How to Let Go of Items that No Longer Serve You
When you set the goal of organizing, my advice to you is simply to start, and start small. Rather than thinking of the spaces you want to organize in a grand, collective lens, consider the small projects that lie ahead and start there. When you picture a job in its entirety, it is common to feel overwhelmed or that you do not know where to begin.
With this, what I will say to you, and to all of my clients, is to ask yourself, “What is one small thing I can do right now that doesn’t feel overwhelming?” and start with this space.
Small spaces that can be good areas to start organizing your home include a junk drawer - or as we call it, a joy drawer - cabinets, your laundry room, a linen closet, or a mudroom.
As you move from space to space, and are looking to declutter and let go of items that no longer serve you, consider:
“Do I use this? How often? Is there a better home for it?”
While you are starting with the smaller spaces in your home, feel proud of yourself for starting your organizing journey. Starting is truly the most difficult part of the process. Remember that most big victories are made out of a collection of small ones. This is not to say that your organizing journey will be easy once you get started. Things often get worse before they get better. It can feel chaotic, overwhelming, and discouraging. With this said, however, I can assure you that it is so exhilarating to experience your own organizing wins. It truly is all about the smaller, yet so satisfying, successes. Organizing your home, and making space for the things that support the life you want to lead, is doable, and so worth it.
As you move from space to space, you will have difficult moments. It can feel nearly impossible to get rid of items based on the physical and emotional space that they take up for us. We are sentimental and nostalgic beings, and place meaning onto the things that we collect.
One helpful thing to ask yourself when working to let go of belongings is:
“What is it that I am really trying to keep?”
The answer, you will find, lies beyond the physical object. What you are really looking for within these objects is intentionality, or ways to honor and hold onto memories and loved ones. While physical things can make us feel close to memories, it is remembering, tradition, and intentionality that keeps these aspects of our lives close to our hearts.
Within each space that you are organizing, be reflective and confrontational with yourself. Have a conversation about objects that you feel attached to. Helpful questions to consider may be:
Are there any other feelings wrapped up in this object besides joy and affection? If feelings of shame, regret, or disappointment emerge, the item could be holding you in the past. Look a little closer.
Will it be stored or will you use or display it? If the former, strongly consider giving it away to someone who would enjoy it, or donating it to charity.
Are there other objects in your possession that serve the same emotional purpose but take up less physical space? Consider focusing on those and letting the bigger objects go.
Plan for the space you have today. If sentimental items are taking up needed space, capture the feelings they offer through photographs or writing, and narrow down items to your true favorites.
Another important thing to remind yourself on your journey is that progress takes precedence over perfection. You may have a magazine worthy, picture perfect image of what you want your home to look like. You may compare yourself to those around you, and how their homes function and what their spaces look like. These spaces, though, are functional to these individuals. They mirror their daily routines and lifestyles, and support the lives that they lead. Your space, just as their spaces reflect their lives, will be completely unique to you. Your space will support your individual needs and lifestyle, and will function to serve you. There is no singular correct way to organize your space. What matters most is that it functions for you, and to support you. Set up your home in a way that makes you feel grounded in the present, rather than anticipating the future.
Need more advice on the process of purging and letting go of things? Be sure to grab a copy of Life in Jeneral and sign up for the LIJ Book Club. You’ll gain access to a free workbook, which features exercises dedicated to letting go of the things that no longer serve the life you want to create, the process of purging, and of course, getting organized from the inside out. If you’re not already, follow along with the book club on our Instagram, too! There will be lots of great information, support, giveaways, and more.
Remember, you already have within you what you are made of, and your self worth is not attributed to your things. You, your purpose, and what you have been created to do is enough to create joy and give joy to the world—no extra stuff is required.