Well, I’ll be the first to admit it – I’m a bonafide maximalist. My apartment is a veritable hoard of stuff, from vintage glass cake stands to brand new sheet sets I’ll probably never use. But lately, I’ve been yearning to simplify, to embrace the minimalist lifestyle. And it turns out, I’m not alone.
Decluttering in the Age of Pandemic
Thanks to the whole quasi-house arrest situation we’ve had going on, a recent survey found that 78% of respondents realized they have more possessions than they actually need. Staring at all that stuff, day in and day out, can really make a person reconsider their attachment to material goods. As Randy Sabin, who runs estate and internet sales, told me, “It’s staring them in the face. They have to dust it.”
So what’s a maximalist to do with all this First World surplus? Turns out, there are plenty of options – some more lucrative than others. The prospect of making a quick buck off my unwanted goods certainly piqued my interest. After all, Melania Trump was able to auction off her big white hat for a cool $170,000. If the First Lady can do it, why can’t I?
Embracing the Six-Month Rule
But as I quickly learned, the real challenge isn’t finding buyers for your stuff – it’s actually letting go of it in the first place. I struggled with this myself, hoarding everything from vintage cigarette pack purses to Trump toilet paper, convinced I might need it someday. That’s where the six-month rule comes in.
The six-month rule is a simple yet highly effective decluttering strategy. The premise is straightforward: if you haven’t used or needed an item in the past six months, it’s probably safe to say you can live without it. As decluttering expert Ben Soreff explains, “The rule allows for exceptions including holiday decorations and keepsakes, but for practical items, if you haven’t used it in six months, you can probably let it go.”
This rule has been a game-changer for me. By forcing myself to take a hard look at the things I’m hanging onto “just in case,” I’ve been able to part with so much clutter. And the best part? I haven’t missed a single item. As Phi Dang, the director of home services company Sidepost, says, “When you declutter your home, you can surround yourself with the things that make you happy and that are truly useful to you.”
Navigating the Emotional Minefield of Decluttering
Of course, letting go isn’t always easy. We all struggle with that nagging fear of regret, the “what if” mentality that can make decluttering feel like an impossible task. I know I do – I get irrationally sentimental over the most random things. That’s why the six-month rule is so brilliant. By giving yourself a clear timeline, it takes the emotion out of the equation.
As decluttering expert Matt Paxton points out in his book “Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff,” our sentimental attachment is often the biggest thing holding us back. But with the six-month rule, you can overcome that. Phi Dang explains that it “gently eases you into letting go of things.” If you haven’t used it in half a year, chances are you’ll be just fine without it.
And don’t worry, the six-month rule allows for exceptions. That vintage cigarette pack purse I mentioned earlier? Even though I haven’t used it in years, I’ve decided to hold onto it. Why? Because it’s a unique piece of history that I genuinely enjoy having in my home. The key is being honest with yourself about what truly holds value, versus what’s just collecting dust.
Turning Trash into Treasure (or at Least, Charity)
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “But what if my stuff is actually valuable?” Well, I’ve been there too. I spent hours trying to sell those cigarette pack purses, only to be met with crickets. Turns out, the thingies you find in your grandfather’s drawer are often not as valuable as you might think.
But that doesn’t mean your unwanted items are destined for the landfill. Far from it, in fact. There are so many amazing organizations and programs out there that will gladly take your castoffs off your hands. From Freecycle and the Buy Nothing Project to Goodwill and the Free Store Project, there are plenty of options for donating your pre-loved goods.
And don’t forget about the specialized charities out there. For example, did you know you can mail your old mascara wands to Wands for Wildlife, who use them to comb dirt and debris from the fur and feathers of rescued animals? Or that PETA will take your old fur coats to donate to the homeless? The possibilities are endless!
Conquering the Paper Trail
Of course, decluttering isn’t just about physical items – it’s also about tackling the paper trail. From old greHarmony greeting cards to that stack of wedding invitations you’ve been hanging onto for dear life, it can all start to feel a bit overwhelming. But with a little creativity and a few strategic donations, you can say goodbye to the paper clutter for good.
For example, did you know that St. Jude’s Ranch for Children will accept used greeting cards (except for Hallmark, American Greetings, and Disney cards)? Just mail them off, and they’ll give those cards new life. As for those wedding keepsakes, Still White is a website that will buy your old wedding dress, ensuring it finds a new home.
And what about those books – you know, the ones you were convinced would make you a small fortune? Turns out, age doesn’t necessarily make a book valuable. But that doesn’t mean they have to end up in the trash. Consider donating them to your local prison library, Books for Africa, or even your public library. That way, your pre-loved tomes can continue to bring joy to others.
Clearing the Clutter, Clearing the Mind
Ultimately, decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of stuff – it’s about clearing the way for what really matters. As a self-proclaimed maximalist, I can attest that living in a cluttered space can take a real toll on your mental well-being. But by embracing the six-month rule and finding new homes for the things I no longer need, I’ve been able to create an organized living space that reflects my personality and helps me feel more at ease.
And I’m not the only one who’s noticed the benefits. A study conducted by the storage marketplace Neighbor found that 70% of respondents who decluttered during the pandemic donated their unwanted items. Why? Because getting rid of the physical clutter can also help unburden the mind, allowing you to focus on what’s truly important.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the weight of your possessions, I encourage you to give the six-month rule a try. Take a good, hard look at the things you’re holding onto, and ask yourself – have I used this in the last half a year? If the answer is no, it might be time to let it go. Who knows, you might just end up discovering a cleaning service that can help you maintain that newfound sense of order and calm.
