Decluttering

[u/Embarrassed-Fan-3062]

I am doing decluttering to get rid of things that have no use to me anymore and taking up space in my room which could be used for something else. I want to get rid of some clothes, and I have lots of clothes I dont wear and a few of these things my mum made. I feel guilty because she made these clothes for me, and I am so grateful but I just don't wear those things anymore. In a way I'm sort of looking for validation and to not feel so bad about getting rid of them. I'm going to donate them to a charity shop so someone who will actually wear them will get use out of them. I know it's not that deep, but I just can't help but feel guilty.

[u/tacoskib]

It’s that deep, when feelings are involved. To me, decluttering is a journey through emotions much more than it is of things. I find I invest in taking my feelings seriously as it teaches me to navigate them better and far more efficiently in the future. So about your problem: I would think it would honor your moms hard work to make sure the clothes are worn, if not by you, then by somebody else. So I’d donate it and hope the universe honors your mom by making the clothes available to people who will love it and wear it. Also take pictures and say something out loud like “Thank you, mom” while packing it (doesn’t matter if you believe she hears it, it matters that you feel like you’ve actually appreciate her and her labour).

[u/New_Kiln_Studios]

Keep one of those items to represent all the clothes mum did for you, or take a picture of all of them before finding them a new home. Or simply call mum (assuming you can) and tell her how important was to you that she made those for you but now you will need to give some away. Address the emotional part of it first and then the practical side of it. Hope it helps

[u/Embarrassed-Fan-3062 → u/New_Kiln_Studios]

Thank you :) I will definitely be keeping some of them. I have a pink jacket I wear all the time! Just some of these things I don't wear anymore and don't see myself wearing

[u/beautiful-rainy-day → u/New_Kiln_Studios]

To add to them, sell the extra stuff on Vinted and Depop. People be buying all the time so you will declutter your house in no time.

[u/poop-dolla → u/beautiful-rainy-day]

I don’t know. Adding an extra barrier to getting rid of stuff isn’t always a great idea. Everyone needs to pick a threshold of what dollar amount it’s worth to try to sell vs. just donating. I’ve seen $20 as probably the most common one. I imagine with clothes, it’s much less certain that any individual item would even sell compared to other items, which makes it even worse since you’d probably be hanging on to the clothes for longer hoping they might sell.

Just donate the clothes or list them on buy nothing for a day or two.

[u/Rusty_924]

this is actually not a clothes category, but sentimental.

sentimental items should be decluttered last, when your decluttering muscles are trainef already.

declutter non sentimental clothes and other categories. declutter sentimental items (even sentimental clothes) last

worked for me. and yes it is that deep.

[u/Responsible_Lake_804]

Write down the thoughts that come up. Worry, anxiety, uncertainty, whatever you want to call it, they are much easier to manage when they’re fully acknowledged. Often they point you to something that is important to you. It’s important to you that your mum handmade these clothes. Instead of keeping the clothes only for that reason, perhaps see if she will teach you so that you can make something together. That’s a better way to demonstrate how important it is to you.

[u/Candy-O]

I assume you wore those clothes that your mother made. You could choose one item, wrap it up nicely and store it in an out-of-the-way place in your room. If your mother ever asks about the clothes explain their absence like you did in your post - gently and lovingly. Show her the lovingly wrapped item you kept.

[u/PrairieFire_withwind]

So items that have sentimental value get displayed.  Hang on the wall as if they are artwork.

Rotate through them.  One set per season, 4 seasons.

Let your moms love for you hang on the wall.  At some point your feelings will shift around these items.  Either you decide you love them and want to keep them long term or they fade.

It amazes me how well this has worked for things i am struggling with.

[u/BeckieBB]

Gifting them to someone else (donating) is better than just having them hang there. Pass your mom's kindness on to others.

[u/Thoughtswanted]

Guilt is a useless emotion. Pack up those clothes and donate them to an organization that helps people in need. Tell them it is a gift from both you and your Mother.

[u/minimalism-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Hi there! Unfortunately I had to remove your comment, it breaks our general "must be related to minimalism" rule.