Over the past year, I’ve been tasked with the unenviable job of clearing out my childhood home. For anyone visiting, it looked absolutely lovely and was neat as a pin. Unfortunately, as I began to methodically go through drawers, cupboards, and closets, I realized it was packed with a lifetime of debris. Some was valuable. Some was sentimental. And, some was just… surprising. (5 coffee makers, really? Tax documents dating back to 1981?) The process hasn’t exactly just been an exercise in decluttering – it’s been something more of an archaeological excavation.
While mine has been an extreme situation (mom was in the house for more than 60 years, after all), many of us find ourselves living in homes filled with years (and years!) of accumulated memories. Decluttering can be a way to streamline your life and embrace new opportunities without the burden of so much “stuff.” If you’re ready for a more organized life, here’s what you need to know to make the process go as smoothly as possible.
Decluttering Basics
Before making any drastic changes, it’s important to take time to evaluate what you truly need, want, and use. By identifying your priorities, it will be easier to make decisions about what to keep and what to let go of.
Then, discard any obvious trash. This includes tax info older than seven years, bank statements, old mail, magazines, circulars, etc. For anything even potentially sensitive, shred it. (Most counties offer free shredding days as part of their recycling efforts – so check your county website.)
Now, sort everything. Go through room by room and categorize items into four groups: keep, donate, sell, or discard. And, ask yourself the tough questions… Have I used or worn this item in the past year? The past three? Does it hold some sentimental value? What’s the worst thing that could happen if I get rid of this item?
Next, find your faves. Most people do not use all of their possessions regularly. (How many black sweaters do you have? Do you gravitate to two or three regularly and leave the rest neatly folded?) Focus on keeping your favorites and let go of the rest!
Don’t forget you can digitize it! It’s easy to convert important paperwork, photos, and other documents into digital files, which will free up space.
Pay attention to your rationales for keeping items such as “I might need that,” “I should finish that project,” “I might fit into it one day,” and “I could use that if…” For example, do you think of yourself as a mountain biking enthusiast, but haven’t hit the trails in years? Maybe it’s time someone else enjoyed those bikes. Are you now a grandparent, but still hanging on to your children’s old toys and mementos? Your kids may delight in sharing these things with their own children. Do you have a cupboard full of canning supplies that are gathering dust? Share them with someone who will make delicious jams and jellies (they might even make you a jar or two!).
When it’s Time, Here’s Where to Donate Items
Donating unneeded items not only helps you clear space, but also benefits others. By donating, your items are repurposed rather than ending up in landfills, all while giving back to your community. Here are some great places to donate your gently used belongings:
Goodwill – Accepts clothing, furniture, electronics, and household goods. Donations help support job training programs. Find your local Goodwill here.
Salvation Army – Accepts clothing, furniture, and household goods. Proceeds from sales fund programs for those in need. Find your local Salvation Army here.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores – Accepts furniture (no bed or oversized pieces), appliances, building materials, and home accessories to support affordable housing projects. Find your local ReStore here.
Local Homeless Shelters and Charities – Varies by region. Many organizations accept clothing, toiletries, and bedding for those in need.
Libraries and Schools – You can donate books, office supplies, and art materials to local libraries, schools, or after-school programs. (Always check first before arriving with a truckload of supplies, not all locations want or need certain items.)
Animal Shelters – A great way to reuse old blankets, towels, and (some) pet supplies!
Selling Unneeded Items
If you have items of value that you no longer need, selling them can be a great way to earn some extra cash. Online marketplaces such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Poshmark provide convenient platforms for selling furniture, electronics, clothing, and more.
No time for listing and shipping? Local consignment shops are another excellent option, particularly for high-quality clothing, furniture, and home goods.
If you have multiple items to sell at once, you can host a garage or estate sale. Piggybacking on a community garage sale will increase traffic, as will free garage sale promotion sites. (Click here for a list of Top 10 Places to Advertise Your Garage Sale.)
Is it Time to Call in the Professionals?
For my situation, calling in professional help was absolutely essential for my sanity. While I was able to evaluate, toss, or donate an entire 4-bedroom house of smaller items, the sheer volume of large furniture meant I needed a hand getting it all to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. I used the services of College Hunks Hauling Junk and can recommend them as professional, courteous, affordable, and fast. Other national services such as 1-800-GOT-JUNK are an option, as well as local movers for bulk pick-up.
If decluttering is part of your overall goal to simply get more organized rather than move, you may want to employ the use of a professional organizer. Working with a professional is about much more than picking our cute acrylic storage bins and space saving velvet hangars. According to the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), a professional can, “help you achieve your short-term goals and provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary for long-term success. They can offer you judgement-free assistance by breaking down overwhelming tasks, managing your time, decluttering your living and work spaces, and putting systems in place to help you be more productive and eliminate distractions.”
Embracing a New Chapter of Your Life… Clutterfree!
Decluttering isn’t just about letting things go, it’s about moving forward in life without the weight of too many unneeded possessions weighing you down. By reducing clutter, simplifying, and focusing on what truly matters, you can create a home (and life!) that better reflects you.
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Since 2009, Susan Said… WHAT?! has been your guide to real style for the way you live, from fabulous fashion and accessories, to gorgeous gardens and stunning interiors, plus the latest products and tips for throwing parties, weddings, and events of all kinds. Susan Conforte McNeill is an author, entrepreneur and the co-founder of the literacy organization Success Won’t Wait!
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