12 Strategies for (finally!) letting go of stuff you don't really need

It’s ok to keep the things you really appreciate, this process is more about discovering what you love and separating those things out from the overwhelming mass of “stuff” in your surroundings so you can have more freedom to enjoy your life.
When you are ready to start, I recommend you take a deep breath, be thankful for your willingness to do this difficult work, and enjoy the process! Set aside a short period of time and identify one place to start—one cabinet, one drawer, one closet, so you don’t get overwhelmed. Keep in mind why you are doing this; to clear your energetic field of the things that no longer serve you and to discover who and what you are truly about. There is a freedom in this process that will deeply release you. Make it fun! This is not torture, this is you taking care of yourself.

1. Clutter is nothing but unmade decisions...so make sure you touch everything in the zone you are working in. Don't put things off because it is too hard to decide. (see #12) You can always come back to the decision before the end of the session, but decide TODAY, so it's done. The burst of energy comes because you are released from the bondage of attachment, I promise it gets easier the more you let go. I PROMISE.
2. If there is something that you are sentimentally attached to because of the memory or person it reminds you of but you don’t love the item, consider taking a photograph and then giving away or tossing the object.
3. Try to set a numerical standard for your environment, such as, “I will only keep things that I consider more that an ‘8’ [or whatever number feels right for you]”. As you sort through your things, assign them a number, and stick to your policy. It is amazing how well this works for some people!
4. As you have your hands on the item, simply ask yourself, “do I LOVE it?” If not, let it go. Most people never ask themselves that question, and end up surrounded with things they don’t even want, need or care for.
5. Make a policy for your collections, such as magazines, i.e. I will only keep the issues from the previous three months, or I will donate or give away any clothing that I haven’t worn in the last year.
6. Create a “memorabilia box”, and keep only your most prized treasures there. This way, you can consciously choose the things you love the most and let go of the rest.
7. Use the mantra, “I can keep the memory, and let go of the thing.”
8. Ask yourself, “why am I keeping this?” and really listen for the answer.
9. Choose a friend or family member you trust to assist you for this process. For many people, letting go is easier with someone close by as support.
10. Literally KISS the item goodbye. If you used to love something, try giving it a goodbye kiss just before letting it go. Somehow, this closes an energetic door with the item, while acknowledging your feelings about it.
11. If you find yourself attaching the feelings you have for the giver of the gift to the item, and therefore have a hard time letting go of such things as Aunt Mary’s orange, yellow and brown crocheted afghan, try “breathing in” all of the energy of Aunt Mary from the item, and the see how easy it is to let go! [ok, I know this is 'woo woo', but it works!]
12. Create a “decompression chamber”—a shelf or drawer near where you are working, for the “maybe” items. Tell yourself that this chamber can remove the emotional charge you have on the item from the item itself. In a few hours, go back to the item and see if you still want to keep it, once it has been “de-charged”. It’s amazing how effective this can be!

Many people think of letting go as having less, but actually, there are many things you will have MORE of: freedom, peace of mind, ease of access. People are amazed at how much more abundance they feel when they start letting go of the “too much” in their lives. Try it—it’s catching!
And keep in mind: it’s not clutter if you really love it.

http://www.its-not-about-your-stuff.com/2006/08/12_strategies_f.html