Letting go of goods that no longer serve us

Covid has given us all time to reflect on what no longer serves us. Many clients have shared stories with us about cleaning out their homes and getting rid of stuff they no longer need. The challenge, however, often lies in knowing where to donate or sell goods you no longer need.

Charity shops

Many charities sustain their organisations through charity shops. The concept of charity shops is brilliant as it is an effective way to donate goods and rid your home of unused items. The items are then sold to the public, and the proceeds are used to sustain the charity for which they operate. Charity shops accept most items, so it’s a perfect place to offload books, appliances, bric-a-brac and clothes. Thrift shopping has become extremely popular, so your pre-loved items will likely go to a good home. See a complete list of charity shops in the various provinces. Please remember to check whether or not the charity shop can collect items from your house or whether or not you need to deliver, as this may impact your choice of charity shop depending on the items you are donating.

Online platforms

With technology at our fingertips, selling goods online has become popular, be it a boat, record collection or old wedding dress. If you have goods that you would like to sell, there are various platforms one can use; however, when determining which platform to utilise, keep in mind minor details such as fees, suitability, and convenience. Figure out which site is best for what you want to sell. Selling an old PC or laptop necessitates a different platform than selling a couch or refrigerator. A trial run on a free marketplace, like Gumtree, is always a good idea to learn the ins and outs. Remember that some sites might have strict terms and conditions, branding limitations or “hidden” (or less obvious) costs that you need to look out for, so read the pricing policy and their Terms & Conditions very carefully.

Gumtree, OLX and Facebook Marketplace are examples of free classifieds sites. You can advertise your products for free, but selling, shipping and payment processing becomes the seller’s responsibility. Visit Rateweb to read more about selling your goods online. Remember that there are so many scammers out there, so we encourage you to read these safety tips before buying or selling anything online.

Community organisations

When cleaning out, don’t forget organisations in your areas. Places like churches and community halls often host teas, so they welcome extra cups, saucers, and side plates. Local schools and libraries always welcome books.

If you are struggling to begin the process of decluttering, try the KonMari Method™, which encourages tidying by category – not by location – starting with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, miscellaneous items, and, finally, sentimental items. Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy. Thank them for their service – then let them go.