As sunlight begins to come through your windows again, you begin to shake off that sleepy-bear fog you've been living in all winter. Then you take a look around and ask yourself, "Gee, where did all this stuff come from?"
You don't remember acquiring it, but there it is, taking up lots of valuable space, collecting dust, and generally making your home look less inviting than it should be. And if looking at it makes you feel suddenly itchy, then it's time to throw it out.
Some people are anxious about throwing their belongings away. What if I need it? They might wonder. How can I possibly go through all of this? What if I make a mistake and toss something valuable?
Well, chances are, if you can't identify these mysterious valuable things that might be hiding in your clutter, then they probably aren't all that valuable. So have no fear.
And clearing out physical clutter can have an emotionally calming effect, too. It's a great way to revamp your lifestyle for the coming season.
By making space and order in your home, you might find that your mind will reflect the change. You'll feel more calm, collected, and in control, and it can be a great first step towards spring cleaning other, less tangible parts of your life.
Below, check out the things you can rid yourself of — and that you won't even notice are gone! As always, we suggest donating anything in good shape so someone else can enjoy it!
Will you be ridding your home of anything this spring? Let us know in the comments below!
What Should You Donate Or Toss? 1.) Excess Tupperware
Sure, it’s great to store leftovers, but how many of these do you really need? Are you saving all your takeout containers “just in case?"
Well, you probably don’t need that many, first of all.
Second of all, you probably own a number that are cracked (plastic doesn’t last forever) or have missing lids. Recycle your extras, and only keep the ones you use regularly.
2.) Vases
Vases like to just appear in your home. Many times, they come as gifts, but how often do you really use them? How many cut flower displays do you really have going at once?
If they’re collecting dust in a back cabinet, it’s time to get rid of them. Ask around at local schools and nursing homes to see if they have any need for them; they're great for DIY projects!
3.) Specific-Use Kitchen Utensils
If you cook a lot, you’re going to need kitchen tools. There’s no getting around that.
But when it comes to items that have a specific use like whisks, spatulas, ladles, and vegetable peelers, you really only need one of each. That also goes for sets of measuring cups and spoons.
If you find yourself with duplicates, get rid of the ones that you don't use. Your local soup kitchen would love to have them.
4.) Towels
A closet full of towels seems like a home staple, but is it?
Obviously, the more people in your household, the more towels you’ll go through. Plus, there are probably some thin, scratchy ones that you never use.
Monitor how many towels you use after a shower (you shouldn’t really need more than two), and how long you keep them out. Then get rid of your extras.
If they're in good shape, donate them to charity. If they're torn, worn, or stained, donate them to a local animal shelter to make some cuddly beds for animals in need.
5.) Makeup
If you wear makeup, you probably have some old, half-used stuff lying around.
If you never wear it, if it turned out to be the wrong color, or if you can’t remember even when you bought it, it’s time to throw it out. This is not something to donate — just chuck it.
As added incentive, old makeup can store bacteria and result in skin and eye irritation.
6.) Old Medicine
Old medicine is like old makeup, but even worse because it can make you really sick.
Look through your medicine cabinet and toss everything that’s past its expiration date. This also goes for creams, ointments, and the like.
However, prescription medicine cannot just be thrown in the trash, as it poses a very serious risk to our water and ecosystem.
Instead, be sure to take old medicine to your local pharmacist so they can properly dispose of it.
7.) Office Supplies
There’s a certain thrill in snagging a pile of notebooks or rolls of tape from the office. We know.
But if you’re not using it, then you might as well have left it in the office. If they haven’t been used, get rid of them.
Schools can always use notebooks, pencils, and the like, so consider donating them there.
8.) Old Magazines
Yeah, we know. You say you’ll read them again. Or that they’ll be great for that collage craft you’ve been planning for the past three years (your dear author is very guilty of this).
But if you haven’t looked at that stack of magazines, it’s time to let them go.
Like office supplies, schools will also often take these for use in art classes, where the collages will actually get made.
9.) Books
And the same goes for books. Yes, having books is wonderful. Books are wonderful. But not all of them.
If there’s a stack of pulpy romance novels that you haven’t looked at in years, or if you’re still hanging onto a now-outdated college textbook, it’s time to reassess your library.
If a book is in good shape and not too outdated, donate it to your local library or school. Otherwise, it's time for the recycling bin.
10.) Anything You're Saving "For A Special Occasion"
The “special occasion” is the universal excuse for hanging onto junk you don’t need and is taking up too much space.
The “special occasion” item could be anything that you kind of like, but have no immediate purpose for, and more often than not completely forget exists.
Unless you have a specific special occasion in mind, it’s time to part ways with it. Give it away or donate it if it's in decent shape.
Now, we know that was maybe a little harsh, but trust us, paring down your material possessions is awesome.
It's like removing a huge weight from your life and freeing up space for something new. And spring is the perfect time for it!
Be sure to SHARE these tips with your clutter-collecting friends and help them get the space and peace of mind they deserve!
