Often as part of a life transition, especially a move, there comes a sudden awareness that our lives and our living spaces are filled with “too much stuff.” Maybe you’ve watched a child try to get rid of outgrown toys. They examine each one, remember the engaging play and grow wistful before they reluctantly part with it.

 

After urging them to hurry, you step into your oversized garage and notice there are no vehicles in there. Only stuff. The stuff is stacked, wedged and piled. The burden of it all is apparent.

 

Most folks don’t suffer from a hoarding disorder, but there are still psychological aspects of why we keep what we do, even when it no longer serves us. Continuing to ignore it can be tempting. It can also be tempting to call a hauler and just be done with it (you know, just point and it floats away in a sparkling orb, then reconstitutes in the landfill).

 

Once you face the need to declutter, there is actually joy to be found. Editing your belongings involves a little walk through your household’s history and includes encounters with altruism and generosity. It should come as no surprise that there are proven mental health benefits that come with a tidy home; bringing order to your surroundings is known to ease anxiety and promote a healthy outlook.

 

There are many ways to gift, swap or sell your stuff, effectively facilitating its reuse. You may want to make a few bucks by having a garage sale or by offering more valuable items, like furniture, in a consignment shop. Facebook Marketplace is another popular place to post and dispose of excess belongings.

 

There are many good organizations that use donations to support their ambitions. The East Bay has easy access to the classic thrift stores like Goodwill and Out of the Closet. The Oakland Zoo accepts edible tree branches and other “enrichment” items for the animals. The SPCA can use your old sheets, towels and blankets. Even eyeglasses and bras have charities that will love your castoffs.

 

The Freecycle community makes it easy to connect with others who will cherish your unwanted items. Craigslist is always an option. If you’re not already a member, Nextdoor offers a reason to join with neighborhood specific options. Dedicated to conservation, Buy Nothing groups, part of the “gift economy” facilitate hyperlocal gifting and raise awareness of how little we actually need to buy.

 

Then there’s the old local standby, putting it out on the curb. Please note, this is not strictly legal! It’s best if you alert the community through one of the plentiful posting opportunities, and always find another option for disposal if the item is still there after a day or two. Left over from an earlier Berkeley era, the Wishing Well free box is well-maintained and brings it up a notch.

 

Red Oak is a Green Certified business, so of course, we support basic recycling. We can offer resources for downsizing and decluttering, and may even find new homes for your unwanted belongings. Contact us.