Helpful questions for decluttering anything
We all get stuck sometimes when it comes to decluttering. Take a deep breath. You’ve got this.
Below are some of the questions we’ve found most helpful after hundreds of decluttering sessions with clients and on our own. Everyone responds to prompts differently; we call these our decluttering “lenses.” See which lens (or lenses) are best for you!
The Practical Lens
Do I use this?
When is the last time I used this?
Do I have another item or tool that serves the same purpose that I could use instead?
This really comes into play in the kitchen. A lot of uber-specific gadgets can be replaced with a few great kitchen knives.
Is it costing me more angst to store this than it would to buy it if I needed it in the future?
When you get into storage unit territory, this question becomes: “Am I willing to buy it a little apartment and pay rent?”
In what scenario would I use this?
We have heard some wild answers to this one… try saying it out loud to a friend if you’re on the fence.
The Sentimental Lens
Why do I have this?
Try answering this out loud. “I have this ___ because _____.” The answer may be more telling than you realize.
If this was a gift, would I have bought it for myself? If it broke, would I buy it again?
There’s a popular lens having to do with an item getting covered in dog business… gross, but honestly pretty effective.
Do I have other items that speak to this memory that I like more?
The Guilt Lens
Am I keeping this because it was expensive?
If so, am I making money by holding on to it? (unlikely…see sunk cost fallacy)
Can I make money by selling it? (more on this another day… in some cases, yes, but the juice is rarely worth the squeeze when it comes to reselling)
Am I keeping this because it was a gift?
Probably going to make some enemies here, but once you have received a gift (graciously!) and thanked the giver… you are no longer beholden to them to keep it.
Exception: one or two “safety” gifts for those stinkers who “check in” on their gift periodically. Ugh.
Am I keeping this because I don’t want it to end up in a landfill?
Keeping it physically out of the landfill doesn’t make it not trash. If you aren’t using it and it’s not bringing you joy, and you don’t know of another person or organization who can use it or love it… let it go.
Am I keeping this because it fits in with a life I want to have or used to have?
Ouf, this can be a tough one. If you have an exercise bike that has been holding coats for three years… it can probably go. If letting go of the idea of being a bike-from-home person pains you too much to consider… get back on that bike, bud!
The Legacy Lens
If I died tomorrow, would I want my loved ones to have to deal with this item?
Do my loved ones want this item?
If someone made a museum of my home, would this item make the cut? Does it help tell my story?
We’re always curious to hear what works, so drop a comment below or share on Instagram.