Many people use their loft or attic as a catch all for anything they don’t like the look of or can’t make up their mind about. It is really only designed for a few key items- things that we need- but not all year round. We have listed these pieces for you below. Anything that doesn’t fit into these categories is a sign that you need to declutter.
Minimalism on Female First
Christmas decorations: You only use these once a year so there is little point having them in an accessible place for 11 months. It makes perfect sense to keep them tucked away until you need them. Plus some decorations can be delicate so the last thing you need is to move them around if they are in your way, risking damage.
Suitcases: You may keep a smaller case in an easily accessed area if you spend regular nights away from home- but the larger cases should be kept out of the way until you start packing for your next vacation. These are large pieces of kit and will only get in your way if you don’t find a home for them.
Holiday paraphernalia: This could be anything from camping equipment to travel pillows- simply put- things that you only use when you are hopping on a plane or putting up a tent. You may use items like sunglasses and sunscreen at other points in the year so better to keep these to hand- but anything that is not perishable and durable can be stored away until such times that you need them.
Out of season clothing: If you have a capsule wardrobe that works all year round- great! But many people have different batches of clothes for different seasons. If you don’t have room for all four seasons in your wardrobe, be honest with yourself- you aren’t going to wear a sleeveless top in the height of winter- similarly you aren’t going to pop on your fur lined boots when the sun is cracking the flags.
Holiday decorations: If you have holiday decorations for Halloween or Easter as well as Christmas decor- the same rule applies- you only need them once a year so make sure they have a designated place in your storage area.
Memory boxes: For those people who have passed away- this is an excellent way to keep only the items that have the most significance. I would urge you to have one box per person. Anything more is overwhelming and chances are, the person who has passed would not want you to be burdened with all of their belongings- just the pieces that bring back the happiest of memories.
Anything else that lurks in your loft or attic isn’t a necessity- you are hanging onto it for a number of other reasons- guilt, laziness, expectation, tradition- whatever category you fall into- bring all of these items into your working space and see if you can let go of anything.
There are the usual culprits- all of which can have a home elsewhere if you allow it.
Old phones, cables, laptops and gadgets can be recycled or sold.
Wedding dresses, old baby clothes or fluffy toys from childhood can be donated to someone who can use them now.
There is little need for excesses and duplicates of things- you don’t need more than one- you can keep the best and purge the rest.
Don’t let your loft or garage be the dumping ground. If something doesn’t have a home in your living space- perhaps you need to give it an eviction notice.
Tagged in Minimalism