Select Page

And how to let go.

A clutter-free space offers so many proven benefits, like physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 

After embracing a minimalist lifestyle for the last 10 years, I’ve been using my skills and wisdom to work as a professional home organizer. I’ve noticed many clients resist letting go and have varying attachments to their items. Keeping items out of guilt can get in the way of enjoying a joyful, peaceful, and more aligned home. 

First, you’re decluttering and organizing your home for good reasons. The clutter in your space increases stress, especially for women, according to Sage Journals research. When you focus on your decluttering journey, it helps to remember why you started. Also, noticing how you feel during and after your process can increase motivation. Most people quickly feel lighter as they let go, like “a weight is being lifted off of them.” 

I often remind clients that feeling guilty is not a good reason to keep items. That negative feeling lingers in your physical, mental, and emotional space. Excess clutter damages your well-being. Clutter can directly decrease quality of sleep, relationship health, productivity, parenting skills, and quality of life, to name a few things. 

Creating more harmony, ease, and spaciousness in your home is a beautiful, tactile, and rewarding way to feel better and more fulfilled each day. I want that for you. So, let’s dive in. 

***

1. Navigating sentimental value

Emotionally-weighted items may be the most difficult to release, depending on who you are. Maybe you received a gift from someone you love, own items that belonged to someone who died, or keep rare, irreplaceable objects. 

Letting go can be really hard. Here are some ways to move forward. 

First, you deserve a spacious home that supports who you are right now. And, you don’t have to tiptoe around other’s feelings in your own home. You get to create a space that serves you.  

Gifts are a great example of the emotional attachment we have towards items. People tell me stories about who gave them something, maybe an ex-partner, a family member, or an old friend. The object seems to capture a moment in time or an interesting memory. 

If it no longer serves you, taking a photo of the item is a simple option. Digital photos take up way less space and create more ease in the letting-go process. Consider making a digital memory box if you don’t have one. 

If the gift giver is still in your life, it may be worth having a conversation about the types of gifts you do and don’t want to receive. Though it may feel challenging, you’ll both benefit from that clarity. You could ask for clutter-free gifts. Or, you could share specific ideas about the things you do want in your life. Maybe, you even ask the person to include a gift receipt. 

Navigating the death of a loved one may be especially challenging. It’s always okay to use a “pending box” if you’re feeling stuck. I like to mark the date so I know how long it’s been out of use. Consider that your feelings are more connected to the person rather than the object. If the object isn’t bringing joy in one way or another, pass it along thoughtfully

For rare items, all of the above suggestions work too. Really, if an item doesn’t fit who you are now and doesn’t support who you are becoming, it’s not adding value. Clutter weighs you down. So, do something kind for yourself (and everyone else) and release what no longer serves you. 

***

2. Releasing expensive items

Sometimes, we feel guilty or frustrated with ourselves for having spent money on items we didn’t end up using or liking as much as we had hoped. I sense that tangible heaviness around pricey clothes that just don’t fit or feel right for whatever reason. 

I’ve definitely felt that way. Sometimes, if the item is in good condition, you can resell it at a decent price. That’s one of the many benefits of bringing more intention to what you own. Your items don’t waste away in storage. Instead, you catch what isn’t being used sooner and can more easily resell it.

I had that experience with a weighted keyboard setup and an acoustic guitar. After a few years of songwriting, I fell in love with the ukulele. Gradually, the other instruments in my space felt heavy. I felt guilty that I wasn’t playing them more often. When the guilt outweighed potential joy, I decided to pass them forward and made more than half of what I spent in return.

Additionally, both times the passing along felt really lovely. I got to play a sweet role in someone else’s musical journey. I experienced an interesting connection, and rather than gathering dust in my home (or guilt), the instruments brought joy and value to someone else.  

As you’re decluttering, consider that guilt over expensive purchases is simply energy, and you can use that energy to motivate new behaviors and habits. 

Maybe, those feelings inspire you to bring more mindfulness to your shopping habits. Since every item takes up space, raise your standards for what you bring into your home. 

Also, once you realize how many items you need for each category, you can use the “one in, one out” rule. If you already own 10 dresses and are considering a new dress purchase, think about your least favorite dress and maybe pass that one along. 

***

3. Letting go of future worries

At its core, decluttering is often about trust: trusting in your resourcefulness rather than your clutter for security, trusting you’ll have what you need for an unknown future, or trusting in a higher power that life is in your favor.

More practically, when you pass your unwanted, unused, or less joyful items back into the Universe, someone else can use and enjoy them. I’ve witnessed many, many times when I put items out for free, someone smiles as they decide to welcome that possession into their life. 

As you go deeper into your decluttering journey, you’ll get more creative and prioritize versatile and high-quality items. For example, Marie Kondo talks about throwing out a hammer she didn’t love and using a pan to get nails into the wall instead. She also used headphones on high volume to replace a speaker she didn’t love. 

***

Remember, all the items in your home take up some amount of your energy, especially if you have unresolved thoughts or feelings about them. When you release those items, it’s like some unresolved puzzle in the back of your mind gets resolved. 

Simplifying your items gives you more energy. Years ago, I read Joshua Becker’s writing; he talked about all the garage upkeep work he used to do on weekends. Rather than rest, Saturdays were a personal work day. Since reducing his items, he gained a full day back with space for play and connection. 

If you still feel guilty about items you acquired or spent too much on, I hope you feel motivated to reduce unnecessary ownership and increase your energy by letting go. Trust that it’s safe to let go.  

***

If you need some professional support to get things rolling, I’d love to connect! I offer in-person home organizing and decluttering sessions to clients in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you’d like to chat more about your project needs and how my services might help, go ahead and book your free intro call. I’d love to hear from you. 

Photo Credit: Unsplash, Ayla Verschueren