Before Decluttering Read This
it might not be the best thing to do.
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It is 2021, a much-awaited year. Lifestyles such as minimalism and declutter are on the rise. We are confined to our homes due to the COVID-19 restrictions, and we are becoming more aware of things we don’t need anymore. And the things we never needed. We have more time to realize what life is all about and make much-needed changes in our lives.
From watching decluttering videos on YouTube I have gathered environmental issues are making people make drastic changes in their lives. It is kind of scary, however, watching people get rid of so much.
It might inspire some of us to follow the same path. Because minimalism and decluttering not only create more physical space in our homes — they can also help us reconnect with the people that we love. It is a win-win in a society where depression is on the rise.
However, if we are going to declutter, let's first think about where all the clutter we do not want might go. It sounds great and perhaps selfless when we say, “I am donating all of this.” But what happens with the clutter we donate?
Having worked in the non-profit industry for over five years, I saw many trucks filled with stuff arrive at our thrift store almost daily. The staff was overwhelmed with the number of things they had to sort every day. Many things had to be thrown away because they were in poor condition. Still, other items had to be thrown away despite their good condition because they sat on the floor too long without sparking customers' interest.
Space had to be constantly made for the stuff that never stopped coming.
That was over 10 years ago.
Lifestyles such as minimalism and decluttering were nowhere near the horizon.
Donating our stuff does not necessarily mean that we choose the lesser evil. In fact, the amount of textile waste in the United States has increased significantly in recent years. In 2018 alone, 11,300 tons of textile waste was landfilled. https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/textiles-material-specific-data
Just because we are not…
