Chances are, you have tons of stuff. (We all do—admit it.) In your house, in your closet, in your car, and probably even in your head. No doubt, you have the urge to purge a great deal of it, but you’re at the point where you don’t know where to begin—and besides, it’s really good stuff.
So what’s the problem? “If you want to grow, you gotta let go,” says Gail Blanke, the author of a new book called Throw Fifty Things Out. Sure, that stuff can seem comforting. But “clutter blurs clarity.” That’s why Gail advocates chucking 50 (yes, 50!) things and then, when you feel how freeing that is, getting rid of 50 more. The program she’s created is part inspiration and part blueprint for a simpler, more focused life. It’s also (in an odd way) fun—something you can do alone, with family (as a fresh spin on spring cleaning), or even with girlfriends. But before you order a dumpster, here’s how it works:
- If the thing is weighing you down or just taking up space—adding nothing positive to your life—get rid of it.
- Start with material things (outdated shoes, old prescriptions) then progress to emotional baggage (your perfectionism, your anxiety over little things).
- Don’t agonize over every decision. When in doubt, toss.
- Don’t be afraid. You won’t have less security when this is over; you’ll have more freedom.
- Donate, recycle, or sell as much as you can. It’ll make you feel even better.
Oh, incidentally, each “thing” only counts if it’s a distinct entity. So you can’t pitch all those back copies of Glamour you’ve been hoarding and claim you’re done. That only counts as one. But if this exercise results in a bad relationship or destructive habit finally getting the heave-ho, then your other 49 things can be relatively inconsequential. You might just find that when you get to the emotional junk, that’s when this power-wash approach to life can really start gathering steam. Call out a regret, a fear, a worry, a failure, a relationship…and say to yourself, “I’m throwing this out.”
The ultimate goal of throwing out 50, 100, or even 250 things is not to make sure the house is ready for summer visitors but rather to tidy up your life so you can better see where you want to be. Letting go of the past—whether it’s represented by old LPs and cassettes or your own insecurities—is one of the best ways to do this.
Want to know more about the book and concept? Check out throwoutfiftythings.com.
Have a Happy Independence Day week end!
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