I’m always happy to see lively conversations on my SpaceClear page on Facebook. One in particular on the topic of regifting got me going:
Original post: Some of us hold on because we believe our stuff needs us; we “think of things as members of the family…
“Giving away the old laptop is akin to giving up a child for adoption to some unknown, less capable foster parent who cannot possibly care for it as well as we have! ‘I can’t possibly throw this away until I find the right home for it’ is an excellent delay tactic, and for those of us with major control issues, this objection rests high in the pantheon of holding patterns. If this, or any control pattern, is one you can relate to, there is a terrific antidote: self-acceptance and compassionate self-care. Daily doses of it.” –Stephanie Bennett Vogt, Your Spacious Self: Clear the Clutter and Discover Who You Are
Comment A: Dang, I resemble that remark.
Comment B: This is for me. Clutter queen.
Comment C: One can always regift that clutter to one’s children?????
SpaceClear: Unfortunately it is too true… the regifting ends up happening by default when we die and haven’t dealt with “our stuff” while we’re still able…now… in present time.
Comment C: Actually, I was thinking of re-gifting now- while I can enjoy their using or remembering things. I also re-gift to grandchildren, great nieces, nephews……
SpaceClear: That works too. As long as our family members welcome these things in their life. For example, my 83 year-old mom and I have a deal where she doesn’t “regift” me anything unless I have expressly asked for it or been asked. And vice versa.
Recipients who have a hard time saying no, and/or givers who take it personally when their treasure is graciously declined, create additional burden (as in more invisible clutter).
My motto: ask first… and let go of attachment to the outcome. 😉
Anyone else care to weigh in?
