I support people as they declutter their spaces, so it might surprise you to hear that I believe there are plenty of good reasons to hold onto your things. You may foresee a way to reuse or reinvent something, or it may have important sentimental value.
But I often find that people hold onto belongings that no longer serve them, cluttering up their rooms and overwhelming their nervous systems with too much visual input.
Some feel attached to their belongings, or worry that they may need them in the future while others might feel guilty about the environmental impact of letting items go.
Even when we purchase thoughtfully, our needs change. If a belonging no longer has value to you – either you’re not using it, or it’s no longer needed – it’s time to consider letting it go.
Releasing items doesn’t have to mean choosing between your desire for more space and your values. It’s possible to have your useful things benefit others and enjoy some peace of mind.
Pass it on locally
There are online forums where you can post your items for free pick up – think Facebook marketplace, online freecycle groups or Craigslist – but also check in with your neighbors and local community.
Have perfectly good kids clothing, toys, sports equipment or bikes? Check with others in your neighborhood or at schools to pass things down to younger kids.
One friend of ours passed on a bicycle to us that had already been the right fit for her 2 young ones, and then when my 2 had outgrown it, it went to a younger child down the street. We’ve passed on winter coats, scooters, and furniture to our neighbors.
Think of your favorite teachers. Many pay out of pocket for items you may be looking to let go of. Books, board games, toys, athletic equipment, costumes, Legos, art and office supplies, gently used backpacks, and other educational materials can be given to teachers who put those items to very good use.
Sometimes teachers need things you might not expect. My local middle school STEM teacher is often looking for small appliances that no longer work for her students to take apart and examine. I just asked around for fabric donations for a quilting project I volunteered to teach 8th graders, and our local school music program is raising money for new instruments by collecting household items to resell.
Check in with hospitals and nursing homes too. Some hospitals and nursing homes accept gently used books, magazines, puzzles, and games for patients and residents. Have gifts you’d accepted but that aren’t being used? Nursing homes and senior centers are often looking for gifts that can be used as BINGO prizes for participants.
Donate thoughtfully
Yes, it’s much easier to pull up to a donation center and drop it all off in one fell swoop. And if you struggle to find the time to declutter, I would recommend you do just that. But if concerns about where those items may end up are keeping you stuck, there are plenty of places that need your stuff.
Have towels, bedding, dog toys, crates or other pet items to re-home? Consider donating to your local animal shelters or pet rescue organizations. Many organizations will even accept used cars as donations.
Books, magazines, and DVDs? Libraries often take donations of books and DVDs to sell at their friends of the library fundraisers to raise money for their programs.
Shoes that still have a little life left? Organizations like One World Running and Soles4Souls accept donations and redistribute shoes to those in need. If shoes are past their prime, many organizations have started recycling programs and your local running shoe shop may accept donations. Nike has a recycling program and accepts all brands of used athletic shoes at their participating locations.
Paint, tile, hardware or furnishings to pass on? The Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts donations of latex paint, as well as other building supplies. If your decluttering is inspired by a home remodeling project, they also take sinks, doors, rugs, cabinets and working appliances.
Clothing and general household items? There are many organizations that will either give your items to people in need, or resell them to use the proceeds to support their philanthropic work. Check with your local shelters, foster care advocacy groups, and the charities dear to your heart.
Resell strategically
There are so many options for reselling items through consignment, in person, or online but you’ll want to be strategic about the amount of time or effort you have to devote to reselling.
Locally you may find consignment shops, or resale consignment events, to be an easy way to pass your things along. When my kids were young we’d often resell clothing and toys at an annual resale event called Outrageous Outgrowns, and then purchase what they currently needed in exchange.
In person selling may require a bit more effort, but yard sales, flea markets, and swap meets can be a rewarding way to pass things along. It can be easier to let things go when you see the direct positive impact they’ll make for someone else.
Online reselling can also require a time commitment, but you may find it more profitable to list items on websites that specialize in the specific items you have to pass along. Gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories are popular on resale sites, and collectibles may fetch a surprising amount online.
However you choose to let your useful items serve someone else, letting them go can be personally fulfilling and in alignment with your values. Your unused items have the potential to help or bring joy to others, while living with fewer unwanted items can bring mental clarity and peace of mind. Passing along the things you no longer need thoughtfully can be a win-win for you and the communities you call home.
