6 Questions to ask as you declutter
Are you stuck on how to actually “live with less”?
These questions can help you enjoy your space more and live more intentionally in your space as you work on your own organization journey.
Does it work? If it does, continue to numbers 2-5. If it doesn’t, that leaves you with 2 potential follow up questions… A. Can it be fixed? and B. Will I actually fix it?
Am I keeping this due to guilt or obligation? This is a BIG one. When you get a gift from your MIL, sibling, aunt, etc. that you never really liked but felt like you should keep it… If it’s someone that’s in your life/home often, I may recommend keeping it, but only for a year or so. Otherwise, they’ll never know and you’ll probably never think about it again once it’s gone.*
Have I used this in the last year (or ever)? Unless it’s something like from number 3, I’d say it can go 75% of the time… which leads us to number 4.
Can I borrow this as needed? If you’re decluttering, you’re probably sharing updates with your family and friends, and it (truly!) will likely make them want to declutter as well. If you can pair/partner up with anyone nearby to determine who keeps which serving ware, decorations, etc., it will help tremendously in the long run.
Am I saving this “just in case”? Refer to number 4 from above… if it’s a one-of-a-kind, hard-to-find, or expensive item (often they can be a mix!), the rules are a little different*, but these can still often be shared or just removed from your house.
Do I have the space to store it? Seems straightforward, right? Not so much. Just because you have the space, doesn’t mean you should use the space. Those homes on Instagram and Pinterest that you just love because they’re so spacious and clean? They’re not utilizing every single bit of open space. Some of their homes may be larger, but some really aren’t. You don’t have to be wealthy to be organized. I mean it. You can have an organized home and life by being intentional about how you shop and how you use your space.
*If it’s something sentimental, like from your childhood or a late family member, I’d say to just use your best judgement, but don’t let it take over your life. I don’t typically weigh in on these particular items as much because they are deeply sentimental, but the other questions can still help you determine what to do with it.
If you’re wanting some help with these steps or just to have someone do it for you, send me a text, email, message, DM, anything to get in touch and I’d love to see how I can best help you! Looking for some encouragement on the progress you’ve made already? I’m your girl for that, too. Recommendations? Right here!
