Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff by Matt Paxton

Author:Matt Paxton [Paxton, Matt]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2022-02-08T00:00:00+00:00

When sorting through books, make sure you look through every page, because we often find cash and important letters inside.

DONATING CLOTHES

If you’re trying to declutter and are facing the problem of culling through your clothes, it’s easy to tell yourself that you’ll wear any item at some point down the road. So my rule is this: Unless you’re going to wear it in the next six months, get rid of it (sell, donate, or trash). The only exception is seasonal clothes. You get a free pass on those, but be honest with yourself and get rid of the clothes you really don’t wear anymore.

If you are having trouble thinning out your wardrobe, hold a small fashion show. Usually, two things happen: First, just trying on things will convince you to toss a lot of the clothes. We all age and outgrow styles and sizes. I used to save my size 28, then 30, then 32 jeans because I kept telling myself that I would slim down someday. But the reality is, I’m a snug size 36. I’ll keep the 34s as an inspiration to cut back on the ice cream, but I’ve accepted that the slimmer sizes are unrealistic. I don’t have space in my closet for them anymore because I don’t have space in my fantasy life for them.

Second, a fashion show forces you to show off the clothes to other people in your family. If people laugh at your bell-bottom jeans, it’s probably time to let them go. If an article of clothing you are partial to is out of style, a brutally honest twelve-year-old will let you know. At the fashion show stage, I suggest letting the family vote.

When it’s time to get rid of the clothes, you can ask friends or relatives who wear that size if they’d like them. Selling some of these clothes to a vintage shop will make you a little money, and we’ll discuss those options in Step Seven. The rest can go to donations, which we’ll discuss below. For now, be honest with yourself about what fits your body and your lifestyle, and get rid of the clothes you don’t currently wear.

If someone is deceased, the first and easiest decision is to get rid of most of his or her clothes. They’re probably not your style or size. But clothes are not just random pieces of threads. Sometimes they are meaningful, individualized garments that can define a person. Sometimes certain rare items can be passed down from generation to generation, so that your grandfather’s jacket becomes one you wear every day. I generally recommend keeping one or two outfits that make you smile. Many of my clients who have lost a spouse put off cleaning out their deceased partner’s clothes. It’s understandable: There are smells and feelings attached to all of those clothes. Clients will ask me, “When will I know it’s time to let go?” All I can tell you is, if you are asking that question, it’s not time yet.

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