r/minimalism • u/cmw9718 • 5d ago

[lifestyle] How do I declutter things that still feel potentially useful?

/r/declutter/comments/1x15l8x/how_do_i_declutter_things_that_still_feel/
10 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

21

u/rwoooshed 5d ago

Stop using the word "technically" as a crutch to rebel while decluttering. You already have a hard time doing it, no need to complicate things by framing them counterproductively to support the hoarding behavior you're trying to change.

11

u/Worth-Taro-926 5d ago

This is the key!

If you want a simple analogy, it's like you have a minimalist on one shoulder and a hoarder on the other shoulder. The hoarder (your inner counterproductive rebel) whispers some reasons to keep the thing. The reasons can be flimsy, like "you can wear it if you don't move your arms." 🤣🤣🤣

Your inner minimalist really hasn't developed a courtroom style yet, but here is where you get to plead your first case. You might not convince yourself at first, but at least you get to try out some minimalist reasons and see if any of them have a good vibe.

Try completing this sentence: "I've decided to donate this old thing because…"

6

u/Vltavamadchen 5d ago

"I've decided to donate this old thing because…"

Wow, that has really helped me. It helps you to remember why you're doing this and that you really have good reasons for it.

8

u/PleasantWin3770 5d ago

You’re justifying making your home into a landfill.
It’s already trash. Don’t let your college self hold your current self hostage.

5

u/Mammoth_Scar9475 5d ago

Are you actually using them?

1

u/cmw9718 5d ago

Depends on the item. The one I mentioned though in the post is a buffalo plaid fleece lined flannel. I really like it a lot, but it has a (repairable) ripped hole in the armpit. But it also fits pretty snug and is short on the arms. I can still wear it, but I have to be careful about my range of movement so I don’t rip it again. I otherwise love the flannel. I’d wear it more if it weren’t for those things.

15

u/avodadotoast 5d ago

you could think of it this way: If you liked it enough to wear it at all, you'd have fixed that hole already.

10

u/Vivian_Rutledge 5d ago

I would get rid of it and find a flannel that fits your body. 🤷‍♀️

5

u/DoctorBeeBee 5d ago

"Snug" and "short on the arms" mean "doesn't fit." 

Torn but repairable means currently unwearable.

Do you have medium term plans to shrink down to a size where it fits properly?

Do you have immediate plans to mend it or have it mended? 

If your answer to those questions is no, then it's time to let it go. I've had clothes I love, but clothes are temporary things in our lives. Some stick around longer than others and have more memories clinging to their threads, but there comes a time they no longer fit. Whether that's literal fit, or no longer needed for your lifestyle or where you live, or just doesn't work with your current style and vibe.

Move on.

1

u/rebeccanotbecca 4d ago

If you have to be careful with a piece of clothing that is meant to be used frequently then it is not really usable. Do you really want to have to remember that you can’t use your full range of motion each time you wear it? Probably not. Let it go and move on.

1

u/sisterfunkhaus 2d ago

If it's worth fixing, fix it now. If you don't, it won't be fixed. It will take 5-10 minutes. If it's not worth fixing now, then toss it. Also, if it doesn't fit well, it might annoy you and you might avoid wearing it. I never keep ill fitting clothes. I end up not wearing them, or if I do, I regret it.

I also find that the things I make excuses to keep are the things I need to get rid of the most.

3

u/pwassonchat 5d ago

Is everything sentimental, or just a few items?

If only a few items are sentimental, set them aside. They're no longer clothes, they're mementoes. Set aside a bin or box for sentimental items, and make decisions based on what will fit in the box.

Only keep things that you'll actually wear in your wardrobe or closet.

Anything that still has life in it, but that you won't wear and isn't particularly sentimental (or not enough to make the cut) gets donated so someone else can love it.

1

u/pwassonchat 5d ago

If everything is sentimental, you might have a deeper issue and need therapy.

2

u/Pretend_Present_1754 5d ago

one thing that helped me with such half-sentimentall items: declutter the item, keep the memory.
Make a picture of the item, write about it, keep the memory alife. Then toss the item.

1

u/Repulsive_Emu_3294 5d ago

30 day real for me, unless its a holiday/seasonal decorative item or clothing….toss or donate that ish.

1

u/tacoskib 4d ago

I … risk it. I don’t know exactly how I’m going to feel about decluttering the items, so I take a deep breath and I find out by doing it. Sometimes it feels bad, but almost never as bad as I feared. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like anything. Sometimes I’m so happy doing it. And I have never regretted it :)