“But I might use it one day.”
“But mom wanted me to have it.”
“But he gave it to me and might notice if I give it away.”
“But the kids might need it when they move out.”
There are endless reasons why people hold onto things they don’t really want and definitely don’t need, and guilt is a major factor. When you hold onto things out of guilt, you hold onto the guilt itself and get a daily mini-dose of negative thoughts whenever you notice the item. Every time you pass the antique china set your great-aunt left to you and you promise yourself and her memory that you’ll use it one day. But you don’t. And likely won’t. You feel a little guilty. A little sad. Every time you keep something inherited that you don’t really want or need you are essentially storing it for the next generation to need to face the guilt you’re avoiding. But you aren’t using it. And someone else might.
Every time you keep something inherited that you don’t really want or need you are essentially storing it for the next generation to need to face the guilt you’re avoiding.
There are many methods popular today to help you de-clutter, simplify your life, and let got of belongings that are holding you down (and hopefully not buy more useless stuff to replace it). Through the KonMari method, Marie Kondo’s mantra is to keep, and subsequently only purchase, items that “spark joy”. Gretchen Rubin focuses on making space for happiness in Outer Order, Inner Calm. And for those who need help focusing on what clutter really exists in their home, there’s The Simplicity Habit. True to it’s name, the list of “Things that make your home look cluttered” is a simple checklist that helps you focus on the areas of your home that may become invisible to you in the hustle of daily life.
And then for those who like their tidying organized into a schedule, there’s the Neat Method with a calendar for what small task you can focus on each day of the month. This is especially useful for those who want to take baby steps and not dump all of their clothes or sentimental items on their bed to sort through.
But back to the guilt. If guilt has been a major factor in why you won’t let go of something, you could always turn it into the very compelling reason why you should. Everything you own, someone else could use. The extra toaster, the stack of unused towels under the bed, even the vacuum bags that no longer fit your new vacuum but for some reason you seem unable to part with the unopened bag. Someone else needs these things and your guilt needs a break.
Do Better. Be Better. 