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Why You Should Consider Decluttering Your Life
When I was younger, my mom would stand in front of my closet with a trash bag, asking me, “Keep or toss?” while holding up items like an old dress, a baseball glove, or a faded doll. Most of the time, I’d say “no,” and occasionally “yes.” Those “no” items went straight into the bag, destined for the dump. Once it was done, I’d feel this wonderful sense of freshness in my room.
I’ve always been the type who doesn’t get attached to stuff. Seriously, why hold onto things you don’t truly love or use? That dried corsage from prom, letters from an ex, or those pants that fit once when you were on some crazy medication—honestly, they just take up space that could be used for—well, breathing!
I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve tossed a lot of things. You might think I’m terrible, but here’s a tip: don’t let your kids give me handmade gifts. If you must offer something, make it Davines conditioner—the green one, please.
The real deal isn’t just about ditching your high school yearbook (both of mine are at the dump), or all your photos (90 percent of mine are gone too), or those sundresses that turned out to be a fashion faux pas. The beauty of decluttering is that once you let go of these items, you truly stop thinking about them. My mom’s wedding photo? I already know they got married; if they hadn’t, I wouldn’t even exist to be tossing out this stuff!
Here’s a fun fact: you have memories that you can access anytime you want. You don’t need to flip through a yearbook to remember the awkwardness of high school.
If my personal journey towards minimalism isn’t enough to inspire you, there’s a lot of great material out there. For beginners, Leah Finnegan’s aptly titled “Throw Everything Out” is a great read. She boldly states, “Most stuff is crap,” and describes the beauty of an almost-empty apartment. She even says, “Crap breeds more crap.” It’s all about enjoying the simplicity.
Marie Kondo’s approach from her book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” is also worth checking out. Her key takeaway? Get rid of anything that doesn’t “spark joy.” Sure, I find that wording a bit whimsical, but the essence is spot on: if you don’t love it, toss it! This mindset helped me clear out items like an orange cashmere sweater I once liked but now feels unflattering, or pink shoes that got compliments but don’t resonate with me anymore. Why keep a chipped bowl that annoys me? It’s time to say goodbye!
Maybe those Keen boots I bought at a yard sale don’t exactly spark joy, but the thought of not spending money on another pair that I might not love? That gives me a tiny thrill. So, why not give decluttering a shot?
And if you’re struggling to let go of things, consider this quote 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!”
I get it—it’s not always easy to part with things. But remember, living in the moment and creating new experiences is far more fulfilling than holding onto memories.
In summary, decluttering can free up space both physically and mentally. It allows you to focus on what truly matters and lets go of the unnecessary baggage. So go ahead, give it a try—your future self will thank you!