is often needed when an item has a hole in it or a spot that cannot be removed.
• The item I have does not serve the right function and needs to be replaced
• I realize something is missing

Start decluttering
When you start decluttering, you could feel overwhelmed. Here are the tools that work best for me. Just take things step-by-step, using it as a guide…and let yourself be inspired.

Before you start decluttering, think about these 2 questions:

1. Are you holding on to something because it was expensive?
2. Do you feel guilty of getting rid of items that were a present?

Are you holding on to something because it was expensive?
Let’s say you bought a coat that was quite expensive. Maybe you spent a bit more money than you usually do. It’s hanging in your closet and every time you see the coat you sigh because you’re not wearing it. But it’s too expensive to just chuck it. Will knowing that it was expensive suddenly make you start wearing it? Most of the time, it will be a source of guilt, rather than an invitation for use.

Below are suggestions that will help you gain a sense of fulfillment as you get rid of items. I promise that you will feel lighter after this ‘clutter’ is removed from your house. Because that is what it is now, clutter. It’s a weight in that closet and in your mind. We need to get rid of that weight.

1. Give it to charity – the thought that someone finds this gem in a thrift shop is an exciting one for me.
2. Sell it through eBay (Craigslist, Marktplaats, etc.). It feels great to get a message from someone telling me how happy they are with an item after it arrives. They’re happy with an item that was collecting dust in my closet!
3. Give it to a friend who will be happy with it.

Do you feel guilty of getting rid of items that were a present?
Maybe you live in an apartment where your parents bought most of the stuff to support you. Or maybe your house is full of presents from friends, or objects from traveling.
Now you want to simplify your life and you feel like you want to get rid of excess stuff. You feel that this item is not giving you joy and it also doesn’t serve a function.

But what to do with the items that were a gift? Does it make you feel and look ungrateful? Is it weird to get money for these items when you sell them?
Here are some suggestions on what you can do:

1. You can re-gift. Keep items separate for secondhand presents (make sure you don’t give it back to the person who gave it to you). I often do this and always note in the card that the object has been part of my life, but I see it more fit for that person. Most people appreciate these ‘second life’ gifts.
2. If you have some bigger objects – furniture that you got from your parents, for example – try to sell the furniture and buy your parents dinner with the profit. Or cook for them, and you can use the rest of the money for another purpose. Surely your parents will understand and you will still have a feeling of ‘paying them back’ in experience as a way to express gratitude for their generosity.
3. You can ask the person if they want it back. You can explain your new lifestyle or talk to them through your thinking. They gave it to you in the first place because they thought you needed it. And you did, for a period of time. But now it no longer gives you joy or serves a purpose. Maybe it does for them now. Or maybe they know someone else who can use it.

I wrote a separate blog post where we talk about what to do with your unwanted items.
In general, we can categorize our objects according to 2 values: functional value and emotional value. The items that contain emotional value are the most difficult to get rid of, so that is really the last step of decluttering.

The first step in decluttering is your wardrobe.

Were there some items that immediately came to mind when you read these questions?

Thank you for reading.
We’re in this together.
~