When I was young, my mother would often stand in front of my closet with a garbage bag in hand, asking, “Keep or toss?” She would hold up various items: an outdated dress-up skirt, a worn-out softball glove, or a faded doll. Most of the time, my answer was “toss.” Occasionally, I would say “keep.” The rejected items would disappear into the bag, often never to be thought of again. Afterward, I would relish the fresh, open feeling of my room.
I’ve always been the type who finds it easy to part with belongings. I struggle to comprehend the attachment to items that fail to bring joy or serve a purpose. Your dried prom corsage, old letters from a past relationship, or that pair of pants you once fit into during an era when a doctor prescribed you weight-loss medication—what are they really doing for you? They occupy space that could be utilized for something more valuable—like fresh air!
I’ll admit it: I’m not shy about tossing things out. In fact, I hesitate to share what I’ve discarded, fearing you might judge me harshly. As a tip, if you’re considering giving me handmade gifts, maybe think twice. If you must offer something, I’d prefer Davines conditioner—the green one.
The reality is, it’s not only about letting go of your high school yearbook (both of mine are in the local landfill) or those photos you never look at (90% of mine are gone too). Once you part with these items, they cease to occupy your thoughts altogether. My mother’s wedding photo? I know my parents got married; if they hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here, contemplating all the clutter I need to eliminate.
Memories exist independently of physical objects. Whenever I want to reflect on my high school days, I don’t need to flip through a book showcasing my awkward hairstyles and the peers who teased me.
If my personal philosophy on decluttering hasn’t convinced you, consider that enjoying the process of letting go is liberating. Leah Finnegan’s aptly titled piece, Throw Everything Out, encapsulates this sentiment beautifully: “[M]ost stuff is crap. And there is nothing more beautiful than an almost-empty apartment…Crap breeds more crap.” There’s wisdom in the words of Diogenes of Sinope, who said, “It is the privilege of the gods to want nothing, and of godlike men to want little.”
Finnegan also encourages readers to discard three more items, but her message serves more as inspiration than a step-by-step guide. For practical advice on serious decluttering, the New York Times featured Marie Kondo, a professional organizer known for her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.
Kondo’s pivotal principle is to keep only those items that “spark joy.” While I find the phrase a bit too whimsical for my taste, the core idea resonates: If an item doesn’t bring you happiness, it’s time to let it go. This realization allowed me to part with that orange cashmere sweater that makes me feel frumpy, or the pink shoes that receive compliments but don’t resonate with me. Why keep a chipped bowl that annoys me? It was once beautiful, but it’s time to say goodbye.
Even those Keen boots I picked up at a yard sale five years ago? They don’t exactly spark joy. But the thought of not spending more money on a pair that I might dislike even more? That gives me a hint of joy.
If you find it difficult to part with items, take inspiration from the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who said, “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 tough, but as Lagerfeld suggests, embracing action is far more enjoyable than clinging to memories.
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In summary, decluttering not only creates a more spacious environment but also liberates your mind from the weight of unnecessary belongings. Embrace the freedom that comes from letting go and discover the joy of living with less.