I have always been a minimalist at heart, long before I had any idea it was a “thing”. When I am stressed, one of my favorite ways to redirect that stress is to go organize something and donate (or re-purpose in some way) what I am no longer using. I do recognize this is weird, but my sister does the same thing, so we must somehow come by it honestly. This picture is my guest room. It is important to me that it be both welcoming and uncluttered, so I try to keep it nice. The more I look at this photo, I notice that the veil on the mirror looks cluttered. Does it need to go?
I saw this article, What I Learned From Purging Most of My Stuff (and Why I Wish I Hadn’t), on Facebook. Obviously I had to read it. The author misses things that had sentimental value to her after she downsized her home. It made me sad for her, and made me wonder if I’m inspiring people to do something they may regret. I can’t say that missing things is something I’ve never feared happening, but I’m not an overly sentimental person. I can usually get rid of anything and not miss it.
Sometimes when I get rid of something, I get these oddly sentimental feelings about it. “Oh, I wore this old shirt (you know, the one time I ever touched it) that time I had an epiphany in Starbucks.” I also worry absurdly about stuffed animals being lonely (I blame Toy Story and the Velveteen Rabbit for this one). I can generally realize how absurd that sounds and get rid of the shirt or old toy. That said, I do have a plastic box full of old letters, journals, and random objects of no value to anyone except me. The dried corsage my late great-grandmother made me for my senior prom and the rock my mother painted when she was a child are two examples. I wonder how I would feel if I lost that box. I don’t look through it often, but it makes me smile when I do.
Today I picked out two bags of objects to donate (plus some items went to the trash and recycling). A few things were tough, but it was a few hours ago and I’m already over it. My donation will be worth a $78 tax deduction, and that is a sweet bonus.
I feel good that I got rid of these things. I struggle with anxiety, and I thrive on the clarity of knowing I don’t have useless things taking up space in my home or my mind.
Have you gotten rid of things you later regretted?
Jillian
I am in my thirties, which is hard to believe. Time goes by fast. Since that is the case, I have decided to write about it. If I can't slow it down, I can at least share with others and get help along the way! 
How To Be Myself 