Often, I think, I have too much stuff. However, I am usually unsure of what to part with. And I know, I am not alone in this. Parting with items that you care about or have had a long time can be tough. Thus, I have figured out some tips and tricks to figure out what to donate.
1. How Long Have You Had The Item?
Many people are like me and love to collect clothing and other various items. However, length of time does not equate to needing an item.
How long you have item can fall into two camps.
- First, it can fall into the positive camp. In this camp, the items have been with you for a long time and hold emotional, sentimental, and historical importance. In many of these cases, these items can and should be kept because they have a purpose.
- Nevertheless, the other camp is the one that should be donated. Often people have had items for a long time because they thought they had a purpose or would be used eventually. This is where you should really ask yourself, why do I have this item or will it ever be something of importance?
Getting to the why of the item that is purposeful can help you so much to let things go you have had for a long period of time.
2. How Often Do You Wear The Item?
Next, many people keep items but do not use them. Thus, it is extremely important to ask your when was the last time you used the item. While many of us have plans and intentions for used items but, in many cases, we do not.
This is an easy way to figure out what to and to not part with. If the item has utility for you and is substantive, then keeping the item is worth it.
Many people keep, hoard, and collect things but the items do not have a practical use.
Think critically about the the use of the items you have. If does not have use you most likely can donate it.
3. Quality vs. Quantity
Finally, when trying to figure out what to donate, think about the quality of the item. Often we keep things because we think having a lot is a good thing. However, less is more. Quality should be valued over quantity.
It is easy to donate things that seem cheap and poorly made. Take a critical look at the items you have and think about how it is made. If it is not of high quality and is shanty it might be a good time to donate it.
