It’s decluttering season, so I’m decluttering.
Which has me thinking about decluttering.
As someone who has arrived at a bizarre place in life where I make a living thinking about decluttering, I think about it a LOT.
A whole lot.
Recently, I’ve been thinking about some brain benefits of decluttering. I’m not talking about major psychological stuff, just ways in which decluttering seems to make my brain relax.
Lately, I’ve purged several things simply for their ugh factor. For their I dunnnnoooooo-ness.
Some clearly needed to go. Some could have stayed and been fine.
And while I’ve made big decluttering progress over the years by giving myself simple and non-emotional strategies to let go of stuff, I’ve been using this mindset quite a bit lately: If I get it out of my house, I’ll never have to think about it again.
And freeing my brain of a few things here and there just feels nice. Once something is gone, it’s not mine to ever deal with again. And that means I never have to consider it or feel guilty about it again.
Ever.
Because it doesn’t belong to me anymore.
Examples?
Santa. Cinder killed him.
I decided to take a chance on Cinder not going into her crate or the backyard while I took a bath.
Now, I know better.
I thought about how I could probably sew him back together and all that jazz.
Then I thought about how I wasn’t sure I really liked him anymore when I unpacked him from that box of Christmas decor back in November.
And then I stopped thinking. I realized that if I stuck him and his fluffy innards in a trash bag, I would never have to think about him again. Or move him. Or repair him. Or feel guilty about not having repaired him yet as I moved him again.
I felt a little bad for half a minute, and then I just felt relieved to know it was over.
Another example: my mostly-dead crockpot.
I’d had a few will-it-start-or-won’t-it experiences with that thing, and after a final it-won’t moment, I got rid of it. Honestly, I stuck it in the trash.
I thought about a hypothetical someone far away whose crock might have cracked and who might be thrilled to get my uncracked crock.
And then I thought, “I don’t want to think anymore. See ya’ Pot!”
And it was over.
Aaaahhhhh.
Or (and this one made me feel adventurous) my dust-collecting plates.
I suddenly noticed that two decorative plates on my wall were dusty.
They’d probably been dusty for quite a while.
This moment of noticing that they were dusty was probably the first time I’d noticed that they existed in a very long while.
So I stuck them in my Donate Box.
Dusty.
And I did a little dance of joy inside my head. Because now I don’t have to worry about noticing them or worry about noticing dust on them or worry about dusting them.
Ever again.
They’re gone.
You know how the best part of a vacation and the worst part of a job interview is often the anticipation? The thinking about how exactly things will work out?
But once a bad thing is over, there’s relief. Even if the outcome wasn’t what you wanted, at least it’s over.
Sticking clutter in a trashbag or a Donate Box is like that. It’s over. I’m done. Yay for moving on.
Decluttering may never be technically done, but it’s nice for that one item to be done.
You inspired me with this. I have a computer that I bought for my dad. He used it maybe half a dozen times, and then quit, and shortly thereafter he passed away. I boxed it up and brought it home, intending to sell it on e-Bay or something, because it was brand-new when I bought it, and although not expensive, I could probably get a couple hundred for it. It has sat under the table in my studio for six years now, and I periodically think Gee, I should do something about that. Well, guess what—it’s no longer brand-new, I could no longer get a couple hundred for it. and I’m tired of thinking about it. So on Monday, I’m putting it out with the rest of my donation to Vietnam Veterans. I’m sure someone will have a good use for it that doesn’t include sitting under a table for six years!
Good points!
Nice. I need to do this. Moving, and I am overwhelmed, to say the least. After the last move, 20 years ago,I have been careful about what, and how much, I bring into my house. But sometimes, things don’t make sense anymore. Not gonna move those things, no way, no how! Thank you!!!!!
I also am moving – and getting rid of stuff. My sister and I have figured out stuff, big stuff, in her house (where I’m moving to) that we’ll pay someone to get rid of, to make room for my furniture when I move in there. Some even has sentimental value – my dad’s stereo cabinets – but it’s time for them to go.
I love how you mentioned having that moment thinking about the crock and that hypothetical person somewhere needing one. I’ll have the same thought process and find the item still in the cupboard months/years later lol!
I just used that same crockpot to make apple butter. Love it. But when I first got it and used it the crock cracked. The company sent me a new crock. I put the old one in the garage because it wasn’t cracked through. You never know I thought. Then a few months later I thought, no way. And I donated it. They sure don’t make crockpots like they used to anymore.
I have 2 laptops that I gave my mum and have not gotten rid of them. They are also collecting dust in my bookshelf and I think they don’t work anymore so I think is time to say good bye. The way you show your content is very honest.
One thing I’ve found is that once I get rid of something I never think about it again. It has really helped me make progress. Also, the best shredder you can afford.
Now that a lot of the givers are dead, I am purging my house of never used wedding gifts. 32 years, it’s time!
I came across of bookends in my wardrobe yestderday that used to sit in one of my girl’s rooms when they were little. That little girl is 27! Every time I need something from that shelf I have to move these bookends. They are cute but quite large and very heavy and no one wants them. I donated them. Great tips on declutering as its changed my thinking.
I put my extra coffee mugs in a donateable box and will be taking them to Goodwill this weekend along with a bunch of other stuff that I need to have out of my home. I’m even going through my freezers to find the foods that haven’t been eaten yet and either a) eat them or b) recognize that they’ve gone bad in the freezer and get rid of them.
I’m having trouble getting rid of stuff faster than I bring stuff in. I really need to stop shopping, but I got into Bento style lunches and there are all these wonderful toys to make cutesy lunches and I fell for it. Whoops.
Thanks for the idea to do dishes before bed. I’ve got all of the dishes I dirtied today washed and on the drying rack, tomorrow’s lunch prepped and ready to pack and I have managed to do that every night for a week and it really makes me feel lighter and I sleep better. There’s still a lot of catching up to do, but I’m not losing ground to the mess anymore.
A very inspiring post alright! Today I have sorted probably 200 quilt magazines that have been using closet space that I need for other things. I tied them up with fabric selvages, and will donate them if my DIL or friends do not take them by Sunday! They are NOT going back on the shelves in my closet! Unfortunately I still have more left that will be processed tomorrow! I’d rather be quilting, but I made my commitment to declutter and then organize my sunroom big closet, and I’m going to do it! Gave my 7.5 ‘ Christmas tree to a friend yesterday to take to his flea market hobby; at least it’s out of my closet! It felt wonderful when I actually “found” the closet floor today! —“Love”
I love this. It’s so true. I feel a massive sense of relief when I put something in my donate box. I’m not someone who goes back and fetches stuff out. Once it’s in that box, it’s gone. My mind feels relieved, unstressed, Free! It really is liberating. Thank you for sharing this. It helps reinforce what I am learning. That getting rid of stuff is hard, it’s a battle, but actually, with practice, it feels GOOD!
All good points! And I LOVED the Santa slaying picture; thank Cinder for making that decision for you. 🙂
As we prep our house for sale, and ourselves for a long distance move, I have developed a new “eye” when I look at the contents of our 3000 sf house. Not just “do I want to move this,” but “do I want to PAY to move this, and then PAY for the real estate to keep it?”
It’s surprising how many things aren’t making that cut! The thrift shops locally have benefited, family members too, and we’ve enriched some junk haulers for taking large items and making them magically disappear. Keep up the good work. I’ve changed my acquisitive habits over the past few years, and your blog has contributed to that. Thank you!
I have problems decluttering. I am trying to figure out why and I have arrived at least two reasons (there must be more). 1. I have a fear of throwing things in landfills (like a crockpot). In my head I imagine it sitting there for centuries, unable to break down, and that guilt makes me hang on to stuff till I figure out the right thing to do with them. 2. If I have spent good money on stuff which I needed at one point, I feel like I am throwing away money if I throw it away now, and need it at a future date. Maybe my kids might need it. How do I get over these thoughts?
The way I get beyond those ‘Maybe my kids/grandkids will need it’ is to remember, I didn’t need anyone’s saves to accumulate the majority of my too-much-stuff, so they don’t me saving for them either.
Thrift stores are there for them, too.
My mother keeps trying to give me things that she doesn’t want anymore, or that she saved for us. A few we’ve kept, many things didn’t work with our house, or we didn’t have room for so we donated. It’s reached the point now where we just say no.
So whenever I catch myself thinking, “Maybe I should save that for when my kid gets older,” I think back to the week before when I had to fend my mother off from giving me another box of things she saved that I don’t want.
Jackie, maybe you can think of it this way. “This item cost $35.00 and I need it to last for 4 years. (or whatever number) I am not buying this to serve me well forever, because crockpots don’t serve well forever.” And then get rid of it at the ‘not serving well’ point. If it lasts longer than your given number…yea! If not, you will know that it was to be expected and it is NORMAL to get rid of it.
Realizing I don’t sell anything because I am not a salesperson. Donating is my best option if what I am donating can be resold. People that donate trash well, that’s just wrong. I had a hoarding problem. I thought I would sell it all one day and the day never came.
I can so relate to this post. I knit socks. A few months ago, I noticed I had worn homed in 2 different pair of socks. I put them in the “need to fix” pile. Yesterday, I came across that pile and looked at the socks. I enjoyed knitting them, and I enjoyed wearing them, but I made the decision to rid my life of them, because I didn’t like them enough to fix them. So, I trashed them. I can’t tell you how much relief I felt when I did that.
I wore HOLES not homed in them!!!
MK, I have a drawer of “fix it later” stuff in my office. I know I can better use that drawer for something else, and I have JUST the thing in mind that is currently homeless. Thanks for the reminder. Getting up RIGHT NOW to do that…. AND DONE!
I am laughing so hard at the dog that killed Santa! I can sooooooo relate to that one! Been there, done that. Seems like our dog manages to do something like that within 12 hours of us vacuuming… Great post, I need to be reminded to just trash stuff that is giving me stress. Thank you so much for your encouragement and sense of humor!
We totally get your thing about not really seeing the plates on the wall, nor the dust on them. We hang pictures then don’t look at them consciously for years, or until they get knocked crooked and we notice. We place furniture and it stays until we move. Too much else to think about I guess. 🙂 Thanks for all the great advice and realizing it may be obvious for some people, but there are plenty of us who need it!
Oh my gosh, just what I needed to hear. I am about to go from having a whole room devoted to my painting & craft studio/office, to moving all said supplies into my actual bedroom closet. My daughter and grandkids are moving in and the kids will need that room. I have to reduce my yarn stash, greatly reduce my sewing stash and figure out how to store what’s left, included blank canvases, sewing machine, etc. I have been having a really hard time with this, experiencing deep anxiety every time I walk in that little room. I had already decided to throw out all tangled and half used balls of cheapest stash yarn and half finished-but hated- projects. Now maybe I can let go of some other things too! Thank you for sharing your insight and humor!
I had great joy as I put away my Christmas decorations this year. It has been niggling in the back of my mind that there are just some ornaments from my childhood that I am not interested in using. I bought some new CLEAR boxes for the ones I wanted to keep and then the kids and I sat down and decided which ones we were now willing to toss. IT FELT WONDERFUL! Now that we are in a ‘new’ old large house, I know just what I need and just what I don’t.
I keep forgetting that ‘I’ am in charge of my home and I can actually make decisions about that.
I remember always being worried as I was growing up, when favorite toys disappeared. We thought mom had some boxes up in the attic. I was excited to be able to go up and see what she really and truly kept for us. After mom and dad passed away and we had to clean the house out….we discovered that she kept NOTHING. lol AWWWW MANNNN! But, hey, it was HER house. Yes, she probably felt a little bit of guilt, but a WHOLE lot of freedom.
My daughter taught me to say: “I give myself freedom to throw this away” (or donate or whatever). This has saved me so many times from hanging on to things for [whatever reasons I come up with] but if honest know I’ll never use it again because I never liked it in the first place, or it didn’t work out the way I had hoped it would, or because someone gave it to me. And once gone, it’s a relief to know I never have to try to make that decision “the next time”! And I do always feel like my brain has been freed of its clutter!
Amen , Sister!!
Love this article. I wanted to shate it to a decluttering facebook group. I can’t find the share icons/buttons most websites have for Fb, Twitter, Pintrest, ect. Where are they, or, why don’t you have this feature? Thanks!
They’re there, at the top left of the post, above the title. It’s possible that the service I use was either down or taking longer to load when you visited?
My giant soup pot just went into the back of my car for donation. It was in the out of the way cabinet where I store my crock pot and wok. I actually use my wok about once a month, but haven’t used the soup pot in several years. Wok stays, the soup pot goes.
You have helped me “see” things that I frequently just look past. When I see them, I often make the decision to let them go.
That hypothetical person MUST live in my town, needing all my broken things and all my kids outgrown clothes! Even if there is a teeny tiny tear or stain, it will be worth it for them to fix it!
I love this “new” perspective and plan on implementing it for the new year, 2020. I walk past things in my house that have been sitting for far too long, caked in dust and stressing me out because I don’t know how or want to deal with it.
Your plate example really hit home with me. Thank you for helping me see things differently in my house!
I just had a great declutter moment. My friend mentioned her daughter’s electronic picture frame had died and they were looking for a new one, but found them to be expensive. I jumped up and found mine in a drawer. The last time I used it was Christmas 2018. Soon after, I broke the stand and maybe that was why it was in the drawer instead of donated. My friend was thrilled to get it, even with the broken stand. I haven’t wanted to use it for 3 years and it will be up and showing photos later today.
I have a Cinder, too! She hasn’t destroyed anything yet, but she can find any little thing on the floor. Just like a toddler… “what’s in your mouth?” (I do vacuum often)
😉
This article hit the sweet spot.
I cleaned out a garage cabinet this past weekend. Released multiple car waxes that were bought over 25 years and never used. Each shelf got emptied – washed and then less was put back. It was my happy time for the day.
Thanks for keeping us together!
I laughed to myself when I saw your comment about it being possible for you to have Christmas things out on June. Guess what, I’ve had a basket collecting stray Christmas items as well as a pile of ornament crown things and hooks the toddler had joyously ripped off of ornament after ornament sitting at my husband’s covid standing desk waiting to be thrown into one of the Christmas boxes in the garage. I like to blame it on my dear husband as I’d passed the job off to him in February or March, partly because I viewed that area of the garage as his domain and partly because I didn’t want to deal with it. Obviously, he doesn’t want to either…. 😏
To clarify, the basket was in the covid homeschool room for three months and then sitting by the front door for three months. The basket is now missing and it’s contents were piled on a low set of drawers there by the door, but now they’re scattered all over the floor with the rest of the stuff that got piled there after two of my kids had an unpleasant argument there in the entryway…. I’m not sure how the oldest escaped cleaning that up…..
Someday, the Christmas things will get put away…. Someday!
Ooooooh, Dana, I LOVE your big rug with the concentric squares. Gorgeous!
And…thanks for this post. So much.
Love it! Just the other day, my husband asked me about something that I got rid of almost 4 years ago. He was like, “Why did you get rid of it?” My reply, “Because you haven’t asked about it or cared about it in over 4 years.” Reading this post reminded me how nice it was that I didn’t handle, look at, feel guilty about, or even think about that item for over four years! Hooray!