Ask yourself this: will keeping this item help me achieve a sense of calm and peace in my environment or will it contribute to a sense of clutter and disorganization? When embarking on a decluttering project, it's important to ask yourself some thoughtful questions to guide your decision-making process. By asking the questions below, you can evaluate each item's value and make more intentional decisions about what to keep, donate, sell, or discard during your clutter cleanse.
Do I love this item? Keep anything that TRULY makes your heart sing even if it does not serve a practical purpose. If you hold an item and your heart breaks at the thought of getting rid of it, keep it. The idea of something (e.g. the too small dress that you hope to fit into) is just an idea and not true love. Make sure it is truly significant. One of our favorite sayings is “when everything is special, nothing is special.”
Is this item rare or something I can’t replace? If this is something you can replace in 20 minutes or for less than $20, consider passing it on. Is having doubles of some things, like whisks, really needed?
Do I use this item regularly? Honestly ask yourself when was the last time you used or wore this item? It is ok to have some items for special occasions (that bunny cake mold you use every Easter) but really ask yourself if keeping this item adds value or utility to your life in the long run. Perhaps you could borrow some bigger occasional items, like a banquet table or pressure washer, from someone else when needed rather than keeping them around the house.
Does it align with my current goals, interests and lifestyle? Does this item really represent who I am and the image I want to project now? Hobbies and styles come and go. Priorities shift. Let go of things, like scrapbooking materials, now that you realize years later that you are not a scrapbooker.
Is this item still in good condition? Or is it damaged, broken, worn out, expired, or no longer relevant. We see this all the time when we are cleaning bathrooms with expired products or offices with defunct technology.
Am I holding onto this item out of guilt or obligation? Your grandmother may have passed down her set of Limoges china she bought on her honeymoon. Your son, who is now 25, may have been quite the artist when he was in kindergarten. You may have splurged on that handbag on that trip to Italy years ago that now sits in the back of your closet. If these items aren’t adding value or utility to your life in the long run, it’s ok to toss or donate them to someone who will benefit from it more than you.