How To Know When To Let Go

by Christa

A friend, and someone who reads my newsletter, asked me a great question today.  Anyone, who reads my materials knows I often recommend letting go of anything you don’t need, use or love.  Her questions was “How to know the difference between need and use.”  Great question!

Let’s first define need.  A need is absolute; it’s a requirement, a necessity, something you must have in order to survive.  Examples are food, shelter, clothes, shoes, items in our homes, etc. Since needs are vital, we tend to use them. 
 
Unfortunately, we get confused between needs and wants and we tend to buy a lot of things thinking we will use them, when in fact they just sit our homes.  A want is something you desire or wish for.  It is something you crave, but is not a necessity.  Examples are excessive dining out, a second home, excessive clothing, excessive shoes, a TV in every room, etc. Its all the extra we buy and don’t use.

That’s where not using comes in.  When we buy things we don’t really need and don’t have a plan to use, we tend to not use them.  A good example is buying something simply because its on sale. I have seen homes with wall to wall furniture, lots of clothes with tags, 3 food processors, 5 TV’s and extra, old ones in the garage.

Now, don’t get me wrong.  I love stuff too (pureses are my thing), but I only have the space I have so I have to make decisions about my needs and be honest with myself about what I am really using.  I do this at home with my things and then also before I buy anything.  I ask myself is this a need or a want?  

I can’t tell how great if feels to let go. I have seen clients change their perspective and demeanor in a day by giving themselves permission to let go.  And the best part is, you can let it go to someone who needs it more than you.  Click here for our list of donation locations.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks

Tags: , , , , ,

12 Responses to “How To Know When To Let Go”

  1. Savvy Solutions » Blog Archive » The Rules For Re-Gifting Says:

    [...] heard me say it before, let go of anything you no longer need, use or love.  Could some of these items be re-gifted this holiday season?  I know its a little risky, I am [...]

  2. Savvy Solutions » Blog Archive » Christa Wagner in the National Post; The Ugliest Gifts Of All Says:

    [...] Just a few days before Christmas I was interviewed by Sarah Treleaven; a Weekend Post writer for the National Post.   I was so excited to contribute to her article because she was asking me about something I feel passionately about; not keeping gift you don’t want or need. Read Sarah’s article The Ugliest Gifts Of All and learn how to deal with all those gift you don’t need, use or love.  [...]

  3. Savvy Solutions » Blog Archive » 10 Simple Steps To Get Organized in the New Year Says:

    [...] One in, one out.  We know you just received some new gifts.  That means its time to evalute what you currently have.  Do you need it, will you use it, etc.   [...]

  4. Christa Wagner » Blog Archive » How To Rejuvenate On A Budget Says:

    [...] you happen to be surrounded by too much stuff, walk around your space and eliminate anything you don’t need, use or love.  I’m not even talking about the tough stuff to let go of; start easy with magazines, [...]

  5. Christa Wagner » Blog Archive » Living Organized on Any Budget Says:

    [...] to include this because it’s such a great question.  Simply asking yourself if you really need something is a great way to save [...]

  6. Christa Wagner » Blog Archive » Ugliest Office in Vancouver, Ugly No More! Says:

    [...] Once we had everything sorted, we went through each pile and Elyssa released anything she no longer used, needed or loved.  This was tough for her as it can be for most people.  But with our help, she let go of anything [...]

  7. Christa Wagner » Blog Archive » 10 Positive Things About a Challenging Economy Series, #9 Says:

    [...] home and come to love the home you’re in today.  Declutter and remove items you don’t need, use or love.  Move the furniture around, paint the walls a new color, shift your art, move knick-knacks [...]

  8. Christa Wagner » Blog Archive » Are You Really Getting A Good Deal Says:

    [...] only what you need vs. want.  Ask yourself do I really “need” this.  Will I “use” this?  Do I [...]

  9. Funny Story About Off Site Storage | Christa Wagner Says:

    [...] The moral of this story is avoid off site storage as best you can because you forget what’s there and don’t use it anyway.  If you have a small space like we do, get off site storage if you must for seasonal and other important, but infrequently used items.  But know what’s in your storage and promise me you won’t put something there just because you can’t let go.   [...]

  10. The Wagners Are Moving To The “Drive” | Christa Wagner Says:

    [...] means.  Moving can be such a stressful time; on top of packing, letting go of stuff we don’t need, use and love and purchasing items needed for move in day, we also want to enjoythe Kitsilano neighborood as [...]

  11. Christa Wagner » Blog Archive » Time To Clear The Clutter Says:

    [...] coats, games, kitchen tools and gadgets and home decor items and decide what I no longer need, use or love.  Ask yourself if you have used the item in the last year and if the answer is no, consider [...]

  12. It’s Time To Let Go | Christa Wagner Says:

    [...] get into the details, but it’s made me realize just as I tell my clients to let go of things they don’t need, use or love, I must also let go of thinking that won’t help me in the long run.   So starting in the New [...]

Leave a Reply