Decluttering is a smart activity that serves us by keeping life simplified and organized. There are items or clothes we have bought that we no longer use that take up space. When things accumulate in drawers and cabinets, what we are looking for is not easily seen. As we are searching for something in the same places again and again, and not finding what we need, that’s stressful! Having things residing on our counter, table, desks is like we’re looking at something that needs to be done. So why do we let things accumulate and collect dust?
Decluttering can stir up emotions that can slow or derail the progress. We can get mired in anxiety or overwhelm. We have intentions to gear up and take care of it later, but it needs to be scheduled. We may find while decluttering we start defaulting to, “I might need this someday,” or pause attaching sentimental value and lose the momentum and ambition to purge what is not needed. Here are some tips to make it manageable, rewarding, and even fun!
Preparation
Start by designating a charity’s local thrift store you want to donate to, that can be motivating keeping in mind people who need support, and may be a tax deduction if you itemize. Some in the Valley of the Sun include:
St. Vincent de Paul offers services from rent & utility bill assistance, food boxes and meals, clothing, vocational assistance, medical and dental services, medical equipment, and shelter. BONUS: You can schedule them to pick-up your items.
Flerish Thrift & Gift: employs the disabled and supports that population.
Thrift to Thrive: helps the Assistance League of Phoenix serve at risk families and young adults who have aged out of foster care (they sell special items online!).
Maggie’s Place: Thrift store donations help their mission of providing housing and life skill support for single pregnant women and their children.
White Dove Thrift Stores: gives to Hospice of the Valley’s support programs which include help for those with dementia, caregiver support, adult day care, grief and bereavement support, Veteran support.
Boys and Girls Club of America: Greater Scottsdale Thrift store provides after school and school break programming for academic skills, health & wellness, leadership, crafts, team sports, workforce readiness, and money management.
If you have a national charity you would like to support, consider enlisting friends/neighbors who would help you set it up and do a “garage sale” for the cause.
If you are wanting to tackle one closet, one room, at a time, or have fewer items because you regularly declutter, consider your local Buy Nothing Project where you post an item to give, and find someone who will come pick it up and treasure it!
Tip: If you know letting go of things is difficult to you, enlist a friend to assist you. If you have accumulated a lot and don’t have a place for things, consider hiring a specialist who will help you develop a system that fits your needs.
You may want to buy some drawer dividers, baskets, clear plastic or wire bins to help organize.
Mindset
When we die, we can’t take it with us. It’s a gift to get rid of clutter so someone else doesn’t have to do it for us. Fear can put us in scarcity mode, making letting go difficult. Empower yourself by being thankful for all you have and believe you can continue to find the resources to obtain what you need again. It is freeing to give what you do not need to those who do. Be asking yourself:
Tip: At the beginning of the year, put all hangers with clothes “backwards.” As you use the item, hang it back normally. Next year you can easily see what you haven’t worn.
Action
Be realistic on how much to take on at one time. You want it to be a positive experience of success. Start with a closet, the bathroom, the junk drawer, a room, the refrigerator, pantry a portion of the garage…. Start with a before photo—you may want to post it for accountability. Set a timer for 15 minutes, put on instrumental music (hearing sung words interferes with focus). If the timer goes off and you are on a roll, reset it. Take an after photo to inspire others!
Set the stage. Designate areas: to toss (with a large waste barrel), recycle, gift to family/friend, donate, relocate, repurpose, and sentimental items to photograph and give away. When the area is done, or time is up, make a list of what you are giving away if you itemize deductions.
Tip: For some areas, like a medicine cabinet, junk drawer, the refrigerator etc. it is best to take everything out of it and edit what you don’t need, what is expired, etc. and give the space a good clean and then strategically place things that are most used to be easily accessible.
Reward
If you finished your goal, or if you find yourself slowing down, or not being as decisive on what is not needed, stop for now. Switch to transferring the various discard piles to where they are going. Tell yourself how good a job you did, take time to journal the experience, and do an activity that you enjoy as a reward! Plan what is next and when you will do it, and how good it will feel to have that done. As you get rid of what you do not need, it will be easier to find what you’re looking for, keep the pantry stocked with essentials, and have less things to clean!
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