As we prepare to ring in the new year and think about our resolutions for 2024, there are memories, accomplishments, and prized possessions that we’ll bring with us; however, certain things will be left in the past.
Whether you live in a single-family home in Denver, CO, or a Chicago, IL apartment, this Redfin article shares expert advice on what you’ll want to consider before getting rid of things, the benefits that come with it, and what to consider getting rid of.
In doing so, we hope that you discover a serene space where you can achieve your 2024 resolutions. Now, let’s get started.
The benefits of getting rid of things before 2024
Navigating the year ahead can be more accessible by shredding baggage and unnecessary clutter and finding an overall freeness within your day-to-day living arrangement.
Tina Falk, founder of VIA Feng Shui, shares, “If things in your space aren’t positively supporting you, it’s time to let go.” She adds that as you reflect on what is occupying your space, it should add value, and we should “feel uplifted by what we see.”
Cynthia Lee Chan, a Colorado classical feng shui practitioner, shares how “there are energy cycles (chi) that flow through our bodies and environments.” By clearing blockage (such as clutter) to this flow, Cynthia states that “mental clarity can be promoted, and you’ll pave the way for a more harmonious life with yourself and those around you.”
Strategies and tips to consider before getting rid of things
Before searching for things to get rid of throughout your house, consider implementing a strategy. Here are a few ideas.
Try the five natural elements strategy
Christina Galloway, feng shui and design consultant for Santo Sage suggests “clearing your space using the five natural elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.” These five elements can be found in items such as loose paper, power cables and cords, bedding, electronics, or glassware. Plan to check areas such as “surfaces, walls, and closets” for items, as mentioned by Paula Russell, founder and owner of M&D Organizers.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Getting rid of things doesn’t have to be a taxing, lonesome task. Lisa with The Chaos Ninja recommends “asking for help” and shares that “besties are honest company.” Having a trusted friend give you their thoughts on something that may be hard to part with can make the job easier.
Consider rehoming your items
Rehoming your items is something to keep in mind, and Connor Chytraus, co-founder of Happy Homes, shares that “lightly used items can be donated.” Ines Cohron, the owner of Total Home Cleaning, adds that we should “create an organization method that “separates items to be donated, trashed, and kept into separate piles.”
Try repairing items
For those a little more handy, before recycling or tossing broken items such as appliances, Chris Armani, master of feng shui for Saint Louis Feng Shui, suggests “attempting to repair the item. However, remove broken items that symbolize unresolved issues and slow the positive energy flow in your space.”
Meet these requirements
In feng shui, Elizabeth Aley, feng shui consultant with Align & Design Feng Shui, shares that “there are three requirements that items you decide to keep should meet.” Those requirements are:
- You must need it
- You must use it
- You must love it
8 Things to consider getting rid of
Now that you know where to search, how to organize, and what potential benefits can follow, here are a few ideas for things to get rid of before 2024.
1. Decaying plants and scattered yard items
Miyoko Fuse of Home Esteem suggests starting your endeavors in the front yard. She states, “Remove planters with dead or welted plants and other unnecessary items.”
2. Unnecessary mail
Once inside your home, one of the easiest piles of clutter to remove is “all that mail on your countertop,” says certified feng shui consultant of MonShui, Pamela Smith.
3. Books you didn’t love
For avid book readers who couldn’t resist a beautifully designed cover but weren’t too captured by the storyline, Katie McAllister with Susquehanna Organizing suggests adding those to your donation pile.
4. Unused kitchen utensils
If you’ve ever found yourself searching for a spatula, but you either have a collection or the one you own is buried beneath many other kitchen utensils, Susan Domelsmith Cabral with Clear Space Feng Shui suggests “donating items that block you from easily opening drawers.”
5. Discard wire hangers
Most mornings start in the closet; Karen Buschini with In Its Place Organizing suggests “discarding wire hangers and replacing them with uniform ones.” Check with your local dry cleaner to see if they’ll take them back and reuse them.
6. Assess your wardrobe
Continuing with the closet theme, Sean Sullivan, feng shui practitioner for Tulocay Feng Shui, recommends “asking yourself if you’ve worn an item in the past year, or if you will ever wear it again.” Additionally, Ashley Nariman, owner of Clear Spaces Organizing Co., suggests to those gifted apparel during the holiday season to replace the old with the new rather than add to an ever-growing collection.
7. Recycle unused tech products
For those guilty of hoarding iPhone boxes or old, outdated tech products, Aqeelah Rahim with Maid Kept suggests letting these items go. If you need help recycling them properly, check with your local tech store, such as BestBuy, as they often have recycling programs.
8. Forgotten garage items
Alexis Summerfield, feng shui consultant, reminds us how the garage is a part of the house. Therefore, it shouldn’t be overlooked when getting rid of things before the new year.
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