How I traded clutter for clarity, one bag at a time
When I was younger, I was a collector of things. Trinkets, CDs, monkeys, DVDs, purses, books upon books upon books.
In addition to being a collector, I had a hard time letting go. What if I needed that CD again — the one I hadn’t listened to in ten years? What if something had sentimental value I’d only remember after I threw it away? I might have a use for this. I might have a use for that.
So my collections grew.
Now that I’m older, I’ve realized it isn’t stuff that makes me happy. I rarely shop anymore unless it’s for something I need. And more importantly, I’m learning to let go.
When Jerry and I moved into our house in 2014, all my things came with me. It was a slow move — a few boxes here and there from my parents’ house — and most of them landed in the basement storage room. And there they sat. My mindset hadn’t shifted yet, and it’s a shame; the move would have taken far less time and energy if it had.
Motherhood changed that. Becoming a mom flips switches in your brain you didn’t know you had. Priorities reorder themselves. Things that mattered before lose their shine, and things you’d never noticed suddenly become essential. Something in me loosened. I realized I didn’t need to hang on to things that weren’t making me happy or serving a purpose. And so, the purging began.
Two months ago, I donated two big garbage bags of clothes, a box of kitchenware, and a box of books to Goodwill. I felt a huge weight lift. But I knew I could do more.
Today, I donated five more bags of clothes and three boxes of books, CDs, and random items I’d never really needed. Even more weight was lifted.
In addition to the mountains of donations, I’ve been tossing junk left and right. My load feels lighter — physically and mentally.
The funny thing is, after unloading seven bags of clothes, I’ve never felt like I had more to wear. My closet and dresser (now down to just one) had been stuffed with clothes I never wore: old, unflattering, uncomfortable. I’d dig through piles to find the one thing I actually liked. Now, every piece I own is something I wear, like, and feel good in. I open a drawer and know I can pick anything without regret.
I’m not a minimalist — not yet, anyway — and I still have work to do. But now, instead of dread or anxiety when I part with something, I feel happiness and relief.
Recently, I started reading The More of Less by Joshua Becker. In the first few pages, I learned something important: you don’t have to get rid of everything. Keep what makes you happy. Let go of what doesn’t. That simple truth gave me peace about the books and decorations I still love and want around me. It’s the joyless stuff that needs to go.
I’m learning I don’t need to keep what I don’t use or love. Having less truly feels like having more. When you surround yourself only with things that matter — the things you use, the things that make you happy — your life feels richer, fuller, and lighter all at once.
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