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Declutter

No Regrets

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I’ve been decluttering for a long time now, and have pared down my possessions to quite a minimal level. Consequently, people often ask me if I’ve ever regretted getting rid of certain items. Surely, in over ten years, there must be something I wish I hadn’t purged.

It may seem unbelievable, but to be perfectly honest, I have no regrets. I can’t think of a single thing that I long to have back in my life. I don’t miss any of the clothes, the books, the heirlooms, the tchotchkes, the shoes, the handbags, or the kitchen gadgets I decided I could live without.… {Read more}

Minimalism Around the World: Danshari

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When I first started writing about minimalism, I thought of clutter and overconsumption as primarily an American problem. However, from the emails and comments I received, I soon learned that many in the UK and Europe were struggling with similar issues.

Still, I considered it mainly an affliction of the Western world, and never imagined decluttering would have much relevance in the Far East (which has a long cultural heritage of simplicity and restraint).

However, according to an article by Michael Hoffman in The Japan Times Online, there’s a new trend sweeping Japan: danshari.

Kanjiclinic.com included the word in its “2010 New Words” list, and defined it as follows:

断捨離 Danshari – “de-clutter.” The three kanji in this compound mean “refuse – throw away – separate.” Self-help author Hideko Yamashita, drawing on yoga philosophy, promotes a three-step system for de-cluttering one’s life (both physical and mental) in Japan: 1) refuse to bring unnecessary new possessions into your life; 2) throw away existing clutter in your living space; and 3) separate from a desire for material possessions.… {Read more}

Declutter Your Fantasy Self

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Once upon a time (a long time ago), I had a fantasy self. She was an aficionado of antique chandeliers, vintage beaded dresses, fine china, and silver tea sets; I think she fancied one day she would marry a prince and live out her days in a British castle or manor house.

Charming as she was, after dragging her stuff thousands of miles in a cross-country move, I had to kick her out. And it’s a good thing I did—because even though I eventually married a prince (metaphorically) and moved to England (literally), my 400-square-foot flat would have never accommodated her lavish accoutrements.… {Read more}

Dealing with OPC (Other People’s Clutter)

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I often receive emails from people who want to pare down, but are frustrated with their partner’s/children’s/parent’s/family’s reluctance to get on board. They feel that no matter how much of their own stuff they purge, they’ll always be tripping over, shoving aside, or otherwise dealing with someone else’s clutter.

I have to admit, that’s a tough situation. Unfortunately, begging, pleading, evangelizing, or threatening can have the opposite effect—and result in making them more determined to hang on to their stuff.

Don’t despair! Your words may fall on deaf ears, but there’s a few things you can do to (gently) prod those clutterbugs in the right direction:

1.… {Read more}

Where to Donate Your Stuff: 101 Places Your Clutter Can Do Good

310 Comments

In my book, The Joy of Less, I talk about how it’s infinitely easier to declutter when your stuff can serve a good cause:

“Something that’s been sitting in your house, unused and unloved, may bring a great deal of joy to, or fill the genuine need of, someone else. Make their day, and give yourself a pat on the back. Knowing that you’re doing good can make it much easier to part with your stuff.”

With that in mind, I’ve compiled a BIG list of places to donate your discards. Of course, from an environmental standpoint, it’s best to keep your castoffs in your community; the fewer things we ship around the globe, the better.… {Read more}

Decluttering 101: To Sell or Not to Sell

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Lately, I’ve received several emails from readers who are anxious to declutter their stuff. The problem: they don’t know whether to cart it to the charity shop, or painstakingly sell it piece by piece.

Oh, I’ve been there.

I know just how you feel: gazing at your mountain of discards, and seeing all the dollars that should be in your bank account. Hoping you can recoup even a fraction of the cost, to make up for your mistakes. Dreading the weeks (or months) of photographing your items, writing descriptions of them on eBay, answering emails about them, and hunting down boxes to ship them out.… {Read more}

Minimalist Makeover: Lea Ann’s Closet

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A few weeks ago, I wrote about Beth’s closet and kitchen makeover. Shortly thereafter, I heard from Lea Ann, who had just finished a closet makeover of her own. I was amazed by the “before” and “after” photos:

What a difference! I asked her to share with us exactly *how* she accomplished this transformation. She wrote:

Background: I lived in San Francisco where space was tight. Moved to Wisconsin and am suddenly in a 770 s.f. apartment that has more space and closets than I was used to. To leave San Francisco, I’d given away all but a car load of items and road tripped to Wisconsin.… {Read more}

Minimalist Makeover: Beth’s Closet and Kitchen

30 Comments

Last week, Beth left the following lovely comment on my post about The Joy of Less:

Thank you! I read your book last week and loved it! There is so much valuable information in it! I started today with my bedroom closet. I kept remembering your words and kept going. I did it and the bedroom (which I am going to use as a yoga room too–don’t have a mattress and box spring–just a futon) is next! My closet looks so good! I can’t believe it but I am only using half of the rods to hang clothes on. I feel like a real minimalist–ok maybe a beginner but I’m into it now.… {Read more}

Declutter Your Jewelry Box

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Let’s face it—we all have clutter in our jewelry boxes: broken chains, gifts from old flames, grandma’s wedding ring, an uncle’s old watch. Jewelry, however, can be especially difficult to purge. Unlike most clutter, gold and gemstones have intrinsic value—tossing them in the trash is like throwing money away.

Good news: the price of gold is near its all-time high, and jewelers everywhere are buying it from people like you and me. (It may seem contradictory that jewelers would want to buy gold at such a high price, but they make a profit by selling it to a refiner.)

Here’s how it works: clean out your jewelry box of all the bits and bobs you no longer want.… {Read more}

The Top Ten Ways to Declutter Heirlooms

69 Comments

I was recently cleaning out some bookmarks (digital decluttering!), and ran across this oldie-but-goodie from the New York Times:

The Tyranny of the Heirloom

In the article, the writer interviews several people who feel compelled to keep the things they’ve inherited — a Victorian settee, an ugly painting, a massive sideboard — despite their dislike for them. Some do it out of guilt, some to hang onto memories, others to preserve their family “history.”

I can relate, as I inherited my grandmother’s twelve place settings of china right after I graduated from college. I dragged them around with me for years, carefully packing and unpacking them during moves across three states.… {Read more}