Let go of possessions that will never be called upon in the future.
Do You Struggle with Letting Go of Things?
It is admittedly very hard for us to let go of things that we think may have some use in the future. A coat that your kids have outgrown may come in handy for your child’s friend who shows up one day in the winter without his coat, and voila (!) you have an extra in the closet. Instead of recycling an old smart phone you decide to hold onto it for the day when a child comes over and wants to play with a pretend phone; you have just the thing! Even though no one in your family likes to eat cod you hold onto a cod recipe from the New York Times for the day when you’re wanting a new fish dish for your family.
The “What If” Scenario.
All of these scenarios fall into the trap of “what if?” What if someone is in need? What if I am in need? The problem with this approach is that we end up holding onto a tremendous amount of stuff that no longer serves us, because of an eventuality that never materializes.
The key to helping yourself change your “what if” mindset is to realize that the vast majority of “what if” scenarios never come to fruition. That neighbor won’t come knocking for 5 pairs of scissors, 10 extra vases, or 3 red raincoats. And if she does, you will problem-solve the issue in the moment. But in the meanwhile, please understand that if you hold onto everything for a possibility that never manifests, your house becomes a repository for items never in use.
How to Change Your “What If” Mentality.
Start with low-hanging fruit: find objects that are broken, no longer your style, no longer loved, and not in use anymore by your family. It’s the right time to let them go. They have served you well and their lifetime has come to an end. Some people find that taking a moment to acknowledge how the piece has served them helps with the process of saying goodbye, and allows them to let go without guilt. It is critical to appreciate that our needs and desires change over time. As such the things we need and want in our lives change as well. Just because an item was once valued and used, does not mean it must remain in use or valued forever. Possessions are meant to give to us, to be of value to us, and when they stop doing so, it is the perfect time to let them go.
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