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How to let go of your stuff

The one important thing to remember 
Shania Shegedyn

Many of us struggle with staying on top of clutter in our homes, as there is a lot of emotional – and well as financial – investment in the things that we accumulate.

Popular design blogger Grace Bonney of Design Sponge confessed in a recent post that she finds it hard to strike a balance between owning too much stuff and the trend for minimalism.

Grace wrote on her blog: “I’m often tempted to pick up a little thing here or there, or take in something my family offers to bring to me, because well, why not? It’s not like another plate is going to hurt anyone, so what’s the harm?”

However, she’s discovered that she finds it easier to let go of something if she remembers that someone needs it more than she does.

“Whether it’s a pair of shoes or a gently-used coffee machine, there’s almost always someone near you that could use that object and would get greater pleasure and joy (or aid more in their day-to-day survival) than you,” she explained.

It’s an easy philosophy to keep in mind if you’re struggling to part with things in your home.

Keeping a spare box at home dedicated to charity makes it easy to cut down on clutter, while supporting your community. Just remember to make quality donations, and mindfully reconsider any new purchases in the future.

 

This article originally appeared on Better Homes and Gardens.

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