CHOICES SHAPE YOUR FUTURE
By Judith Ashton
Most of us have many unnecessary possessions that we no longer use, and clutter bogs us down. We put off dealing with it and “I’ll get round to it” is a familiar mantra. There are now plenty of creative ways to declutter your home by simply and generously moving stuff along or by making some money in the process. Today we are all living longer and have the capacity to accumulate so much stuff.
The Swedish word “döstädning” roughly means “death cleaning”. It refers to decluttering now so that others are not left with the burden after one’s death. It’s a very sensible idea and a good lesson to learn.
It surprises me when people put things into storage instead of letting them go. Of course, storage can be necessary when moving house, but for many people it simply reflects an unwillingness or inability to make a clear decision. Ask yourself, “What stops me letting go of stuff?” “Where does the attachment come from?” If it’s sentimental value, remember, the feeling will remain long after the item has gone.
So how can we lighten our loads, make more space, revitalise our energy and hopefully make the world a better place?
I’m in several WhatsApp groups where people look for items they need or offer things they no longer want. It’s a brilliant idea and a great example of the saying, “One person’s rubbish is another person’s treasure.” One of these groups has many young families looking for children’s items and household essentials. Others are often glad to give these away for free. Everyone benefits.
Naturally, charity shops are also great places and Kilkenny has many. Cast-off clothes are increasingly valued as a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to shop. Second-hand purchases create a circular economy, are more sustainable, create less waste and are simply the right thing to do.
Not so long ago there was a stigma about wearing charity shop goods. Now it’s almost seen as a badge of good practice. I have a particular friend who, years ago, wouldn’t have been seen dead in second-hand clothes, but now everything she wears comes from one charity shop or another. She searches for good labels and good quality and has found many bargains.
Charity shops sometimes sell wedding dresses. Oxfam has a special outlet for these and it’s a wonderful way to pass on something that you will possibly never wear again.
“Vinted” is a multi-million-euro business selling pre-loved clothes. Started by two Lithuanian people in 2008, it is now Europe’s leading marketplace for second-hand fashion and pre-loved items. Its mission is to make second-hand the first choice worldwide.
Car boot sales are another way to move things on and make a bit of money. Adverts.ie and DoneDeal are great for furniture and household items.
It can be very daunting to think of decluttering every room in the house. That is not the way to go about it. “Start small”, according to Marie Kondo, the decluttering queen. Tackle one shelf or one drawer at a time and set a limit on how long you will spend at it. The idea is that even ten minutes is better than nothing.
Gradually, you get through one room at a time. The more you get rid of, the more energy and space you’ll have. By being organised and managing less stuff, you create more space and more time for enjoyment.
How do you go about it? What do you no longer need? Books, clothes, possessions, letters, photos … what else? Have a rule: if you put something in a box to go, then don’t fish it out later! Start by eliminating all the unnecessary things you own. If you haven’t used it in a long while, you don’t really like it or it brings back bad memories, out it goes! Keep only the beautiful or useful things that you love.
We all need help sometimes. Decluttering can be fun with a friend. A helper will be more ruthless, less attached and sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed.
Who could help you? When can you ask them? When can you start?
Once you get started, ask friends or family if there’s anything they want to take first. Gift precious things to special people in your life. Give away clothes or jewellery and it will give you pleasure to see them being used.
The main thing that contributes to happiness is helping others. Maybe the things you no longer need are just what they are looking for. Remember, “What goes round, comes round!” and everyone benefits.
