
You’re doing your very best to live with less, yet the possibility of a once in a blue moon occasion pops into your head. How many items are you holding onto just in case you need them in the future? I’ve found that the best way to enjoy the journey to living light is to stay in the present moment. What do you actually use and love right now? Here are four conscious living tips that help me release those “just in case” items and free myself of clutter.
Stop Romanticizing The Past
There are countless times where I briefly thought that it may have been nice to have had something that I gave away after decluttering. This moment lasts for a minute or two before remembering why I had given it away in the first place. Most of the time I was romanticizing the item not remembering that it was broken, made poorly, or that I really did not feel that good in it while wearing it. Romanticizing the past is an ego based technique to simply distract you from the current moment.
Embody An Abundance Consciousness
If there is something that you need that you decluttered, know that you can always get it again. When we keep things in fear that we don’t even use, we are unconsciously affirming lack in our lives. An abundance consciousness is knowing that if you ever need anything all of your needs will be met even if you don’t know how.
In 2010 I donated a tripod that I wasn’t using. Now six years later I realized that it would be beneficial to have one again. I then remembered that I had $50 credit at a local camera supply store from a few years back that had no expiration date.
When I first got this credit I had no idea exactly what I would use it for. The tripod that I have now is much better quality than my previous one. There was actually no need to hold onto something I wasn’t using at the time just in case for six years later.
Live In The Present
I remember when I felt wearing leather wasn’t the best route for my environmental efforts, so I purchased vegan leather products and donated or sold every leather item I owned except one pair of boots. Then after doing some research, I learned about the toxicity of PVC and vegan leather. I then decided to focus on only purchasing second hand leather products.
There have been days when I think of all the amazing high quality leather shoes that I donated/sold that actually fit my narrow feet. Then I wake up to the fact that most of those shoes where actually high heels. I don’t even want to wear high heels anymore like I used to. Our desires in life change as we grow and change. Realizing what our present desires are should 100% coorelate with everything we decide to keep or donate when decluttering.
Define Minimalist Living For Yourself
Everyone embarks on the minimalist lifestyle for different reasons. My initial goal was to pay off $20,000 of debt which I did, and I have remained debt-free with my conscious lifestyle conditioning. Others choose this path to have the freedom to travel year round with minimal possessions. Some desire to save for a tiny house and only have the true necessities to put in it. Then there are those who just want to enjoy the beauty of a serene decluttered home.
No matter what your reason is, don’t compare your journey to others. Minimalist living isn’t a race and it has absolutely nothing to do with what others show you on a screen. Minimalist living should cater to your most innate dreams and goals and no one else’s. Living with only what you love is the best way to get one step closer to the love filled life you want to live.
Free yourself of the notion of “just in case”!
(Image by Dawn Michelle)
Anna says
Hi Dawn, great post. “Just in case” can be a real hurdle to overcome when trying to declutter!
I also struggle a bit with “donation regret” for a different reason – jealousy. I have some beautiful clothes that just don’t suit me or fit well, but I fear that if I give them away someone else will rock them and I’ll be envious. Isn’t that ridiculous?! I’m ashamed to admit it. It’s almost a case of “if I can’t look good in it, no one can!” when really I should be happy that my clothes are getting used to their full potential, and that someone else is finding joy in wearing them.
Dawn Michelle says
Thanks Anna!
How awesome that you are able to pinpoint this emotion. Once discovered it is always much easier to release it. If you don’t feel good in clothing you are donating, you are making room for the items that will make you feel amazing. You will also get one step closer to cultivating your personal style and curating your wardrobe. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on this!
margo says
Thank you for some great tips, “The life changing magic of tidying up ” is a wonderful help, the advice of “only keep things that spark joy” is such a good guide. …..there is no just in case.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Margo,
That book is one of my absolute favorites! It is definitely the BEST decluttering methods I’ve ever come across! There definitely is no “just in case” when you are only keeping what sparks joy in your life.
Sandy says
Great ideas once again.
I just got rid of 1/2 closet worth of stuff. First, I put the questionable things in a dark colored bag over a month period. By the time the Goodwill truck arrived, I was confident I could get rid of the whole bag. I tied the bag up without looking at its content.
To this day, I can’t itemize what was in that bag. I can’t and don’t care to remember. But now I have such a good feeling about my closet. The best lesson from this: it’s so much easier for me to let go of things.
Thanks so much Dawn for talking about this topic. All your many blog posts on this topic has helped me so much.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Sandy,
Thanks so much! Sounds like you really downsized your wardrobe immensely. Congrats!!! With everything that we own having its own energy, it feels so much better to only have what we feel good about around us. I’m so glad the decluttering articles have been helpful to you too!
Anna says
Hi Dawn
Thanks for your reply. I like your way of thinking about it – it’s true that being self-aware is essential to self-development!
On another note, I wish the replies in your comments section would ‘nest’ under the original comment to make them easier to follow. Otherwise, I love the layout of your blog : )
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Anna,
Thanks for your comment and I do know what you mean about the layout of the comments. Although I’ve designed my site, I’m not sure how to modify the comment section at this time. Right now I have been working with it as provided by the theme. Have a great day!
Mo C says
Thank You <3
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Mo C,
Thanks for stopping by and I’m glad this resonated with you. Best wishes!