This one isn’t fun and it isn’t all that enjoyable while you are doing it, but after you get rid of some things that you no longer use, it feels great.
Whether it is clothes you no longer wear, books you won’t look at again, or trinkets that you have collected over the years, now is a good time to go through some of it and repurpose what you can, recycle if possible, or give it to someone else who will appreciate it. As a last resort, throw it out.
Working or living in a clean space that has lots of room for air to flow and energy to pass through freely is good for both your mind and your body. Surrounding yourself with too much stuff is an invitation for dust to collect, bugs to move in, and a stagnant energy to settle. It is only after you have cleaned out a space that you will notice how much better it feels.
Action – Because this isn’t fun, make it easy. Set a timer for 20 minutes and use the time to actually get in and start putting things in piles. Standing and staring at the mess doesn’t count as part of the time. When the 20 minutes is up, put whatever you have sorted into bags or boxes and take it where it needs to go. Remove it from your space permanently; don’t just find a different corner for it to live in.
Steps – If you have a lot of stuff to work through, use the daily 20-minute timer to motivate you to work at it consistently. If you think you can tackle it all in one day, then do it. Use whatever feels right for you, but make sure you do the work and don’t find a way to procrastinate.
Figure out the best way to repurpose whatever it is you are releasing. Find a consignment store that will sell your clothes, or put them on eBay, or give them away to a shelter. Old papers should be shredded and recycled. Books can be sold or donated to a library, furniture can go on Craigslist or taken to Goodwill. Whatever it is, there is a place for it to go.
Why It Makes You Feel Better – Someone somewhere could probably use whatever you don’t need anymore. It’s a great way to donate your things to help someone else out while improving your own life.
Clutter can be a fire hazard. Dust, mold, and any bugs that live in cluttered spaces are all bad for allergies and asthma. When you see clutter, it makes you feel closed-in and like you can’t breathe. It’s also difficult to find anything so you may end up buying something you already have, so it can affect you financially too.
Living or working in a clutter-free area will make you feel more creative. People report feeling less stress after decluttering, and less embarrassment at having other people see the space.
Example – I have moved so many times in my life that I don’t get much opportunity to hold on to a lot of stuff. Each time I have had to pack, I have let some things go. I can honestly say I don’t miss any of it.
If you have been keeping things around longer that you know you should, and you aren’t using them, then do yourself a favour and let them go. Do it for your health and also to help someone else who needs it more than you.