If you tend to leave your decluttering for one time of year- such as the spring- paring down your items more regularly will stop the need for this altogether. Here’s why one trip every week will change your space for the better:
Minimalism on Female First
It prevents a build-up of unwanted things: You might have space in your home dedicated to donations which you’ve been meaning to take to the charity shop for a while and never got around to- and now it’s out of control. If this sounds like you- reclaim the space and vow to declutter one bag a week until it’s gone.
It makes you seek things out: If you have to fill a bag a week- it encourages you to look around your home for things you can donate which you might have ignored or overlooked before. If the target is to fill the bag- this is your incentive to conduct a clutter-hunt each week.
It’s habit forming: Like any other habit, if you do it for one month- it will become second nature and you will dedicate some time each week to doing it. Before you know it, you won’t even give it a second thought.
It’s ideal for those who are new to minimalism and decluttering: If you have a lot to let go of- this is a slow and steady method to clearing your space that won’t overwhelm you. It may take longer but will appeal to those who feel a short and sharp approach is not for them.
It will encourage you to look at other donation opportunities too: You might take a look at your kitchen cupboards and find food that you could take to a food bank, or your linen closet might have some old towels you could donate to a local animal shelter. Perhaps you have a lot of electricals you could take to recycle instead on one of the weeks?
It helps you reach your sweet spot: If you get to a stage where you are struggling to find things to donate- this could mean that you have reached your own threshold for the total number of items in your home- or your sweet spot. You are left with only what you love and use and at this point, you might be able to move your weekly donations to monthly ones or even six-monthly drop offs to keep on top of everything.
You can easily combine it with other things: If your local charity shop is near your supermarket, you can combine it with your weekly shop. Perhaps your charity shop is located next to the place you get your daily paper or go for your weekly appointment or near your local library- in which case, combine two trips in one.
Bonus: It helps the charity shop: Think about it- if you were to donate everything in one go- that is a lot of pressure to put on volunteers to process all those items. If you take it in regular, yet smaller amounts- they will be able to process your unwanted items much more effectively. Consequently, the items will be on display much faster and available to sell and make money for your chosen charity.
Happy decluttering!
MORE: Seven things you can donate in the second week of January
Tagged in Minimalism