What to do with all the stuff you no longer want after the decluttering purge
I received the question recently, about any tips I had or suggestions on what to do with all the bags of stuff you are left with at the end of your decluttering marathon. This question was such an obvious topic for a post I couldn't believe I had glazed over it. But if you have never done a really good purge before, or even if you have but now there's just so much stuff, this is a really important topic to get some overall insight on!
In this post, I have provided a few tips on what I suggest you do with your stuff post-purge.
I love this little image of "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs" made into a minimalist 'buyarchy' but it is so fitting to this topic. Instead of how you can buy close, you can look at this pyramid as a way of getting rid of clothes too. It sums up a few of the suggestions for getting rid of your stuff in an ethical and smart way.
Sell
This one is all about you gaining from this situation. I know it can be difficult to give away items that were expensive but if they are not sparking joy or are a necessity then there is no reason to keep them. Therefore, see if you can sell some of these items. Depending on where you are in the world there are different stores that facilitate this process. They are picky and will not take everything, so do this step first and see how much you can get rid using this method (and how much extra change you can make)!
On the topic
of selling, there are some really great
organizations who will buy your clothes back from you in order for them
to create new items! One that I think is really great is
Re-Spun,
a revoluntionary recycling program that will give your old tee a new
life. If you want to make some cash off of your old items, this
organization will give you $5 for each tee you send them. That, if
anything, should movitate you to not just throw your old items in the
trash!
Gift
Not everything we let go of is immediately "broken". Sometimes we just don't use them anymore and what is the use in having them when they just sit in the back of our closet or in a storage box? Ask your friend, roommate, sibling, parent if they could use the things you are getting rid of, and gift it to them. Maybe you just think it would suit them and it can be a birthday or no-reason gift. If it is in good condition, there's no harm in passing it on.
Be careful: You have just done an amazing job decluttering your space. You are in the right mindset and understand your criteria of the items you will intentionally bring into your space from now on. It is important to remember that not everyone has your perspective. Be conscious of the fact that family or friends are not just taking the items because they don't want you throwing them out. This means that the items do not spark joy for them either, but they have grown up with the mindset that things should not be thrown out, or whatever their case may be. That is completely okay, but just be suore to not "force" items on them that they may be taking out of guilt.
Swap
Organizing a swap party can be a fun activity to do with your friends. The concept is that you all bring a few items and swap whilst having food and drinks ... My preference would be some red wine and a charcuterie board!
Be careful: See above "be careful" comment under the gifts section. Again, you are in a strong mindset right now for intentionally allowing things into your life. Be careful to only take something at a swap that truly sparks joy for you. Don't take it because someone else tells you it looks good on you. Don't take it cause you feel bad. You know that you just purged your house and that you are amazing. Stay in that mindset!
Donate
I have left "donation" until the end because it is the most common one. At the same time, it depends on where you are donating. Some aid programs who send clothes oversees, generally countries in the global south, to places that already have an excess of items that just build up in a mini-landfill type situation. The toxins from the clothes result in more harm than good as they sit and rot. Check out the Netflix documentary
The True Cost if you are intersted in learning more about this topic!
I recommend doing some research into what types of thrift stores and organizations you have in your area. A great idea is a women's shelter or goodwill. My wonderful friend
Heather shared her decluttering story with me, after asking where to best bring all the things she was getting rid of. She went to a women's shelter in her area and right when she got there, a woman who had just lost everything showed up and ended up taking most of the items Heather had donated. She shared with Heather that all of these donations was a sign to her that she had made the right choice in finding safety and getting out of a dangerous relationship.
Point is, there are many local places and people that need your help. Look into what is in your area, what they do with donations (i.e. do they have a store, do they send them off somewhere, etc.) to gain some insight in who you will be helping. Such an experience will fill you with warmth and gratitude and encourage you to continue to declutter and donate as appose to throw away.
So there you have it - my recommendations for what you should do with all your stuff after you have decluttered. I also suggest you donate, swap, or sell your items relatively quickly so you don't let them just lay around.
Have you decluttered? Which of these methods did you use to ulimatle get rid of your stuff? Share with me!
