She Strengthens

Summer of Freedom: Breaking Up with Clutter and Financial Guilt

As an asthmatic, summer can be a real challenge. The heat and humidity can make it difficult to enjoy the outdoors, leaving me stuck inside with nothing but Netflix and puzzles to keep me company. But today, I decided to take matters into my own hands and tackle the one place that’s been weighing me down – my closet.

The Scary Truth About Clutter

My closet has become a symbol of my financial guilt. It’s filled with items I’ve held onto for far too long, not because I need them, but because I feel obligated to justify the money I spent on them. From expensive craft supplies to ill-fitting formal gowns, every item tells a story of my financial insecurities.

Letting Go of the Past

As I began to sort through my closet, I realized that it’s not about making perfect financial decisions, but about recognizing our mistakes and taking steps to correct them. It’s about acknowledging that holding onto clutter is not only physically suffocating but also emotionally draining.

The Purge Begins

With a newfound sense of determination, I started to eliminate items that no longer served me. Here are the things that got cut, and why:

• Craft Supplies: $50 worth of materials I knew I’d never use. It was time to let go of the evidence of a failed business venture.
• The Ugly Sweater: A pricey sweater I hated wearing, but kept because it was my ex’s favorite. It was time to break free from sentimental value.
• Cardboard Box Hoard: I don’t need an absurd amount of boxes to justify my online sales. It’s time to let go of the stress and pressure.
• The $1 Gown: A formal dress I got for a steal, but never wore. It’s time to accept that I’ll never need it.
• Poshmark Failures: Clothes that sat in my virtual closet for months with no buyers. It’s time to stop obsessing over potential dollars and let them go.
• Textbooks: Books that the bookstore wouldn’t buy back, and wouldn’t sell online. It’s time to accept that they’re worthless and let them go.
• Sentimental Cards: A box full of birthday and holiday cards with money inside. It’s time to stop hoarding them out of guilt and let go.

The Feeling of Freedom

As I sit in my newly decluttered space, surrounded by the sweet scent of a candle and the refreshing taste of lime-infused water, I feel a sense of near-bliss. It’s not about the items I got rid of, but about the emotional weight I’ve shed. I’m no longer held back by financial guilt and clutter. I’m free to move forward, and that’s the greatest feeling of all.