Holding On To Stuff And Letting Go, Where Do You Draw The Line?

Today is the first day of spring and even though the weather is still cold, spring is here and it’s time to think about clearing out and letting go. The process of getting rid of things can be a difficult one, and there are many reasons why we hold on. Here is a list of a few reasons people hang onto things and some helpful advice on how to encourage the purge. Items of Value This is the struggle we see most often. We don’t want to eliminate something from our possession because it has value. The problem is there are many things that have value and they end up invading our space! Think about your home, real estate is expensive and you want your home to be a place where you can relax and feel comfortable. If that space is filled with items you don’t want there, you’re not enjoying it fully. Set a deadline to get it out. Make arrangements to sell online or give them to a friend or family member. Memorabilia We hang on to memorabilia and mementos that remind us of our past. Think about why you are holding on to certain memories. Does the benefit of having it outweigh the cost of the space it’s taking up? It’s also important to remember that if you keep too much, you can’t find what’s truly important. It’s good to keep some mementos, but set boundaries on what you hold on to. Determine what you realistically have the space for, and how much space you want to designate to those items. Family Heirlooms Has a family member passed away and left you with their antique living room set? Does it not fit into your ultra modern space? What do you do with items passed down from generations? Do you think your kids will want it in the future—probably not. Make arrangements to get it into the hands of someone who will appreciate it, it’s the best way to honor the memory of your loved one. A digital photo is a good way to always hold on to the memory without sacrificing the living room. Might need it some day So much is saved for a rainy day. There’s a difference between needing something and possibly needing something. If you haven’t used it in the past year and space is at a premium, let it go! Adult Children’s Items Have your kids grown up and moved on? Are their childhood items still hanging around in your basement or attic? If you have the space and you don’t mind, that’s one thing. If the stuff is taking up space and causing any resentment, get it out. Once the kids are adults, it becomes their problem. Haven’t taken the time to toss it  Ok, this last one is more common than you may think. We have stuff around that needs to go, we just don’t take the time to get it out. Maybe a regular walk-around with a garbage bag or donation box will do the trick. Maybe an appointment with your organizer is in order. Get the stuff, that you know needs to go, out ASAP.