Learning my definition of clean and clear has been such a rollercoaster over the years going into my young adulthood. Being a mother now I feel as though it has really sparked a desire to clear everything out that no longer serves me and make room for bigger and better things and trust that letting go serves my higher good. I think having grown up lower income and culturally, women around me constantly kept all their clothes, old Tupperware, and anything else they spent their hard earned money on. Keeping clothes with tags for occasions that never arrived, I am choosing a path more intentional. I think partially keeping all these old things that no longer serve us can also keep us stagnant in ways or this sense of feeling I might need that one shirt one day as if I'm missing out in some way. I am trying my best to ask myself what do I need and what can I let go of with no guilt. 90% of the time once it's gone I don't remember it which says a lot. I am trying to set rules for myself that I stand by that seem simple enough to follow but doesn't make me feel like I am forcing myself to rid of things that I'm not ready to part with. Like if I didn't wear it in the last 6-9 months I need to let it go. it gives me a good timeline to give myself a chance to really wear it again or if I know I won't then its easy to let go. Over the last 2 months I have been taking Depop more serious, selling clothes for cheap and getting whatever money I can get and trying to keep what's sitting at a minimum. Whatever doesn't sell in a month I try to set a day aside to take the items down to consignment stores as a last effort and then whatever they don't take I'm straight to the goodwill or value village.
There are so many areas I want to start over and redo in many aspects, for example I would love to start over my kitchen appliances and have a simple stainless steel set for pots and pans and knives. I can't believe 21 year old me really thought it was smart purchasing all cheap gold color kitchen utensils was cute. Now they're all discolored and chipped smh. I really love that this day of age simplicity is being promoted as a sense of luxury vs maximalism how it used to be.
Decluttering for the sentimental being is very difficult, I find value and memories in everything, and you just cant seem to simply throw stuff away that you spent your hard earned money on.
I love saving things for my future children but Im practicing practicality and intentional spending. Keeping things that are timeless and will be cherished. Clothes is something I find really difficult to let go of, my mom saved for 23 years almost all of my baby Jordan's for gods sake. As my children grow I am trying to sell and keep their clothes in a healthy rotation, it serves nobody keeping all these simple Carter and Old Navy onesies in storage.
I am planning that by my 26th year around the sun to have the intentional items I desire to maintain and have let go of all things that have no place and no purpose.