Early in the coronavirus shut-down period, I started some decluttering projects. It began with my clothes closet, using the opportunity to teach my 9-year-old how to fold a sweater—and showing him how to decide when it’s time to “move along” items I no longer wear or enjoy.
From there, the linen closet, the mudroom pantry and the basement all got a steady, methodical going over. Knowing I had (seemingly) infinite time to look in every nook and cranny was calming and motivating to me. As I separated items into “trash,” “recycle” and “donate,” I also realized I wasn’t just filling the time, I was reimagining my home and being intentional about what I wanted in it.
The project remains unfinished, though, for a simple reason—at the height of my clutter-clearing flurry, donations sites were closed and even curb-sharing was not permitted (or advisable) where I live. So the piles of clutter—organized and weeded out as they were—remained out of the way but still very much at home.
Now finally feels like a moment to take the next step in the clutter-clearing process. What does that entail? Here are some ways to take your own closet-clearing across the finish line.
Get Educated About Your Town’s Recycling
An online search of your town’s recycling center will likely give you all the information you need on what can be recycled. Most municipalities are also providing regular updates about special collections and drop-off opportunities for items like textiles, old paint and electronics, specific to the ongoing safety protocols around coronavirus.
Take Up a Clutter Collection
You are probably not the only one in your neighborhood who has embarked on clutter-clearing project during the shut-down. If your area has a Goodwill or similar organization collecting clothing or housewares (or books or non-perishable foods or…), you might partner up with a few neighbors to bring bags or boxes to one person who can deliver the items to the collection agency. That way, more people can do more good…with less interaction.
Keep It Local
One of the gifts of social media is its ability to offer touch-free, curbside opportunities to share your cast-off clutter with those who might use, enjoy, even treasure your items. Look for local swap sites to post photos of things you think others might need. You can protect your privacy by only revealing your address in private messages, and you can know that your things are getting a new lease on life right around the corner.
