Written by Kirstin Hawthorne
In the chaos of our daily lives, finding joy often begins with simplifying our surroundings. Decluttering your space is not just a physical act but a path to mental clarity and contentment.
Start by assessing each room with a critical eye – do your belongings bring you joy, or are they simply taking up space? Embrace the minimalist mantra: if it doesn’t serve a purpose or bring happiness, let it go. Consider making three piles – keep, donate, and discard.
As you declutter and organize, make piles for keeping, donations and discards. Return the items you are keeping to your designated spot. If you find that spot is too crowded, take another look and see if you can give away that shirt you don’t quite like, the vase from your college roommate that you love but never use, or that vacuum you haven’t used since you invested in a Roomba. Keep in mind no one can use one sock or a broken picture frame. It’s okay to toss items that have served their purpose. Sometimes, it’s easier to give items away when you know they are headed to a worthy cause and will end up serving someone with a genuine need. Here are (8) local places (in alphabetical order) to donate household items, clothes, and small appliances:*
- ECHO (located in Springfield)
- Fair Oaks Hospital Thrift Store (located in Fairfax)
- Goodwill of Greater Washington (locations in Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Centreville, Dale City, Fairfax, Herndon, Manassas, Sterling, and West Falls Church)
- Lorton Community Action Center “Lorton’s Attic” Thrift Shop (located in Lorton)
- Salvation Army (locations in Alexandria, Manassas, and Woodbridge)
- Second Chance Thrift and Gift Store (supports the Human Society and is located in Fairfax)
- Vietnam Veterans of America (via Pickup Please you simply log-on and they will come right to your door)
- Women Giving Back (located in Sterling)
So, embark on the journey to declutter your space, organize your life, and find happiness in simplicity. Your transformed environment may just be the catalyst for a brighter, more joy-filled you. In other words, organize yourself happy!
Fair Oaks Hospital Thrift Shop is near and dear to the FOCUS on NoVA Real Estate team as our own Ingrid Barrett has volunteered here on a regular basis for the past (8) years. Hence, we picked out (8) great donation hubs. Ingrid says, “I like to think that my volunteering has made a difference in someone’s life.” She is motivated by being able to support the wonderful programs of Fair Oaks Hospital and is energized by the other volunteers. If you visit, please be sure to say hello to her!
* Before making donations, contact the organizations directly or visit their websites to confirm current needs, operating hours, and any specific guidelines for donations, especially after the holiday season.