The linen closet is a funny place. Old sheets, towels, blankets,
pillow cases and comforters have a way of retiring in this space. I
remember one client being astounded at the layers of old linens she kept
finding under the new stuff.
What I'll need you to do
is take everything out of the linen closet and put it on the floor.
Take a few seconds to gaze at the open space in the closet. There's a
peacefulness about open space. It can make your breath relax.
Pick
up the first item and ask yourself, "Do I love this sheet?" "Is this
towel comfortable?" "Does this blanket feel old?" "Am I holding onto
this quilt because my grandmother made it even though I don't like or
use it?" "Am I actually using this pillow case?" You're looking for the
first feeling that comes to you. "Does this make me feel good, or can I
let it go?"
I had one client who had brand new sheets
and pillowcases that were still in their plastic container. She was
hesitant to make a decision about them. Then she admitted that she
didn't like the sheet set and she felt badly that she'd spent the money.
I said that hanging onto the sheets would be a constant reminder of the
situation. There would be more relief in giving the sheet set to
charity. She liked that idea and went with it.
I worked
with another client who discovered that all her towels were old and
tattered and didn't feel good on her body. She got rid of them and went
shopping later that day for new towels.
Non-linen stuff often gets discovered in the linen closet. Sometimes long forgotten extraneous items show up. Don't put anything that doesn't fit the linen, towel, sheet grouping (or associated items) back in the closet. It helps to keep similar items together. It's easier on the heart and mind.
You can donate
sheets, towels, pillow cases, blankets and comforters. It will be a
relief to get them out of your house, and it will feel good to give them
to a charity.
You're learning to take an honest
inventory of your home. You're home has a profound effect on how you
feel. Finding and letting go of the things that are no longer a part of
your life will make you feel good.
If you need some
help with this work, you can contact me to set up an Skype or facetime
clutter bust. It goes quicker than you imagined. I'm at
brooks@clutterbusting.com
(This has been a revamped clutter busting blog post blast from the past!)