Why Decluttering My Garage Made Me Rethink Everything

So, after years of ignoring the mess (because closing the garage door is easier than dealing with it), I finally took action. I rolled up my sleeves, grabbed a coffee the size of my head which still wasn’t big enough, and committed to decluttering my entire double garage. 

Here’s what happened - and why I’ll never look at stuff the same way again.

1. The Garage or the Garbage?

Let’s be honest: the garage is where stuff goes when we can’t admit we don’t need it. As I started sorting through everything, I was hit with an uncomfortable realisation - so much of what I owned was just…stuff. Things I thought I needed, but actually never used.

That posh jumpsuit I mentioned earlier? I still can’t believe it’s been worn zero times. The box full of cords and other miscellaneous electrical wonders? More of a glorified dust collector. It made me rethink every impulse purchase I’d ever made. How many of these things were worth the money I spent? And worse - how much of it was now basically worthless?

2. The Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of stuff - it’s about letting go of why we bought it in the first place. Some things were easy to part with (bye-bye, broken air fryer), but others had me clutching them like a long-lost friend.

I found baby clothes I swore I’d hold onto “just in case.” Toys my kids had outgrown but that carried sweet, sentimental memories. And then there was the guilt - because every piece I held onto was a reminder of money spent on things that no longer served us.

But here’s the wild thing: the less I had, the lighter I felt. The conscious parent in me did a little dance every time I let go of something!

3. Making Money Off My Mess

Once I got over the emotional hurdle, I decided to sell what I could. I snapped some pics, listed about 15 things on Facebook Marketplace, and braced myself. Within days, I had sold nearly $590 worth of stuff - and I wasn’t even halfway through the pile. By the time I finished, I realized I had close to $2,000 worth of things I could resell.

Of course, the selling process wasn’t all smooth sailing. I dealt with my fair share of scammers and time-wasters (“Will you deliver this $5 item to the other side of town?” Absolutely not). But at the end of the day, the effort was so worth it!

4. The Sustainable Side of Decluttering

While making money was great, what really hit home was the environmental impact. Instead of dumping things in the landfill, I was giving them a second life as preloved treasures - whether through selling, donating, or swapping.

And that’s a big one! Instead of constantly buying new, we can swap, donate, and rehome things within our community. It’s a win-win: families get what they need for free, and perfectly good items don’t go to waste. Imagine if we all did it instead of buying it all? Our homes, our wallets, and the planet would be so much better for it! Circular economy rocks.

The Takeaway: Will I Buy Differently?

Absolutely. This decluttering experience made me painfully aware of how mindless my shopping had been. I don’t work in an office, so why do I have a wardrobe full of workwear? My kids don’t need mountains of toys when they only play with a handful. And honestly? The money I made selling my stuff is going toward experiences, not even more things. Pinky promise.

So, if you’re staring at your own cluttered garage (or wardrobe, or kitchen), take this as your sign - it’s time. Decluttering isn’t just about clearing out space. It’s about clearing out the unnecessary so you can focus on what really matters.

Trust me, your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.