31 Days of Fall Fun (Day 6): Donate to Charity

Autumn to me is a transitional period meant for cleaning out and letting go. Often while we’re off enjoying ourselves it’s easy to forget how much we’ve already been given. Right around this time of year I like to take time to be grateful of not only the basics but the extras that we’ve been lucky enough to receive…and it also helps me decide which of those blessings I can pass along to others by donating things that we no longer need. So while cleaning out and boxing up your blessings is not always fun, you can get a great sense of satisfaction from giving back.

With the wedding coming up and me having to move much of my bigger furniture into my fiance’s place early (although I myself will not be moving in with my fiance until after we’re married) it’s be an opportune time to clean out my stuff. It’s revitalizing.

But if you’re like me sometimes I have a hard time letting go of my belongings because as much as it’s good to let go sometimes we tend to hold onto more than what we need because  we either feel like we still need it or just keep telling ourselves that we’ll use it eventually.

Here’s one of my boxes! All Packed up and ready to go!

Here are some tips to help you let go of items and get them ready for donation:

• Have you used it in the last 6 months? If not, donate!
• Does it not fit, a gift that’s not really your style or color? Donate
• Take Inventory- what would you replace if all of it was gone? The stuff you wouldn’t replace gets donated!
• Get rid of duplicates! It amazes me how often I get doubles and even triples of some things as gifts or because I forget that I have it. If I have surplus then some of it’s getting donated!
• Find your clutter crannies and clear them out. Drawers, closets, room corners, that cabinet you haven’t opened in forever go through there and see if there are any items in good shape for donating.
• Try not to do your whole house at once. Take it room by room to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
• Embrace the OHIO Rule (Only Handle It Once) Don’t make a maybe pile, be decisive yes or no!
• Only donate helpful items…not trash. If it’s really in horrible shape it may seem like common sense but just throw it away. Don’t donate broken or super worn items that can’t be used anymore, the purpose in donating is to help people give them more of what they can’t use.
• Set a deadline! Nothing motivates me to actually pack up my stuff more than setting a date for the Vietnam Vets Donation Center to come pick up my items.

So there ya go, give back, cut back, and then kick back and enjoy your simplified life. Any other tips or charities you like to support?  Comment below!