As we transition into the holiday season, my family harnesses that sparkly energy to sweep through the whole house and let go of anything and everything that is not presently serving us well to free up space for all the holidays bring (decorations, gathering, gifts).

Why now

One of the secrets to living a peaceful family life in which we are all thriving is to accept what is, working with our nature instead of against it. There is an energy of excitement, hopefulness, and possibility brought in with the holiday season’s arrival. Instead of resisting the potentially overwhelming current, flow with it to everyone’s advantage.

We (true for us all but especially poignant for children) are invited to look ahead and wonder what new things or experiences could be a value add to the version of ourselves and our lives that take prominence in this new season of life. Sure, we can blame our consumer-oriented, capitalist society for this, but I prefer to leave the “more” fervor that doesn’t resonate with me or align with my values while embracing the invitation to get curious about how the things in our environment are serving our needs (or not). As time passes, we evolve (if we’re doing this whole life journey right), and our needs evolve with us. I’m not suggesting running wild with the disposable economy, but giving ourselves permission to notice, acknowledge, and honor the ways in which our belongings might better serve us.

With that sprinkling of Santa inspired magic, we are motivated to create space. “If there are new things you hope to invite in, what are you going to release to make space for them?” Hoping for new toys? Which toys are you going to let go of to create fresh space on the toy shelf? Hoping for new clothes? What clothes are you going to let go of to create fresh space in your wardrobe? Space boundaries (a regular component of our minimalism conversations here) are helpful here, along with a one in – one out normalized sentiment.

Another especially rewarding aspect of this timing is that we are passing on quality items when others in our community are most needing and excited to receive them. Giving a once beloved item to someone who is in a prime season of life to love it closes the loop of the sharing economy in a way that feels so much more satisfying than a spring cleaning or a donation center.

My son helped a neighbor load his too-small-for-him bike into her car to wrap under the tree for her BMX loving son. He chose this family to receive his gift after they shared in our local Buy Nothing group that they didn’t currently have the financial means to support their son’s passion in the way they hoped to. What was living untouched in our shed will now be the source of immense joy.

What to let go of

It helps to have some decision-making criteria established as you move through your home:

Have we used this in the last year?

Is this adding to our peace and joy?

Is this supporting the meeting of our needs?

The outgrown bike my son passed along hadn’t been ridden in over a year. The too-small sneakers I passed along were hurting my feet and therefore not supporting the meeting of my needs (I added the same sneakers in a half size bigger to my Christmas list). Let. it. all. go.

Feelings might show up

Sentimentality is real. Feelings might show up as you release once cherished objects that are no longer a fit for the version of you, your child, your family, your home, or your life that exists today. Those feelings are a testament to your appreciation for how the item once served you. They are a reflection of your fondness for the version of you that existed in connection with this object. We can honor that emotional attachment with gratitude. We accept the passage of time, grateful for every version of us that evolved along the way.

This year we gave away a huge set of Magna-Tiles to a family raising a set of four siblings in foster care. These magnetic blocks were central to hours and hours, years and years of play across all three of my children. There is grief in releasing objects connected with such sweet memories, but the grief feels healthy and productive and the sharing feels good and right (the family who received the Magna-Tiles sent us a picture of all four kids building towers all over the car as they drove away, too excited to even wait until they got home to play together).

This is the moment. It’s time to let go.