It's Spring! Get Rid Of Everything? Nope, Not This Year!

Happy Spring! I like many of you reading have been waiting eagerly for the official day of spring to arrive. Now, that it is here we can start the fun in cleaning everything out. Starting from under the beds, to the closets, and can't forget the attic or garage. As you realize you start getting excited and questions start to overflow. yes, Shopping Trip! What do I get rid of? What am I going to do with everything?

These questions may seem easy if we are just doing what we do every year. Toss It with no questions asked giving every reason in the book. Its old, I never used it, never wore it, I gained some weight over the lock down or maybe you started a new regimen and lost some weight, maybe its just as simple as I need something new. These all have their own backstory to why you toss it, but this year is the year to be more mindful in our doings. Do not make this year like every other and rid everything out of just because. If we all learned something from this pandemic, it is to be more mindful in what we toss and what we spend our money on. Instead of tossing first, see if you can put your items to use again, try to sell it, maybe a friend could use it, or even a stranger just don't toss it.

Once you have gone through everything, see what you can do with what you have. Then if you are still in need to go on a shopping trip for yourself before you do see what money you can get back on the items you are getting rid of that you still have on hand. Like last year’s wardrobe or your rack of shoes that been sitting their for past year with the possible tag or two on some. Do this for everyone in the family bring it to a consignment shop or try out the online version called ThredUp they take gently worn woman's, junior's, and children's clothing.

Also, before you go running to any store on any given day look for the sales. If you do rewards check your apps see what percentages they are at use all that you can to save this year. I know its that time of year again where tax returns and now the new thing of stimulus money are all going out and some people have already received their extra funds. That does not mean go splurge. The money you were going to spend on a new wardrobe, and shoes you will probably wear once, or buy new furniture just because… Go put that money towards your next vacation or maybe it is your first vacation, pay down those student loans, car and mortgage payments, or start on a savings account you never know what life can throw at you. Thank you, 2020. For making that very clear.

The money you make from the items you already have and getting rid of can go towards your new outfits, but instead of going on some huge shopping spree see what it is like to be a minimalist only get what need and buy mindfully keep your home decluttered this year. Do not buy a bunch of things solely based on what you want to accomplish this year because as you may have already noticed, we do not always get around to doing everything we want to. That said, it is good to pick 1 or 2 things to add to your home be sure to use those items first then add more if you want to. I am not saying do not buy anything new, just be mindful and when you buy make sure to use it.

As your furniture goes this is something that does not have to be replaced every year or even every 2 years. Furniture is something that can easily be freshened up and restored. Take some time out of your day and freshen up your old furniture and make it like new again with your own spark to it. Change up the color or maybe turn it into something new. There are tons of different ideas out there for example: take a tall dresser and turn it into a bookshelf or make it into a wardrobe and try to change your room around like never before. The point is when cleaning out this season do not be in a rush to just toss everything, you may actually find good use for these items or realize you can get money back and can put it towards the new items you really want. There maybe no need to spend at all or as much of your incoming funds.

This season do something different. Learn from the past year and previous years. Make 2021 the start of a year to living more mindfully and getting more out of life.