7 Items to Purge This Spring

Another year has passed, and once again Spring cleaning is upon us. It is amazing the amount of stuff that you can accumulate in a year when you look back over it. If you don’t usually purge during spring cleaning, you probably have several years of stuff just waiting for you to discard.

Why do we hold onto things we don’t need for so long?

There are a few different reasons. We get busy and don’t have time to go through it all and purge. Sometimes we feel like we need things we really don’t. We make up excuses to keep things rather than throw them away even when we aren’t using them. All the while we are accumulating new things that will take up space until we are being crowded out of our homes. It has to end.

This is your spring to finally get rid of some of these things. Here are some items you should consider throwing on your purge pile.

7 Items to Purge This Spring

1. Paperwork – Most of us hang onto old paperwork long after it is no longer useful to us. Living with a stack of paperwork is a great way to make you feel like you’re always behind the eight ball. Review what you must, and toss the rest.
2. Things you thought you’d use last spring – We are all guilty of holding onto things that we plan to use later. If the item in question is something you thought you’d use, but you’ve let another year pass and you’re STILL not using it, ditch it once and for all!
3. Clothes that do not fit anymore – Whether it is clothing you’re hoping to fit back into, or shrunk out of, if it doesn’t fit, you need get rid of it. Holding onto clothing that doesn’t fit anymore does nothing but take up closet space. It is time for you to let go of the past and deal with the wardrobe you have now.
4. Toys that nobody is playing with – Children are the absolute worst when it comes time to get rid of toys. They are NOT going to allow you to get rid of their favorite things. The best way to get around this is to sort through the toys when the kids are nowhere to be found. With old toys, it is out of sight, out of mind. They’ll never know it was you.
5. Gifts you have never used – Guilt will cause you to hold onto something you don’t want because you feel bad. Nowhere does this happen more frequently than with gifts you have received. Remember, not loving the gift does not mean that you don’t love the person. Get rid of the item, and keep on loving the person.
6. Old projects you have no intentions of finishing – I know you thought you were finally going to get your macrame skills in motion and rock out, but guess what? You didn’t do that (or tackle scrapbooking, or bracelet making or painting), and it is totally ok. If you have unfinished projects that are taking up space, they aren’t doing anything but making you feel guilty. Pack up the project, and send it on its way!
7. That weird tangle of cords – Every household has it, so there is no reason to be ashamed. That weird tangle of cords accumulates over time. Nobody knows what they belong to, whether they were supposed to be powering something or connecting a device. It is safe to say that if you were going to use the cords, they would have been used by now. Bag those bad boys up, and toss them in the trash where they can never confuse you again.

Clearing the clutter in your house is a great way to free up space in your mind and heart. Worried you won’t be able to tackle this project – set attainable goals for yourself and get it done. You don’t have to walk around your house batting things that no longer serve you out of the way. Get rid of that stuff for good!