You guys.
Spring is here.
Flowers are blooming. Bees are buzzing. Winter is on its way out.
It’s time to fling open the windows.
Change out your air filters.
And clean out your closets.
Spring is the perfect time to re-organize and edit out the detritus of your life.
And by detritus, I mean the corn hole set that is still in the package in your garage, the weird Christmas socks you have never worn, and the untouched kettlebells that peek out at you from behind your bedroom door.
Let the Kettlebells Go
In January of 2017, you had the passionate, well-meaning thought,
I am going all-in on kettlebells.
But are you?
How many times in the last five years have you lifted them (other than to move them to different corners of your house)?
It’s time to get those kettlebells into the hands of someone who will put them to good use.
In our quest to live generously, spring is a great time to give. One of the ways you can give generously is by giving your stuff away to folks who need it.
You may be holding onto those kettlebells for your unborn children.
But in the wise words of Marie Kondo, tidying legend and supreme-cleaner-of-detritus:
“What you don’t need, your family doesn’t either.”
Words to live by in the world of generous giving.
Spark Joy…Not Junk
If you had the pleasure of reading Marie Kondo’s book, Spark Joy: An Illustrated Masterclass on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up, you’ll know that she encourages you to only keep things that “spark joy” when you hold them. A treasured keepsake from your granny. A beloved book. Your favorite pair of Vans.
Everything else you can let go of.
Throw it out.
Give to a friend.
Or donate.
Here at I Like Giving, we like to take it a step further. When giving your things away, make sure that they “spark joy” for the receiver (them) as well as the giver (you).
Your mom does not want your truckload of college memorabilia in her garage.
Your best friend doesn’t want your holey leg warmers from junior high dance class, even if they are “vintage.”
When you are being generous with your stuff, do it with open hands, a cheerful heart, and a keen eye for quality.
Is it junk? Are you nodding yes? Then please don’t donate it.
You are not doing St. Vinnie’s a favor when you gift them your 10-year-old juicer without the power cord.
For real.
Goodwill Is Not a Garbage Depot
NPR states that last year Goodwill spent $1 million (in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, alone) hauling other people’s trash to the dump.
Gross.
That is 13 million pounds of waste for 3 out of 50 states.
Even grosser.
This was after they had recycled electronics and re-used old textiles.
Now that’s a shame.
Goodwill’s thrift stores use much of their funds towards job placement and helping those with disabilities find work.
Goodwill says, “Our vision is to transform lives and communities through the power of work.”
Let’s help them achieve their vision by recycling and tossing our own trash.
Let’s transform some lives!
Give the Good Stuff
This spring, as you are diving into your closets, purging the unnecessary, and sparking some joy, ask yourself this generous living question:
Is this the good stuff?
If it is in good condition,
if you think it could light a friend up with happiness,
or be a help in someone else’s life (hello, kettlebells!),
then donate away!
Give your good stuff away…you won’t regret it!
Susanna Aughtmon is a gifted writer, wonderful wife, mother, daughter and friend, and a valued member of the I Like Giving team.
