What enjoyable weather we have had the last few days!
It prompted me to look at a few corners in my house where I encountered some challenges on what I can let go. I have added a “Letting Go” page to my website which gives you many resources on where you can take items that you have decided to let go, but the decision to let go is a whole different story!
I find the hardest to let go are historical artifacts or mementos. Here are some questions you can ask yourself and act upon:
What shape is it in? Will it completely disintegrate within a short time? How costly would it be to preserve it?
Would a photograph of it be enough for a memory jogger?
Is there another version(s) already stashed somewhere?
Is it part of a collection or a singular item? If it is a collectible, do you enjoy it?
Is there room for it in the present?
Is it worth remembering?
Does it have any monetary value?
Often, before making decision on what to keep and not to keep, I realize that it might be of so little value to me and my present life that passing it on to your favorite charity makes me feel better than keeping it. Refer to the donating part of my Letting Go page to find just the right home.
How about all those things that need repair to be either used or displayed again? If it has not found a repair shop or your honey-do’s hands and you would not buy the same type of item now, say good-bye to it. Alternatives are:
Giving yourself a short deadline for it to be repaired. If it is very important to you the deadline will be kept.
Can it be yard art?
Can it be repurposed?
Do you know a fixer-upper who would appreciate it (and not necessarily give it back to you)?
What about those presents you are stowing because they don’t fit your decor, life style, or personality? Either re-gift (hopefully not to the same person who gave it to you), donate, or consign it to a resale shop. If, by any faint possibility, the giver should ever ask for it, tell them you appreciated it for a while and that it found a new home. The same goes for things you may have inherited. If you love it, keep it. If you use it, keep. Otherwise, you can let go of it.
Closeted clothing? You have moved from a cold climate to a hot one and have a closetful of winter clothing that take up lots of space: Consider what you would need for a visit into the cold country and how useful it will be in your current climate. Also, face it, that “one day” you have been thinking about wearing that great skirt probably never comes.
My Declutter 101 can be downloaded from our website and gives you more questions to ask yourself to help you make those difficult decisions about what to let go and what not.
