The Gratitude Declutter: Letting Go of What No Longer Serves You
What is a gratitude declutter? It’s an approach to decluttering in which you are purposeful and focused on being grateful for the things you do have and learn to discern between what you want and need in your life and what’s taking up space and causing stress.
In a culture centered around accumulation, it can be easy to forget all that we already have. We’re pressured to buy the latest fashion, try out the newest kitchen tool, and invest in the most updated technology. What we own is supposed to predict who we are. While having so much abundance out our fingertips can remind us how lucky we are, in many cases it does the opposite. If you’re always thinking about what you don’t have, you’re forgetting what you do have. Not only that, but a cluttered environment can cause emotional heaviness; Closet Therapy™ podcaster Shaniece Jones suggests that the presence of clutter itself visually signals chaos to your brain. Decluttering becomes a process of regaining purpose in ownership and reminding you of what you actually need in life. The process can also remind you what really matters to you and help you take back control so you can live the life you truly want.
Gratitude Declutter: Ask Why
One of the simplest ways to start a gratitude declutter is to go through your things and ask yourself why. Why do I own this? Why did I buy this? Why do I want to keep it? Homing in on these questions as you sort through your belongings can tell you a lot about what’s really motivating your accumulation. It becomes easier to see what you’re grateful to have and what is simply taking up space. You might realize that half of what’s taking up the kitchen counter are things you bought because they looked useful, or because of an ad on social media. You might also realize that you have used it once, maybe, or not at all. It’s okay to have that realization, but once you do, take it as a sign to donate that item, gift it, or donate it. The habit of accumulating leads to a lack of control over your own environment and home. But it is something you can control of again through decluttering. You can perform a gratitude declutter anywhere in your home, whether it's sorting through clothes you bought and have never worn or to realizing the gadget your kid played with once and then forgot about doesn’t need to remain in the toy box. It can be easy to forget what your motivations were for purchasing something but asking yourself why you did and why you would keep it can help you create a space that’s more in line with you.
Picture Your Ideal Space
Another method of starting a gratitude declutter is to picture your ideal space. If you could wave a magic wand, what would you want to do with it? Chances are, your initial image is of a clean and tidy home, one that has all you need and brings you and your family comfort. There’s no chaos, and you are totally in control. Now, look around your home and imagine how you’d feel if everything in sight went away. What would you miss? For many people, having basic necessities is a miracle in itself. With this mindset, you can build from there. You don’t have to become an extreme minimalist to recognize that there’s more to life than just buying more, and that what you already have might actually be enough. Keep your ideal image in mind as you work towards your ideal space. Practice finding gratitude for what you already have rather than focusing on what you would add.
Resist the Temptation to Accumulate
Resisting the temptation to add more stuff to your space can be hard, especially as the holidays come up and you’re surrounded by incentives to buy more. TV ads, billboards, and social media campaigns are all designed to make you feel like you need something you don’t have, and that owning things is how you control your environment. The pressure can leave you feeling like there’s something lacking. Being aware of this, however, is the first step in changing your mindset. The next time you’re swiping through Instagram wishing you had a certain pair of boots or that expensive bag, think about what you do have, and what you’d do without it. You were doing just fine with the bag you have before you saw that ad, and you probably wouldn’t have thought you needed a new one in the first place if you weren’t told you did. Having the ability to question what you’re seeing and recognize what is actually happening to you can help you find gratitude for what you already own. You’re reminding yourself that there is more to the world than accumulation, and that collecting more things won’t automatically change how you live.
It’s natural in today’s world to be swept up in glamorous styles and the new technologies of the day. We want to fit in, and we want to feel as though we have enough. Part of organizing and decluttering involves defining what enough means for you. You deserve an environment that holds emotional safety for you and your loved ones. Taking ownership of what you own is just one step into creating a natural environment for you to thrive. Once you can decide for yourself that less is more, you’re on your way to a clean and organized home - one that’s defined and determined by you.