Hopeless

Part 3: Sentimental items, and being intentional with my space. This is the hardest step for me and probably for most people. It can be hard to let go of items that have sentimental value attached, or items that you think you "might need later." Sometimes there's things we also want to be more intentional with but just haven't found the time or space to do what we want with them, so they sit around aimlessly.

9) Display, put away, or give away? I collect a lot of trinkets and decor items. I have a lot currently out, many of which were gifted to me or that I picked up while out and about. I can't feasibly have all of them out at the same time, so I allow myself a couple of bins to store trinkets in and try to declutter the rest. Some of it is given as gifts to my collector friends if I know they also like it. Some is listed on an online resale platform. If neither of those options are suitable, I consider donating it. I always try to ask myself, "Would I buy this new if I saw it today?" and that helps inform my answer on whether something should be kept or not.

9a) Reselling. I don't recommend this for everybody because sometimes it can be stressful in its own way to have to keep stuff that you don't actually intend to own anymore, sometimes long-term waiting for it to sell. It's just as valid to just donate/trash and be done with it. For me though, it brings a sense of peace to know that something I once treasured is going to someone who will appreciate it more. Usually I do this for childhood items that were sentimental to me but aren't what I actively collect anymore, as long as they are in good condition, because I find those extra-hard to let go of otherwise. You might also consider throwing a bunch of similar items into cheap bulk auction lots online and starting the bid super low so someone is guaranteed to take it in a reasonable amount of time.

9b) Donating. It can be really satisfying and freeing to just get a big box and drop off items that you do not use and don't want to go through the effort of selling or giving to someone else. This can include clothes, bags, and jewelry that no longer fit/don't match your current style, toys/books/games that you're no longer interested in, home decor that you don't see yourself putting out, things you bought and forgot to return until it was way too late, gift items that you never used and would have never picked out for yourself, etc. As long as it's in good condition, someone else can put it to use.

You can also look at other creative ways to donate. Schools, homeless shelters, womens' shelters, childrens' hospitals, animal shelters accept certain kinds of donations and it feels really good to let items go for a better purpose.

10) When it's time to let go... Trashing items that don't feel like "trash" is hard.  I have to force myself to do this from time to time because sadly I have a family history of hoarding and never want to end up like that. The ugly truth is that there will always be an excess of "stuff," not all of it is desirable enough to be given to others, and not all of it can be homed if you want to have peace of mind in your living space. 

"What if I need it someday? What if there's someone who could use it more? What if there's a way to reuse or recycle it?" Sometimes we have to just tune these questions out and choose to take our space back.

When I say this, I'm meaning items like...

* "Free Swag" from old events, clubs, charities, school or work functions. Keychains, tote bags, lanyards, ugly t-shirts, stickers, etc. I wish companies and organizations would stop doing this or at least be more intentional about making practical items rather than dust magnets to sit in junk drawers because we feel too guilty to toss it. It's so wasteful. Unless it's something really unique, no one cares about a piece of junk with a logo they have no attachment to on it. If you're not actively using it right now, throw it away.

* Clothes and soft items that are in too poor of shape to donate. Fades, stains, holes. Keeping one or two old tees to use as cleaning rags is sensible, or anything that you have an exact specific purpose to upcycle (NOT "I might make a t-shirt quilt someday maybe" - I'm talking an actual specific project with an end goal that you are motivated and already have the skills to see through). Don't think too hard about reusing anything else. Take a phone photo if it's something extra-sentimental, then throw it away. I did this for one sentimental t-shirt that was full of holes, woefully tossed it, and then got over it much quicker than I expected to. 

* Old notes, cards, sketches, calendars, planners, and other paper items. Some of this is OK to keep if it's deeply special to you, if it has real meaning behind it that you can pinpoint. But that sticky note doodle you did that one time, those homework notes from four years ago, that calendar from 2021, or those nonspecific Christmas cards from relatives you hardly speak to? Throw them away. If you're unsure, take a photo or scan it, then throw it away.

* Electronics packaging. You will never need the box your phone, computer, or game console came in ever again. I promise. Throw it away.

* Junk items that you've kept around "just in case." Throw them away. If it's been months/years and you haven't repurposed it already, you won't. There are too many examples to list, but to be real with you I just made myself dispose of a softball sized ball of Babybel wax because I had this grand idea of saving all the wax, sculpting figurines, and metal-casting them. I have no access to any materials or equipment with which to metal-cast a wax piece. I have actual craft clay that is easier and more fun to sculpt with. Yet it's been sitting for like two years if not longer 🫠 no more. I know I won't miss it after today.