How Generosity Makes Decluttering Easier - Lisa E Betz

Do you find yourself caught between the guilt of too much clutter and the guilt of getting rid of perfectly good items? If so, this simple mindset shift will free you from those feelings of guilt and enable you to declutter with confidence and peace of mind.

The first step in this mindset shift is to acknowledge that all we have is a gift from God—including our stuff. Therefore, we aren’t called to stockpile our possessions, but to manage them wisely and use them to accomplish good works and further the kingdom.

Sometimes that means giving them away.

A new mindset to overcome guilt and make decluttering easier

Here’s the mindset shift that can help us declutter more easily and with joy instead of regrets:

See each thing you own as an instrument of God’s blessing.

Doing so can turn a mindset of “What must I get rid of?” to a mindset of “How can this item bless someone most effectively?”

Much of what we own is actively blessing our household—from everyday items to sports equipment to the art and knickknacks that make our surroundings beautiful and homey. BUT, that leaves plenty of stuff in our homes that could be a more effective blessing to someone else.

What keeps me stuck in decluttering guilt?

When it comes to decluttering, there are some common obstacles that keep people from getting rid of their stuff. Some of those obstacles revolve around the guilt of being wasteful or the fear of not having enough. For example:

• I’m saving this for my kids/grandkids
• This is still perfectly good, so why would I want to get rid of it?
• I might need it someday
• This cost too much to just give it away
• I plan on getting around to this someday

The rest of this post will take a closer look at the five objections above and illustrate how the mindset that each item is a potential blessing can help you let go without guilt or regrets.

Declutter objection #1: I’m saving this for my kids/grandkids

After my grandson was born, I ventured into our attic to go through the boxes of baby items I’d been saving, only to find whole piles of discolored baby blankets and cute clothes with crispy, no-good elastic. Yuck! What a waste of items that could have been a blessing to someone else if I had given them away twenty years ago!

While keeping a handful of favorite (and sturdy) toys makes sense, consider giving the rest away while the items are still useful, in style, and up to current safety standards.

Declutter objection #2: This is still perfectly good, so why would I want to get rid of it?

You have items that are in great condition? All the better to give them away when they are at their peak usefulness. The more value they have to someone who need them, the more you are blessing others.

Think how foolish it is to keep items you don’t need or hardly use for years and years, until they are mildewed or so out of date nobody wants them. Don’t make that mistake! Be a blessing now by giving away what you don’t use while it’s still in great shape.

Declutter objection #3: I might need it someday

You might, but then again, you might not.

Does it make sense to keep things you don’t need in the off chance you might need them someday, when there are others who could make good use of that object right now?  

Ask yourself: How can this item be most effective in delivering God’s blessings? Is this object blessing you by taking up space in your closet? Wouldn’t it be a more effective blessing if you gave it away to someone who actually has a use for it?

Declutter objection #4: This cost too much to just give it away

No matter the original price tag, an item in your house that provides no value to you is worthless. If it isn’t functioning for you like you expected, or you no longer need it in your season of life, the item isn’t living up to its potential. Instead of subjecting yourself to the guilt of seeing it go unused and unappreciated, consider how much this wonderful item could bless someone else.

An example: Several local charities collect prom dresses and wedding dresses. Those dresses cost a pretty penny, but think how much they can bless some eager young girl rather than sitting ignored and unworn in our closets.

Declutter objection #5: I plan on getting around to this someday

We all have those times where we aspired to begin a new hobby, exercise routine, or interest. But then the motivation faded, or life got in the way. And all we’re left with is a pile of supplies and equipment, and a healthy dose of guilt.

Instead of allowing our aspirations to clutter up our lives and our homes, we can come to terms with the fact we’ve changed our priorities or changed our minds. Therefore, we can give ourselves permission to give up those outdated aspiration and instead donate those supplies or equipment to someone who will get hours of joy and delight out of them.

How can your clutter become someone else’s blessing?

I hope these mindset shifts will help you ditch the guilt of giving perfectly good stuff away and instead find delight in blessing others with your generosity.

It’s a win-win in my book.