5) Sporting equipment

If you haven’t gone camping in the last two years, get rid of the old tent in your garage. If you haven’t skied since 2002, sell your skis. I’m amazed at the range of sporting equipment people keep around, yet never use. Guess what guys? You can rent this stuff! And the models you will rent are likely newer and better than the old stuff you’ve kept around simply because you think you might go camping or skiing next year, or the year after, or maybe the year after that. Sell these things and put the money into a jar for the day you actually go to the slopes.

6) Bags and baggage

You only need one suitcase, one bag, and possibly a purse (or two). Even if you’re fashion-conscious. Spend some dough on these few things so you get quality stuff that will last you a while and look good. All those other bags and duffels you have crammed into each other under your bed will be happier at Goodwill. Nice bags that you just never use anymore can be sold to places like Buffalo Exchange. Done and done.

7) Kitchen gadgets

The best food only requires a few simple tools.

Okay, let’s head to the kitchen. First off, let me say that I love to cook. And my 50-square-foot kitchen doesn’t stop me. But it does stop me from owning a wedding-registry worth of gadgets and ice cream makers. Here’s what I’ve learned. First, you don’t need a microwave. It’ll make you a healthier person and force you to re-heat your leftovers on the stove, which tastes better anyway. Second, you can get by fine with just one great knife. Get a medium-sized quality one that costs way more than you ever imagined spending on a knife. It’ll last you forever and cut everything you need it to. Lastly, you don’t need any of those gadgets you haven’t used in the past two months. If you never use your food-processor because it’s too hard to set up and clean up, get rid of it. The best food is fresh and only requires your two hands and a few simple tools.

8) Things that are neither useful, nor beautiful

Everyone needs a few beautiful things.

William Morris once said, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” So after getting rid of the things listed above, take a look around. Sit in your reading chair and observe your home. Do all the things hanging on your walls make you smile or think? Do the pieces of art you own make your heart sing?

I have a few strange items taking up space in my tiny apartment, like an old window hanging on my wall that I found in the Presidio, its white paint chipping to reveal a layer of blue underneath; on my desk there’s a piece of driftwood from a beach in Canada and a large chunk of obsidian from the Eastern Sierras. All of these things are beautiful and unique, and they remind me of what I love in the world.

Do not get rid of those things. If anything, make more space for them. Those are the objects that inspire. And without all that clutter, they get to shine for us that much more.