As we find ourselves in the midst of another lockdown, rather than looking to the negatives, it’s important to see the opportunities that lie within being at home more. One of those is the chance to increase your focus on the stuff in your house and more so what you can purge from your space.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
While you may not be able to donate things just yet, you can create a holding place in your home for things that you can eventually pass on to a charity shop of your choice once they reopen. So, if you’re not convinced, here are a few points of persuasion.
Christmas is still fresh in our minds: Yes it’s a mere two weeks since we were sitting down to turkey dinner and with this festive time of year comes the inevitable unwanted gift. Rather than forcing yourself to find these things a home, if you can’t see an immediate use for them or worse, you hate the items with a fiery passion, set them aside to give to someone who might find joy in each piece.
New Year: New year, new you and all that. Why not make your resolution this year to declutter your space and live more simply? We are five days in, but nothing screams ‘fresh start’ like a brand new year. So if you’ve been flirting with the idea of decluttering, now is the time to get started and see where you find yourself this time in 2022.
The experts around you: There will be someone you know who spent lockdown one or two (or both) decluttering, so they will be an expert at it now- meaning you can ask for their help- remotely of course if you don’t live together. And if you do- request that they pop in your room while you try on things and get their opinion on what they think you should keep and give away. It can be a worthwhile family activity if you are running out of things to do.
Online help: If you live alone or each of your family members is just as much a self confessed hoarder as yourself, there are so many YouTubers who are hot on this topic and bloggers who can assist you in your journey with their encouraging words. You are not alone and if all you are looking for is some more inspiration, there are some who are reflecting on the benefits of living with less to motivate you further. This one by Natalie Bennett is particularly good.
The Minimalists: Less is Now is out on Netflix now: If you are more of a documentary watcher than a YouTube video binger, I cannot recommend this film enough. It takes you on a journey of how two men who strived for the American dream, rejected it when they achieved it and opted for a more meaningful life with less instead. Several people from the minimalist community share their experiences of how paring down helped them become happier versions of themselves and there are some shocking statistics in there about our consumer driven society. It’s only an hour, so head over and watch it after reading this! (Check out my review below!)
The weather is in your favour: While you may have been drawn outside during lockdown one for walks, BBQs, picnics in the garden and reading in your favourite outdoor chair, the cold, wet weather is not as inviting as the bright sunshine was. So use the time indoors wisely and let your space breathe a sigh of relief.
A whole year has passed: Well, nearly. So you will be able to look back and consider what you used and more importantly- what you didn’t. There may be items you want to keep because it wasn’t a normal year. For instance don’t part with your holiday clothes because you weren’t able to go on one. But during the months of previous lockdowns if you didn’t read the books, or use the at home gym equipment, wear the lounge clothes or watch the DVD, chances are you never will. You had the opportunity and you didn’t take it- so what does that tell you? You probably don’t like, need or want the item anymore.
Happy New Year and happy decluttering!
RELATED: Review: The Minimalists: Less Is Now
Released on New Year’s Day and four years in the making, this documentary is the perfect way to spend an hour of your time to inspire you for the months ahead. ‘New Year, New You’ is a phrase commonly touted at this time in the calendar, but rather than focusing on the usual things- why not turn your attention to your spending habits and your relationship with stuff instead to achieve the new you? It all starts there. As the documentary explains- we are neglecting the things that really matter for the sake of stuff and surely readjusting this imbalance is one of the best resolutions any of us can make... to read more click HERE
Tagged in Minimalism Declutter Decluttering Lockdown