Oh, My. I did it again! In my spring cleaning effort, I ALMOST gave away over $500 worth of my husband's fishing rigs, hook, lines, and sinkers! The container that these items were in was a cooler like thing that I really thought was something given to my husband that he told me to give away next time I gathered contribution items for Good Will.
So, first mistake to avoid is being overly enthusiastic to clear out items that only you think you no longer use. Always check with everyone in the house before doing something irreversible.
Those things that are still salvageable and usable for someone else that only I had identified to give away were in a bag to be picked up by American Family Services. They called me on Monday to say they'd be in the neighborhood Wednesday. I put a container from the basement next to the bag thinking it would add too much bulk to the bag. Good thing I did that...
TheChimneyGuy pulled out of the driveway on his way to a job, saw the container and did a full out STOP, GRAB, and YELL! "What is this doing out here? Do you know what this contains?"
Second mistake to avoid is listen to your own gut! I was so relieved that he caught it, thinking of my regret if it was given away. Oh, My. And, now I know that that little voice in my head, call it intuition, call it a little crazy, isn't so crazy. I had this nudge to question putting this item out that I ignored.
My husband is more right than wrong any day! I was wrong not to check. AND, it's not the first time.
Third mistake to avoid divorce while decluttering: Don't give away hubby's favorite Christmas decorations that you dislike. Yes, there is a logical explanation. Plastic bags on doorknobs are useful for putting all manner of goods that are sorted into Trash, Giveaway, Put Away.
For years I did this periodically, whenever the mood struck me, which was never often enough for those I live with! So, after Christmas a few years ago, I found bags that I labeled give away and gave away. When next Christmas came around, my husband searched and searched for some decorations that he especially purchased the year before. NOWHERE to be found. I vaguely remembered disliking these, but didn't dare let him know at the time. Since that time, the disappearing candy ornaments are a true testament to how nothing can be hidden.
Fourth mistake to avoid, feeling regret or complaining about needing the item we just gave away or NOT giving because we MIGHT someday use that when we haven't for over a year. Freely give and you freely can receive.
Others have told me, even after agreeing to give away an item that is in good shape but no longer has real purpose in our household, that complaints about missing the item always occur afterward. So, when I do not use or wear an item for more than a year, it's time to offer it to someone else, even though I MIGHT use it in the future.
It is absolutely true that what you give comes back to you tenfold in a different way. I also am certain that someone else needed what we gave at the time that we gave it.
Fifth big mistake to avoid - Hoarding stuff can allow us to think we have more, but if it's not precious and useful to us on a regular basis, what good is stuff? It's a messy living room, hallway, bedroom, closet and kitchen cabinet that stands between me and sanity sometimes.
I no longer want to live carelessly and sloppily, allowing stuff to gather dust or pile up in my home.
De-clutter regularly. Communicate with your spouse and children about clutter. Give generously. Use your precious things wisely. I escaped a close call this week by salvaging something precious, a sincere desire to listen to intuition and to my husband more.
Best,
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