Permission: 5 Things You Can Let Go Of, Living Room
Have you ever thought, "I just need someone to give me permission to get rid of this"? That's what this Permission series is all about. We'll walk through room by room, list 5 items per room you can part with right away, and why the items can be easy to get out of your house.
I ran the first part of this series back in 2019. You can see those post by going to the Permission Intro here.
As always, it's your house and your stuff. You may actually need and use the things I suggest you part with. But if you don't, give yourself a little more freedom to find a little more peace in your house by letting go of things that you don't need.
Today we'll be in the living room. You may call it the den or the family room. Chances are this is the space you spend the most of your down time outside of your actual sleeping in your bedroom. Taking some time to inventory this room and let a few things go will help you to enjoy the space more than just picking it up.
Throw pillows
Have you seen the commercial recently of the man who teaches people how to not turn into their parents prematurely? In one scene he pulls all the throw pillows off of the couch. Why? Because there was no room for someone to sit. Maybe you have so many throw pillows that you can't sit your family comfortably. Or maybe you've snuggled the stuffing out of the throw pillows.
ACTION - do a check of the throw pillows and let go of the ones that aren't serving your family any longer.
Coffee Table books
Books and magazine can take up residency in our homes and stay there much longer than they should like squatters. If you look at your coffee table and see a magazine from 2 years ago, let it go. If there is a book that hasn't been cracked since the Spring, let it go. Keep them fresh and meaningful or don't keep them at all.
ACTION - go through your coffee table books and magazines (and any other books and magazines in this space) and let go of the ones that are not being read or enjoyed.
Blankets
Are you a snuggler? Do you prefer to cover up with a blanket when you sit in front of the TV or with a good book or some family time? (Me too!) One danger is that you can have too many blankets or snuggle holes in them or forget to wash them leaving them as good candidates to leave your home.
ACTION - gather the blankets and keep a favorite for the people who will use them, the rest can go to an animal shelter to line beds.
Knick knacks
Knick knacks provide an opportunity for you to spend each and every Saturday dusting for hours at a time. They hold dust in places that sometimes you can't even get rid off. If they mean that much to you, just know you are trading time and energy to keep up with them. Or maybe you are willing to spend time and energy with your people instead. It's okay to let go of that figurine from your mom when you were 6 years old. It's even okay to let go of that collection of light houses that you had from college. You grow and change and can allow your home to reflect that.
ACTION - spend the time to assess your knick knack situation in your home, let decide what you will let belong to someone else.
Coasters
Coasters are beautiful... when they work and when they are used. If you are holding on to several mismatched sets of coasters that aren't even doing their job, you have permission to let them go and grab one set that will work for you and your guests.
ACTION - toss those paper and non-absorbent "coasters" and get some good absorbent ones; or don't use any at all - it's up to you.