Sorting and giving: a shelf, a closet, and what you no longer use
Our closets overflow with things we no longer use: clothes that are too small, books never reread, forgotten appliances, duplicate dishes. They take up space, mental energy, and would benefit someone else. This weekly quest offers a double gesture: sorting a shelf or a closet, and giving what can be given.
What it looks like in your day
Choose a limited space. A shelf, a drawer, a closet, a corner of the garage. A small perimeter: the goal is to finish.
Take out everything in it. Lay it on a table or the floor, to see it all.
Make three piles.
- I keep. What I really use or what has real value for me.
- I give. What is in good condition and can be of use to someone else.
- I throw away or recycle. What is broken, worn out, unusable.
Ask one simple question for each object. “Have I used it in the past year? Will I use it?” If not, it goes.
Give wisely. Think of someone specific: a neighbor, a family from your church, a student, a local association (charity shop, resource center, food bank). A targeted gift is worth more than an anonymous drop-off.
Do it within the week. Don't let the “to give” bag sit around: drop it off within two days.
Thank God. For what you have had, and for the possibility of passing it on.
If you are short on time, sort a single drawer. If you are shy, you can drop off anonymously. If you hesitate out of sentimental attachment, keep a few precious objects and let go of the rest: you can keep a memory without keeping thirty objects that recall it, and photograph what you can't keep.
What the Bible says
John the Baptist, asked by the crowd what they should do, answers:
“And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.”
“He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none”: the surplus is meant to be shared. The answer is concrete, immediate, within everyone's reach. Paul reminds the Corinthians of a principle of balance:
“But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:”
That the abundance of some would supply the needs of others, so that there may be equality. Finally, Jesus invites us not to lay up treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupt (Matthew 6:19-20): accumulated objects end up owning us.
Pitfalls to avoid
Giving what is unusable. A damaged or dirty gift is a burden for whoever receives it. Give what you would be happy to receive.
Sorting in order to rebuy. If you declutter in order to refill right away, the cycle starts again. Notice what pushes you to buy.
Feeling guilty. Some accumulation is ordinary. Start small, without judging yourself.
Rushing into emotionally charged objects. Memories of a deceased person or of an era take time. Leave them for another day.
Turning the gesture into a display. A gift doesn't need to be told.
This week, sort a shelf or a closet. Within two days, give what is of no use to you any more.