10 Questions to Help You Make a Decluttering Decision
/When I work with a client, I often help them decide what to keep and what to discard. Below are some of the questions I might ask them to help them decide. And for the record, when I say “discard,” I don’t necessarily mean “throw away”! Discarding something simply means that you no longer want to keep it – the item itself can be tossed, but also sold, donated, upcycled, recycled, given to a loved one, etc. As a matter of fact, if what is holding you back is knowing how to dispose of your item, I’ve got a blog post for that too!
First, know that the question you are instinctively asking yourself is often the answer. If you are holding up a dress and asking if it’s too short, it means that you feel like it’s too short for you, and there’s your answer. It does not matter whether the dress is objectively too short or not, because *you* feel a bit awkward in it, and therefore, it does not spark joy *for you*. Let it go!
That being said, if you are in a situation where you are on the fence about discarding an object, here are ten questions you can ask yourself to arrive at a decision.
1 – Do I love this item? If you love it, then you would almost always want to keep it. If not, then why do you still have it?
2 – Do I use this item? Maybe it is something that could be useful in theory, but it just doesn’t fit your lifestyle. Maybe it’s tied to your past self (and you’ve moved on) or your fantasy self (which is not realistic). It’s also possible that you use it, but do not actually like it, in which case you could upgrade to an item you do like.
3 – Is this something I would buy again today? Let’s say you bought a sweater that looked really nice, but now you feel self-conscious wearing it, you’re always pulling at it, it’s too scratchy, etc. Or you spent a lot of money on it, so you feel like letting it go would be wasting that money, but you don’t actually use the item (newsflash: that money is gone already, and keeping the item won’t bring it back). Another way to look at this would be to ask yourself whether you would bring it with you if you moved, or whether it would be worth the effort to clean it if you spilled red wine on it.
4 – Do negative feelings come up when I look at it or handle it? Think for example of “closet bullies,” those clothes that make you feel guilty – because you spent a lot of money but do not wear it, or because you have gained weight and it no longer fits. It could also be a gift that you do not actually like. You deserve better than being bullied in your own closet! Think of your closet as a party when you know everyone and like everyone, and curate your guest list accordingly.
5 – Is it worth the time, money, and energy it takes to maintain it? Everything you own takes up space, both physically and mentally, and will require maintenance. It could even end up being in your way all the time. Maybe you don’t want that board game with a million little pieces to put away each time. Maybe your nice Airstream trailer has turned into a white elephant.
6 – Am I keeping it because it needs to be repaired? There are often items in our home that we keep because we intend to repair them, or they are a project that we thought we would finish. It might be time to cut your losses on that one!
7 – Is this something I could borrow or rent easily if needed? Maybe your neighbor has a tall ladder you could borrow on occasion. Maybe you could just rent a wet vac if you were to need it, instead of keeping one in your garage at all times.
8 – Does it pass the 20/20 rule? Meaning, could you easily replace it if necessary, in about 20 minutes by going to the store and/or for about $20? If so, don’t worry about letting it go – it would not be an expensive mistake.
9 – Will anyone be happier if I keep this? I borrowed this question from Margareta Magnusson and Swedish Death Cleaning, and this is a great question to ask yourself when something is holding you back from getting rid of an item. It could be that you are saving it for someone in particular, in which case, just make plans to pass it on to that person! Otherwise, the answer is usually no.
10 – Is this bringing me closer to my ideal lifestyle? This question is from Marie Kondo’s KonMari Method®. Essentially, you have this vision of the life you want, or at the very least of what you want from your space. Where does that item fit in, if at all?
I hope those questions help give you more clarity when you are deciding which items to keep and which to discard. And if you want my help with your project, just get in touch!
Hi there! I’m Amélie, a professional home organizer in San Antonio, Texas. I help people like you declutter their home, organize their belongings, and simplify their life. I love cleaning out a closet and removing a carload of donations from a home! My goal is to help you create a functional space that will make your life easier and more peaceful.
Interested? Check out my personalized services or book your complimentary consultation!
