Plenty of belongings are easy to declutter. But what
about those more challenging items?
1. Gifts
You have a present that isn't
your taste or style. Yet, you feel you must keep it because of who gave it. You feel removing it is rejecting the giver. That's not true. It's the thought when they gave it that counts.
Gift it to someone who admires it
or donate it to be enjoyed elsewhere.
Did the giver mean it to be a problem? Will they know you don't have it? Probably not. But, if they notice it's gone and actually ask, explain that you
enjoyed it and, since you've been simplifying, you wanted someone else to be able to enjoy it too.
2. Inherited Items
The challenge is in the item taking on more meaning due to what it represents. You are not throwing away the memories or feelings, but rather an object that acted as a reminder.
Take
photographs and make a note of why it was important or record a memory of the person who left it to you.
Check if there's anyone close who might treasure it.
Donate it to a cause close to the original owner's heart.
3. Sentimental Items
Children's artwork, greetings cards, and children's clothes get kept for sentimental reasons. Over time, this stock outgrows storage.
Eventually the items don't carry the same attachment, but because we once thought they were for keeps, they stay.
Select one or two pieces of artwork or cards to keep. Place them in a folder with clear sleeves or frame and display them. Photograph any meaningful notes/messages that you want to save before throwing them away.
From now on, only
hold onto the most recent card, replacing it when you get a new one. Make a framed collage of special ones and have the fun of rediscovering them as you create.
Children's clothes may be put to better use if made into cushions or a quilt.
4. Broken items (that were once worth something)
A well-loved piece...jewelry, a watch, or china object gets broken, and we can't bear to throw it away. You
don't want the memory it represents to be of something broken and useless.
Is it worth repairing? Then do! Or research getting sentimental, broken jewelry re-fashioned to wear.
5. Expensive items
When you've made an expensive shopping mistake it's hard to justify getting rid of it, seeing it as a
waste.
Look at it differently. The waste happened when you bought it. Now it's time to get something back. Sell, donate, or pass it on and regain some of its value.
You'll stop wasting space or energy and remove the constant reminder, allowing you to let the mistake go too.