How to Give Joy from Your Abundance

Decluttering is Magic

When we give generously, with an abundance mentality, what we give away will multiply.- Henri Nouwen.

Saturday was the day. I had asked my son for his permission to declutter his room. It’s a yearly tradition that brings us down memory lane.

I find it magical to go through his books, toys, and clothes. Some point to when he was younger and others show just how much he has grown. I am grateful that he does not mind this process and finds it fun.

The books piled up, hats, costumes, and toys were strewn all over the bed.

It was a physical manifestation of time passing.

Out in the hall went things I thought he had probably outgrown. I was curious to know what he would choose to keep and what he would give away. There is so much abundance here.

Yearbooks, art projects, things made at summer camps were all among the mix. Series of books he had once enjoyed, comics he had written, and art papers galore.

What would this young master of his domain choose to keep? He has always been a child of few wants. He loves to focus on one thing with great abandon before he moves on to something else.

I appreciate that he finds joy in the simple things in life.

To my surprise and delight, he let go of lots of things. Most of all, his book collection dwindled to less than half of what he once had. He chose to give away books he will no longer read.

Within twenty minutes or so, he had made his choices. To top off the decluttering, he chose to put on all of his hats. They ranged from a Pokeman baseball cap to a wizard hat from Tokyo Disneyland. He told us that this is how he would show up on his first day back at middle school one day.

More than seven bags of books, toys, and clothes are now ready to go on a charity truck towards the end of this month.

It brings us both joy to know that other kids will delve into these books and play with these toys, bringing an abundance of happiness.

When our decluttering came to a close, he sweetly thanked me for my work with him and gave me a big hug.

Such unexpected sweetness from my boy, growing up every day.

Here are some tips for decluttering a children’s room:

Find Categories:

Look around the room and find categories of items such as books, toys, stuffed animals, clothing, costumes, hats, collectibles, and more.

Make Signs:

Make a paper sign for each category. Use the floor and bed for staging areas, and put all like items near them. That way, it will be easier for your child to choose what to keep and what to give away.

Have Your Child Choose:

Ask your child if they want to keep or give away items from each category. Go pile by pile until they are finished. Place all items for giving away in bags in the hallway.

Make an Appointment:

Find a charity that will pick up all of the items. You can do this online. Once you find a date and time, mark it on the calendar. Stage all of your giveaway bags in one area. You can always add to the bags before the pick-up date.

My prayer and my intention for you today is that you give away something from your abundance. All that you give will come back to you with joy. You have so much to share from your heart and your home.

Day #66: What will you give away today?

I am tagging some amazing fellow writers on this journey. They joined me on my 100-day spiritual journey, and it is an honor to have them here on this journey. I ask that you read their beautiful work here on Medium. Thank you for your generosity! Bob Jasper, Charlotte Zobeir Ali, Rasheed Hooda, Jenine Bsharah Baines, Amy Marley, Gurpreet Dhariwal, Aurora Eliam, CMP, Chowa Sekai, Michele Thill, Terry Mansfield, Tony Young, Jr., Dr John Rose, Vishnu*s Virtues, Noma Dek, Neha Sandhir S, Joe Luca, Tree Langdon, Selma, Sherry S, Melissa Bee, Annick Batamuliza, Annelise Lords, Suntonu Bhadra, Henery X, Lanu Pitan, Taha Abbas, Nihan Kucukural, and many more! Thank you Illumination, Genius in a Bottle, Paper Poetry, and Medium Family!

Trista Signe Ainsworth is a Professional Organizer at Joyful Minimalism. She guides clients on a personal growth journey through their homes.

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