We feel SO much guilt around items that have been gifted to us.
Reasons for this could be that:
That person is special to us.
That person has deceased.
That person spent a TON OF MONEY on this item.
What if the person finds out that you got rid of it?
The truth of the matter is, with very few exceptions, Gifts should be treated like all other items. If the item is not serving you, or its purpose, it needs to go.
How do you know if an item is serving you?
You can find your answer by asking yourself these questions:
1. Do you like it?
Do you like the way this item looks? Do you like what this item does? (ie: someone gave you a foot massager but you hate things touching your feet.)
2. Does it make you feel happy?
Or, does it make you feel sad, or angry? Does it remind you of a really stressful or upsetting time/event?
3. Does it work?
Is this item broken in any way? Have you been planning to fix it but will probably never get around to it?
4 Can you use it?
ie: Your parents bought you a big, beautiful, TV when you bought your first house in 2002. But, it doesn't have an HDMI hook up; which you need; and you already have a TV mounted on your wall.
5. Will you use it?
Be honest. Can you utilize this gift right now? Or put it on display?
6. Do you have room for it?
Can you store this without compromising space for other items?
If you made it through this list and all of your answers were "Yes", then that means you have been gifted an item that you can use or put on display right now, that is in working condition, makes you feel good, and it has a home both while in use and not in use. Nice!
If you answered "No" to 1 or more of these questions,
then you may have a gift that isn't giving.
It is time to offload that item, and you will feel so much better once you do.
Let go of the guilt of gifts, and make space for the things that make you feel good!
You can make these hard decisions by answering these questions honestly.
And if you are feeling really stuck, hire a Professional Organizer to guide you through the process. We are here to help!
Sorting For Serenity, Albany, NY
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