Clearing Clutter For Healthier Life
Letting Go of “Stuff”
Many people are attached to stuff. They hoard things, refuse to let go of even the oldest, dingiest clothes, toys, and decorations. They are terrified to let go of these things and may even feel an emotional attachment to objects in their lives. Although sentimental items are important for keeping and passing along memories, there comes a point when you just need to let go.
Sentimental items are things that have real significance to a person’s history and life. Items such as wedding dresses, baby’s first shoes, and heirloom jewelry may be important to save and pass along to younger generations. These items are physical representations of an important memory or time period. However, some people get carried away when it comes to saving things. Many people just save junk.
In today’s culture of consumption, we accumulate a lot of stuff. We are constantly buying and adding to our collection of things. Although it can be fun to splurge or get new items, you can’t continue accumulating new things unless you get rid of some older ones. Cleaning, downsizing, and minimizing your collection of stuff are important in keeping a clean, organized home and mind. Letting go of old junk to make way for the new is extremely important.
Firstly, go through your stuff and group it into categories. Clothes, toys, pictures, junk, etc. Once you have it separated it by grouping, take each pile and further separate it into three piles: one that you can’t live without, another that is a maybe, and a third that will be given away or thrown out. When trying to place items in a pile, ask yourself, Will I really ever wear/ use this again? Or, Does this have any real sentimental value that would make me miss it on a regular basis if it was gone or destroyed. Items that do not contain any value or that you can’t see yourself needing should be let go.
Another reason people hang on to stuff way too long is that they think that anything that still works is still good. People feel guilty getting rid of items that are still usable or functioning. However, saving a 20 year-old TV or a piece of outdated equipment just because it is still functional is just a waste of space.
Although letting go of things can feel uncomfortable and emotional, it is also a way to start fresh. Getting rid of junk in your home can give you a sense of peace and calm that you are not surrounded by clutter. Also getting rid of junk makes you feel better about buying the one item you really want. Many people put aside buying a desired item because they know that their home is already too full of stuff. Getting rid of old junk can allow you to feel good about purchasing a new TV or going shopping for an updated wardrobe. Remember, not all items associated with a memory are sentimental and not all items that work are still worth keeping.
