Many people feel overwhelmed when they think about letting go of items to declutter their home, but I’m here to tell you that you have more power than you think! Actually, you have all of the power! After all, this is YOUR home you’re decluttering. That means you make the rules. You get to decide:
what goes in it,
how much goes in it, AND
what to let go of!
Imagine your ideal home. What’s it like? Is it cozy, filled with objects you love and display proudly? Is it functional, with everything you need and nothing you don’t? Is it sleek and minimalist, a place where you can think clearly and feel freedom?
How does your ideal home differ from your home now?
I’m asking all these questions to clarify what your goal is when it comes to decluttering. As famed inventor Charles Kettering said, “A problem well-stated is half-solved.” When you know what you’re working toward, it’s easier to see the path to it. Find useful questions to ask about your space, like:
Marie Kondo’s “Does it spark joy?”
Not everything in your home will spark joy—a toilet scrubber is a must-have, but choosing to have one that is easy to use and gives you a sparkling bowl just might spark joy. But for items that aren’t purely practical, make sure you ask yourself what you’re getting from it. If it’s anxiety, sadness, or nothing at all, it might be time to let it go.
“Do I love it?”
When you’re thinking about whether to let go of an item, ask yourself if you love it. A worn-out teddy bear you’ve had since you were five might not be the most useful or beautiful thing, but if you love it—really love it, keep it.
“Can someone else use this more than me?”
Those two copies of the same book you have—might it be time for someone else to read one? Maybe you don’t use your hula hoop anymore, but your cousin would love it. Instead of holding on to items you’re not using, pass them on so they can live out their useful life.
“When was the last time I used this?”
If you’re going through your closet and find a surge protector you haven’t used or thought about in years, it’s a good sign you don’t need it anymore. You can set the rules for how long an item can stay on the shelf before its time is up: three months, six months, a year?
“One in, one out”
When you do purchase or procure a new or new to you item, let an old one go. If you continually accumulate you will eventually run out of room. If you have too much stuff, consider adjusting the rule to “One in, six out!” to help you declutter. Once you have decluttered, use this rule you stay in stasis, in equilibrium; you will maintain a clutter free environment easily.
By asking these types of questions and applying your rules as you declutter, you get a better handle on what to keep and what to let go. The answers to these questions are uniquely yours, just like your home! There’s a reason we don’t offer a one-size-fits-all kind of organizing service. If we judge your items by my standards, you might end up with a very organized home—but if it’s not right for you, clutter will pile back up and the stress of the mess will return.
Write down your decluttering rules, stick to them, and you’ll have a clutter free home in no time!
These are great guidelines to use for making a decision about whether something goes in the keep, trash, or donate pile. My favorite is the simple “One In One Out” rule because it keeps me in line. I’m always making sure there is more going out of my house than coming in.
That’s a great set of clues for your next action, and you show that it’s more complex than just Kondo’s “joy.” My old tax returns don’t spark joy, nor does my blood glucose meter, but neither one are leaving just for failing that test.
Another one I like is, “Would you (Could you) use it (wear it, read it) today?” So much that people hold onto is just one short step away from a reality check. If you wouldn’t wear it today, why? Is it not your style? If you couldn’t, again, why? Does it need to be repaired, or taken in (or out)? If you wouldn’t or couldn’t wear or use something, then knowing why can make the difference between whether it’s worth addressing and keeping or just setting free!
Absolutely, Julie! Just this morning I was looking at a sweatshirt in my closet and thought, “If the neckline on the hood wasn’t so tight, I’d wear that all the time.” But instead of leaving it in my closet as it was, I grabbed a pair of scissors and cut the whole hood off! Now I have a cute boatneck sweatshirt that I’m wearing right now! If I didn’t ask myself why I wasn’t wearing it, I wouldn’t have thought to alter it that way.
Great list of questions to help you reframe your decision about whether to keep an item. Sometimes we ask only one question, such as “Could I use this again?” This question is dangerous, as most people can come up with a possible use, whether we actually use it for that purpose or not.
Thanks for sharing!
You’re super welcome, Seana! I agree, asking just one question can lead to lots of mental gymnastics that slow down the decluttering proccess.
Great decluttering questions to ask. I also include if the space is hard to use. By this I mean, is the container so full that it’s difficult to get the item out or put it away. If it is, that’s a signal that something has to change.
Absolutely, Diane. We often think that we need to organize based on how much stuff we have, but sometimes it’s best to think about it from the perspective of how much space you have!