What to Keep and What to Rid

Appreciate your spaces cause’ you might need them…”

A few months ago, I did a brief review on “” by Marie Kondo and talked about how it changed my life completed in all of the positive ways. So, how did I end up buying it? Simple answer: I was in the middle of moving to a new house with my family and I felt that it was the perfect time to rediscover myself and by all means, getting rid of all of the clothes and stuffs that I didn’t need and even forget to have.

I am not an expert to decluttering because I tend to have emotional bonds with all of my stuffs and had difficulties to let them go. As far as you’re concern, that woman was long gone after I have rediscover Marie’s techniques. What did I learn? Well, a lot! and I have listed them down to really just help yourself to think about your room right now and how miserable you are when entering your room or you must be too lazy to tidy up your room. Well, bad news, you need to start reorganize and declutter most of them.

By decluttering, I am happier and getting pickier when I want to buy stuffs. These are the lessons that I did and still use for my daily decision making on what’s make and toss from my room:

  1. Think before you throw it away.

My rule of thumb: if you haven’t wear for over a year, throw it or donate it or sell it! That simple, right? Once you get rid of them, you won’t miss them for a bit. Trust me on that because you haven’t touch for a year might as well that you forgot you have.

2. Is it functional or useful for you right now?

This is the hardest part that you need to rethink again and again. We tend to collect things that we really don’t need right now. What we need is space. Space is limited but your things aren’t. Think wisely on what is useful for you? Even a book or a bag can be in this category.

3. Does it brings you joy?

Ahh the classic Marie Kondo’s theory of bringing joy. But, it does affect the way to arrange, store or even wear your clothes. You want to feel good and comfortable. Most importantly, be yourself with a boost of confident. If these don’t apply while you’re are wearing it, then please just toss it away.

4. How long has it been?

I’m not saying that it is bad to have your 10 years old tshirt or pants but, how long has it been you’re wearing that garment? Stuck under the newest clothes that you’ve worn. If that’s the case, throw it away as well. Vintage is good if you’re still wearing it several times in a month.

5. Organize and fold them!

Feel the fabrics and fold them nicely so that you have some touch to you things. In a sense, you have this bond with your belongings and that you’ve bought because it has a meaning and purposes within your life. If not, go back to no 1.

I have really a lot to learn about how to get rid of something and it is still a daily struggle for me. I did manage to restrain myself and yes, it did change my compulsive behaviors on buying things that I don’t really need. I also did develop a skill on selling preloved items (onto the next story so stay tuned) and it did help me to get rid of a lot of my stuffs. To be honest, I felt free and happy and feeling bless on what I have right.

How do you de-clutter? Or you didn’t do it at all? Share your stories with me and who knows maybe we can learn from each other.