It used to be hard for me to let things go especially if I felt it held sentimental value. But now, I have no problem letting go of things that are no longer useful to my current lifestyle. I literally kiss my old things goodbye—I mean literally. I kiss it to acknowledge it for serving me for a period of time in my life, then I let it go. This is how I prevent things from pilling up in my life over time.
For example, I was throwing away a shirt I bought during my very first “business casual attire” shopping haul back in college. It was my first time in a professional setting, and so it was a big deal for me. I remember wearing that shirt though some very good times. But now post-college, my style has changed. And the truth of the matter is, certain clothes no longer serve me the way it once did, even if it held memories for me. I kissed it for being a part of my life during that season of my life then I donated it.
I could have forcefully stuffed that shirt into a plastic bag and give it to Goodwill without a second thought. But these are perfect opportunities to connect with my past. I believe connecting with your past and present is important to having a solid identity and having a sense of yourself. Releasing the things that no longer serve you also allows you to move forward into a new phase of your life.
Does sitting with my things and reflecting with it make me weird? Maybe. But I think if we became more intentional and routine about letting things go, the result would be a more organized home filled with more things that we love and less things that no longer have purpose for us.
Heart and Home Management
Because I have a practice for managing clutter, I have more of an understanding of what is in my home at any given moment and where everything is. Some things I don’t throw away right away as I make up my mind of whether or not I still need it or want it. Other things are more obvious that I do not need it anymore. If I haven’t used it in over 12 months, that’s a good sign that it may just be taking up space now. Hmm. Am I a minimalist? Either way, it is good to make sure our home, as well as our hearts and mind, have proper room to flourish.
Time to Move
Moving could mean physically transferring to another home, or it could mean pivoting in life based on circumstances. It is so much easier to move when God tells us to if we have been decluttering (our hearts, mind, and home) the whole time. It was a breeze to move out when it was time to move-in with my husband. Ok I’m lying—moving is never a breeze. But it was more manageable than if I had not been living an intentional life before.
A De-Cluttering Lifestyle
A de-cluttering lifestyle looks like this: As you come across things you no longer use put them by the door or in a designated ‘Giveaway’ Bag. Do not wait, or delay. You dont have to search for anything or make it a big project, but as you find something, you assess it, and make a decision.
One morning, when I was looking for shoes for my stepdaughter to wear, I literally threw a pair of shoes that were too small out the room door and into the hallway. I don’t typically go through all of her shoes at once.
Right now, me and my family are rushing to get to church on time, but that’s one less pair of shoes I have to go through next time. I pick up the shoes from out the hallway (eventually) and move it to a corner near the front door where we keep things that will go to the thrift store (eventually). Purge as you go or make it a weekend goal every once in awhile.
I obviously don’t kiss her shoes goodbye but if something holds high value for me personally, I acknowledge it, reflect, and kiss it bye bye. I can only think of a few items I have done this so far, but each time has been a special moment of connecting with myself and being grateful to God for the different seasons I have lived through. Most things are easy to get rid of—like those cheap bath towels you bought that are now unraveling at the seems. Other times, it’s harder to part with an item.
Conclusion
It’s crazy how fast things can pile up. Our homes don’t need to be perfect but we can make it better along the way. I have learned a big lesson lately—it’s easier to maintain a clean house, than to clean up big messes that become overwhelming. This applies to any area of our life.
What things are making you happy and what aren’t? What’s being used and what’s not? What do you have too much of and it could be downsized? Like your makeup drawer—do you plan on using that blue eyeshadow ever again? Think back on the night you did use it, smile about it, and kiss it good-bye.