How do you let go of an item?

[Anonymous]

doodlebug wrote:
I think of myself when I was young and broke and how happy I would have been to find a nearly new set of sheets (or dress I can wear to an interview or work, or houseware item I needed etc) at Goodwill for a price I could afford. I would have been ecstatic (like when I found a cute red swing coat by Ann Taylor for $5 when I was broke and needed a coat.) Just think about the joy you'll bring someone else who can't afford what you have.

Thank you, doodlebug.

Perspective is everything.

--OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This sounds totally hokey and ridiculous, I know - but I used to have this problem until I started thanking each item as I let it go. Literally taking a moment to appreciate the item and then thinking/saying "thank you for your service" when I put something in the donate pile.

I got this idea from KonMari - I think the exact line in the book is something like "not every item was meant to stay with you forever, and that's okay. Thank each item for its presence in your life and let it go." I think the idea is that when something/someone leaves your life, you say goodbye - and there's no reason to skip this step when culling possessions. For some reason, thinking about it this way gave me the sense of closure I needed to give nice things away. Haven't had a problem since.

That said, I promise I'm not a new-age devotee or anything like that! Just someone who gets attached to things

Instead of that feeling of being overwhelmed, I took a breath before opening my closet. Then, I gathered a bunch of dresses (short, low-cut, clingy, decidedly pre-baby) and thanked them for making me feel amazing way back when.

It works. So, thank you, hippie poster.

--OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is a rug "too good for a rental" but good enough to collect dust under your bed?

BOOM! I'm a nut. Can't argue with that. I'm still stuck in terms of what to do with them, but, man, you make a good point.

Thank you, straight shooter.

--OP

[Anonymous]

Imagine how good it will feel for someone to use your good rugs in her first apartment. Or the place she gets after she leaves her abusive husband. Or the home they buy to raise their children in. Then donate them to the appropriate charity.

[Anonymous]

I am the opposite of this....and hate clutter...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the opposite of this....and hate clutter...

+1

I can't imagine being trapped by your possessions like this.

[Anonymous]

Probably too radical a step for you, but moving is an amazing motivator to cull one's possessions down to the essentials. We're in the middle of a move, and I purged a lot, but as the truck was loaded I saw more that could go. Hopefully I'll get rid of more stuff as we unpack.

I understand the urge to keep things, I really do. Marrying a military guy has forced me to overcome that feeling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:KonMari.

She's a bit wacko but can help you get to that place mentally where you can freely get rid of stuff and feel good about it.

+1. Her philosophy is that everything you own should give you joy. If those sheets aren't giving you joy, then give them to charity. She (Marie Kondo, you can get her book on Amazon) is definitely extreme--I can see myself folding my tshirts the way she suggests, for one thing. But her book really does make you want to get rid of your stuff,

[Anonymous]

^^^can't. I can't see myself folding my shirts....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you feel joy, then keep them.

If there's some reason to get over the item, think of what the item has taught you. If it taught you something, take a mental note then toss, sell, or donate the item. Maybe it taught you that you dislike a certain color of jewelry, maybe it taught you the sheet material just isn't comfy to you. Maybe the item like the rugs served you for a period of your life but you can't see it fitting your life in he future.

I find when I have the most guilt, I try to sell the item. We made $500 from online sales and a small garage sale. T felt so good and I don't miss anything. Also I hate to admit I kept the stuff that didn't sell. Abd I haven't unpacked it in a year. I'm in the process of getting rid of that stuff.

Wow! Where'd you sell online? I don't ever expect to make near what I paid, but the offers people make at garage sales are... very, very low. And unlike it sounds is OP's life, I am still in the phase where money is a huge deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Donate them OP. Give them to a shelter and know they're going to someone who really needs them. That helps.

I was going to say, give them to someone you know so you will be happy about the items' new home. Donating would count too.

[Anonymous]

doodlebug wrote:
I think of myself when I was young and broke and how happy I would have been to find a nearly new set of sheets (or dress I can wear to an interview or work, or houseware item I needed etc) at Goodwill for a price I could afford. I would have been ecstatic (like when I found a cute red swing coat by Ann Taylor for $5 when I was broke and needed a coat.) Just think about the joy you'll bring someone else who can't afford what you have.

This, this and this again. Well out PP

[Anonymous]

*put not out. Sorry

[Anonymous]

Free cycle.