Today we are discussing a listener’s question, “How do you let go of useful items you no longer use?” Bethany struggles with this question too so we thought we’d spend some time on it.
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We have taken a look at fears that hold us back from getting rid of items in Ep 56 Uncovering Hidden Fears. It was based on the book by Dr. Robin Zasio, The Hoarder in You. One of the traps the Dr. Robin Zasio shared in her book is, “it is useful so I should keep it” and we are driving deeper into that clutter trap today
A few thoughts to ponder we deciding whether or not to get rid of “useful” clutter :
Is it really useful, if you don’t even use it?
You might have an item that is perfectly good but you don’t use it or need it. You feel that has a lot of life left in it, so it feels wasteful to give it away.
I would argue that an item is not useful to you hidden in the back of a closet or drawer. The item would actually be more “useful” given away to someone who will actually use it.
You could also argue that it is wasteful to keep unused items when it could go to someone who would use it. Giving it away to a donation center or listing it for free, gives it a better chance to be used then having it stored away in your home.
Now you might, of course, have a legitimate reason for keeping a useful item.
Are you going to use in the future? Or do you just think you might use it in the future?
Really answer this question honestly! This item is taking up time and space in your home and most likely weighing you down. Is it worth holding on to for the small possibility you might use it in the future?
A rule we like to refer to is the 20/20 rule from the Minimalist. If you can replace an item in 20 minutes and for less than $20, you can get rid of it. You don’t need to hang onto it “just in case.”
Are you trying to find the perfect home for an item so you don’t feel wasteful?
Nobody likes to feel wasteful, but holding on to clutter is not the answer. I don’t want to be wasteful either but the time to make that choice is really as a consumer.
When an item is already in your home but you don’t want to get rid of it because you don’t want it to end up in a landfill, you are effectively choosing to have your home become the landfill instead.
If you want to limit your contributions to a landfill, be conscious about what you buy, not about what you clean out of your house!
As Dr. Robin Zasio says, “You are not responsible for making use of everything that crosses your path.”
And if you are curious, here is a picture of The Wonder Sound exhibit at The New Children’s Museum in San Diego. It is a little hard to tell in this photo but those are spoons hanging from the ceiling.
Links mentioned
Now It’s YOUR TURN!
How do you decide whether or not to keep “useful” items? Does fear of being wasteful hold you back from decluttering?
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Take the pens to the school office or teacher lounge. Or the doctors office or a restaurant. People always walk off with pens in these places!
That is a great idea Liz, Thank you!