This is the first installment of a three-part series. In this month’s article, we will explore how to declutter our stuff that doesn’t carry significant emotional baggage attached to it.
Next month, we will focus on decluttering our thoughts tied to our stuff, enabling us to let go of things that no longer serve a purpose in our lives.
Finally, in two months, we will wrap up the series by applying these same principles to other thoughts and emotions that may keep us stuck in self-defeating behaviors.
How to Declutter Stuff
Physical and emotional clutter can drain our time, space, and finances. Clutter steals our peace, keeps us locked in the past, and negatively impacts our self-concept.
When you come across an item and can’t decide whether to keep, toss, or donate it, follow these steps to help you deal with the emotional attachments you have to your possessions.
1. Pray – Ask God to help you release the emotions tied to each object. Allow Him to guide you as you create a new attitude about your clothes, keepsakes, and yourself.
2. Take Your Time –There’s no need to rush or act in haste. Embrace your feelings as you sort through your items. Hold on to the good memories; cherish them in your mind.
3. Let Go of Painful Memories – For example, a friend kept beautiful blue beer bottles but realized that they reminded her of her alcoholic father. Likewise, items from an old boyfriend may bring back memories and remind you of unhappy times. It’s important to recognize these feelings and let go of items that cause pain.
4. Save the Memory –Take a picture, create a memory box, or use an old-fashioned cedar chest to store the treasured items. My cedar chest, for instance, holds baby clothes, my wedding dress, and mementos from my parents. I also repurposed an old family trunk as a coffee table and hung family paintings in my office.
5. Call a Friend – You don’t have to go through the process alone. Reach out to a friend or spouse for support or consider hiring a decluttering coach. I’ve helped many women declutter through phone calls, video conferences, and in-person meetings.
6. Share Your Abundance – God may have blessed you with an abundance so you can meet another person’s needs. Your excess items may be exactly what someone else has been praying for. Ask God to direct you to those who might benefit from your unused belongings.
Stuck?
Why Do We Hang on to Things
- They hold sentimental value or evoke good memories.
- They were received as gifts, leading to feelings of guilt because we didn’t like the item.
- Letting go can symbolize the loss of a dream, triggering sadness or grief.
- We may feel ashamed because we paid a lot of money for it.
- We fear we might need it someday, which reflects a lack of trust in God’s ability to meet our needs.
If you still find it hard to get rid of things you no longer use, it’s time to declutter your emotions. We’ll discuss this further next month in Part Two of Declutter Stuff and Emotions.
Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new things I am going to do ~ ISIAH 43:18-19
