Declutter Your Space, Bless Someone Else

There is a special kind of peace that comes from opening a cabinet or closet and actually seeing what you love and use. Many of us keep things “just in case,” but if we are honest, some items have been sitting untouched for years. They take up space not only in our homes, but also in our minds.

Over time, I realized I was holding on to many beautiful things from Germany when I lived there for more than a decade, that I hardly ever used. They were good quality, well cared for, but simply no longer part of my everyday life. Instead of letting them gather dust, I decided it was time to let them go and allow someone else to enjoy them. This is the 3rd time I have decluttered. During the pandemic, I have donated books to the National Library of the Philippines. I gave away a few things, and I sold on Carousell some personal items like duplicate kitchen tools and dinnerwares. My taste and purpose for the furniture have changed. Some no longer fit in a small space. Minimalism comes in - leaner versus bulky furniture that you hardly use and can't move around with the old setup.

Decluttering is not about throwing things away; it’s about making room for what truly matters. A simple rule that helps: if you haven’t used it in 6–12 months, ask yourself, “Would I buy this again today? Does it still fit my current life?” If the answer is no, then maybe it’s time to bless someone else with it. Over the years, our needs, wants, priorities and passions have changed. Our lives should be transformed little by little in the process. More so, if you are now a double citizen (typical Pinoy joke on people turning 60 or retirement age – i.e. your Filipino citizenship and your senior citizenship) you need little space to live and less stuff, too. What more if you are now a citizen of heaven, the wants for material things have tremendously changed. I also noticed the people you have in your life, so-called friends, get sifted through the years. Again, everything boils down to following your purpose in life.

You can start small: one drawer, one shelf, or five items a week. Look at your clothes, kitchen tools, decor, books, and hobby items. Keep what you love and use. Release what you’re only keeping out of guilt or habit. Since moving back to Manila, the weather is warm, I asked myself if I'm still going to travel and need these winter clothes. The answer is I no longer need it, so sell it. I hardly go out of the city since I am busy with the business, and the funds are solely used for the enterprise, which I have been passionately continuing since 2016. Also, on clothes, your body size has changed too, as much as we want to stay in small size, undeniably and defyingly it is a tough job to stay slim. That is the reality of life.

Truly, truly God's word is living and active, Ecclesiastes 3:1-9:There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Looking back during the pandemic, I had the opportunity to spend time with my nieces in Cavite. Just like me, they are orphans, too. My sister, my brother-in-law (her husband) and her eldest daughter died, leaving stuff that is hard for them to dispose of fast enough for everyone in the household to move on. Now, I have figured it out that definitely God has a purpose for me, ALL THE TIME, and it is always for the best. I helped my nieces run the garage sale and look into other things to dispose turned into cash. As I was helping out, I realized how much stuff humans accumulate over the years, and if we do not declutter and organize our home, it will be a disaster. It will be a very stressful life, regardless of whether you can afford to buy more. I told myself I will not be a burden to my family if it is time for me to join our creator. I make it a habit to declutter regularly. It is a humbling experience.

Matthew 6: 19-21; “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Buying and selling preloved items is also a gentle choice for the planet. Instead of throwing away perfectly good things or importing more and more new items, we keep quality pieces in circulation. Less waste, more intention.

If you feel inspired to declutter, I invite you to join me on this journey. Take a look around your home and see what you’re ready to release. And if you’re looking for quality preloved pieces imported from Germany, you might just find something you’ll truly enjoy in my collection of items looking for a new home.

I’m selling some of my personal German pieces to continue fund a small business. Every item you buy helps me keep creating affordable, quality and handmade pieces for your daily home use. Here is the link to the preloved items on Marketplace https://web.facebook.com/marketplace/you/selling