I took a break for my birthday, but I’m still mad-focusing on decluttering our home. The donation site’s pick-up crew is coming to the condo on Friday, so my Spring Cleaning has a deadline. Come Saturday, I hope to only own things that are dear to me.
Despite my zest for a more minimalist existence, getting rid of things can be hard. When I’m having that internal “should it stay or should it go?” debate, I think to myself “could someone else use this more?” This is a non-starter, however, as the answer is always yes.
Odds are that the answer is the same for you, dear reader.
The better question is:
This is what helps me get rid of some of the “sticky” things: dresses that are a size too small (but I hope will fit again if I try harder!), something on which I spent too much money (but if I keep it I might get my money’s worth out of it!).
Understanding the realities of my body and the concept of sunk cost don’t always help. I have to really focus on the best use of the item in question.
For example, we are currently reorganizing the living room and in the process, it may lose this overstuffed armchair I’ve had since I moved to the city six years ago. While part of me has trouble letting go of something that was such a huge purchase at the time, I know that rooms evolve depending on the needs of their inhabitants.
Perhaps the armchair will have an amazing second life in the apartment of a new college grad. That person can definitely use it better than we are right now.
Sarah says
I too have been very busy spring cleaning….lots of little girl items and many other sundry items. I understand your dilemma. I choose to pay it forward. To help me, our elementary school has a goodwill truck parked in the lot and they get 5cents per pound. Each of elementary schools has a truck the “winner” will receive an extra $500.00. We are a school where 40 percent of students are free and reduced lunch. Drew is in class with many students who come to school each day without a snack. Drew and I select a healthy snack each week to send in. One in three children in Western North Carolina do not know where one meal a day is coming from. We are in the top 3 in the nation for children who go Hungary each day…so I think my point was yes, I can let go of Ann Taylor suit that I purchased for an interview 10 years ago….I did get the job:)
Helena says
Oh, Sarah, that’s so well-said. It’s cool that the goodwill people are having that contest for the schools! If I were nearby we could give you several pounds of stuff! Kerry is on her way over to add to my pile and then the donation pick-up people are coming at 2.
In Texas, Kerry and I went to schools where the percentages of free lunch recipients were very high. I remember one kid not believing me that I had more than one pair of shoes.
Sarah says
I too have been very busy spring cleaning….lots of little girl items and many other sundry items. I understand your dilemma. I choose to pay it forward. To help me, our elementary school has a goodwill truck parked in the lot and they get 5cents per pound. Each of elementary schools has a truck the “winner” will receive an extra $500.00. We are a school where 40 percent of students are free and reduced lunch. Drew is in class with many students who come to school each day without a snack. Drew and I select a healthy snack each week to send in. One in three children in Western North Carolina do not know where one meal a day is coming from. We are in the top 3 in the nation for children who go Hungary each day…so I think my point was yes, I can let go of Ann Taylor suit that I purchased for an interview 10 years ago….I did get the job:)
Helena says
Oh, Sarah, that’s so well-said. It’s cool that the goodwill people are having that contest for the schools! If I were nearby we could give you several pounds of stuff! Kerry is on her way over to add to my pile and then the donation pick-up people are coming at 2.
In Texas, Kerry and I went to schools where the percentages of free lunch recipients were very high. I remember one kid not believing me that I had more than one pair of shoes.
Helena says
Oh, Sarah, that’s so well-said. It’s cool that the goodwill people are having that contest for the schools! If I were nearby we could give you several pounds of stuff! Kerry is on her way over to add to my pile and then the donation pick-up people are coming at 2.
In Texas, Kerry and I went to schools where the percentages of free lunch recipients were very high. I remember one kid not believing me that I had more than one pair of shoes.
Theresa says
I always feel lighter when I move countries and all my belongings have to fit into two backpacks. Nothing like showing the essentials of life!
Every few months, my girlfriends and I have clothing swaps (just like when I lived in Chicago with ya!). Really helps me cut down on the “I don’t want to do laundry” items in my closet, and gets me focused on my matra: “Does this make me feel fabulous?”
Theresa says
I always feel lighter when I move countries and all my belongings have to fit into two backpacks. Nothing like showing the essentials of life!
Every few months, my girlfriends and I have clothing swaps (just like when I lived in Chicago with ya!). Really helps me cut down on the “I don’t want to do laundry” items in my closet, and gets me focused on my matra: “Does this make me feel fabulous?”
คาสิโน says
993796 953520You produced some decent points there. I looked over the internet for any dilemma and found most individuals goes as effectively as with your web website. 445618
꽃계열 says
112776 36873Hi my friend! I want to say that this post is remarkable, good written and contain approximately all significant infos. Id like to see far more posts like this . 222886
buy necklace says
1682 34585I genuinely enjoy your site, but Im having a dilemma: any time I load 1 of your post in Firefox, the center with the internet page is screwed up – which is bizarre. May I send you a screenshot? In any event, keep up the superior work; I certainly like reading you. 684629
safe fn hack says
653234 805856I real pleased to uncover this website on bing, just what I was searching for : D too saved to bookmarks . 320381
Micro frontends says
385995 388301Hi there! I could have sworn Ive been to this website before but following reading by way of some of the post I realized it is new to me. Anyhow, Im undoubtedly glad I found it and Ill be book-marking and checking back often! 92341
eBay music sale says
27539 149880thank you dearly author , I found oneself this internet website really beneficial and its full of outstanding healthy selective information ! , I as effectively thank you for the amazing food program post. 636891
dumps cc shop says
848240 594067These kinds of Search marketing boxes normally realistic, healthy and balanced as a result receive just about every customer service necessary for some product. Link Building Services 495971
Tomoko says
Hey there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading through
your posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that
deal with the same subjects? Many thanks!
facebook lite login says
383315 420327Wow you hit it on the dot we shall submit to Plurk in addition to Squidoo well done انواع محركات الطائرات | هندسة نت was wonderful 611424