As a child, I can vividly recall my mother sorting through my closet, holding up items and asking, “Keep or toss?” She’d present a faded dress-up skirt, a well-worn baseball glove, or a frayed doll. Most of the time, my answer was “toss,” with an occasional “keep.” The items I discarded found their way into a bag destined for the landfill, and I always felt a sense of relief—my space felt lighter and more open.
I’ve always been the type to easily let go of material possessions. The attachments people form with items that don’t hold significance are beyond me. That dried prom corsage, letters from a former flame, or those jeans that once fit but now remind you of a time when you were not yourself—they all take up valuable space that could be better utilized.
I won’t lie; I have thrown out things that might shock you. Let’s just say, handmade gifts from children are not safe around me. If you must gift me something, please make it a bottle of Davines conditioner—the green one is my favorite.
It’s not just the trinkets from high school or college (both my yearbooks are long gone) or those outdated photos. The beauty of decluttering is that once you eliminate these items, they cease to occupy your thoughts. My mom’s wedding photo? Sure, I know they got married; if they hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here, right?
Memories live in your mind; no physical objects are needed to remind you of past experiences. For instance, you can think about high school whenever you wish without needing a yearbook to validate those memories.
If my passion for decluttering doesn’t inspire you, consider that letting go of surplus items can be liberating, as noted in Leah Finnegan’s article “Throw Everything Out.” She poignantly states, “Most stuff is crap. And there is nothing more beautiful than an almost-empty apartment.” It’s true—excess clutter breeds more clutter. This notion aligns with Diogenes of Sinope’s wisdom, “It is the privilege of the gods to want nothing, and of godlike men to want little.”
Finnegan encourages practical steps too: “Go toss three more things.” However, for a deeper dive into the art of decluttering, check out Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. Kondo’s philosophy revolves around keeping only what “sparks joy.” Though the phrasing may seem whimsical, the concept is profound. If something doesn’t truly resonate with you, let it go! This approach allowed me to part with an orange sweater that didn’t flatter me and pink shoes that drew compliments but didn’t fit my style. Why hold onto items that evoke frustration or dissatisfaction?
As for those Keen boots I picked up at a yard sale years ago? They don’t spark joy, but the idea of not spending money on something new that I’d likely like only slightly more? Now that’s a thought that brings me a bit of joy.
If you find it difficult to part with items, or if you’re someone who thrives on decluttering, take a note from fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld: “The most important piece of furniture in a house is the garbage can! I keep no archives of my own, no sketches, no photos, no clothes—nothing! I am supposed to do, I’m not supposed to remember!”
Throwing things away can be challenging, but as Lagerfeld points out, living in the moment is far more enjoyable than holding onto the past.
For more insights on home insemination, check out our blog post on intracervical insemination. If you’re exploring the world of at-home insemination, Make A Mom offers a fantastic guide on the topic. Additionally, for those seeking further information on pregnancy and insemination, the Fertility Center at Johns Hopkins is an excellent resource.
In summary, embracing a lifestyle of minimalism can significantly enhance your well-being. By discarding unneeded items, you create space for clarity and joy in your life. So go ahead—take that leap into decluttering; it can be a truly rewarding experience.