Closets and bookshelves have much in common. As I seek to reduce what occupies the recesses of our home, I realize those shelves and neglected closet spaces are full of aspiration.

To all appearances, I have a massive pile of stuff that I am struggling to sort. Dust and indecision hang in the air. Will I ever read this book? Why did I even buy it? Does this still fit? Can I get away with wearing shoulder pads? No. This box contains some sweet Easter hats, and then there is the electronic keyboard nobody uses anymore. But they might.

This task is not for the faint of heart!

Unread books, clothes we once loved, knitting needles and yarn. Much of this speaks to long-held hope that one day we’ll possess the time, interest or ability to put those objects to use. But it isn’t really about the objects, is it? It’s about the person we would like to be.

My bookshelf contained books that I should have read but never did. Sorry, Oprah, I am never going to be a member of your book club. Maybe I would have been more interesting, if I had read some of these dusty volumes. But probably not.

So the donation pile grows, and my aspirational self takes a reality check. I have long thought the decluttering method in which you only keep what “sparks joy” sounded a little silly. But if something isn’t currently useful, either in a practical sense or because it brings pleasure in some way, it doesn’t deserve space in my life.

I guess I better go put those knitting needles in the to-go pile.

P.S. Another good thing about decreasing what we possess. . .

This morning I received an email was from a neighbor in need of a queen-sized sheet. I had just pulled some lonesome top sheets out of my closet and had set them aside to donate. It gave me joy to be able to provide her with the sheet she sought.

Later, I posted an American Girl charm bracelet on a donation site. A woman claimed it as a birthday gift for her 10-year-old daughter “obsessed with AG.” Another smile.

When I don’t hang onto stuff, I can give it to someone who really needs or treasures it.