The most difficult part of decluttering is trying to decide if a particular item IS, in fact, clutter! Our analysis of objects tends to be vague as we think, “Someone might be able to somehow use this someday.”
Instead, get specific. When you come across an item about which you are uncertain, answer the following to determine if the thing in question is clutter:
1. I just found [describe the item]: _______________________________________!
2. I got this from [name the place or person] ______________________________.
3. It makes me feel _________________________________________when I see it.
4. I can use this:
[How] ________________________________________________________.
[When] _______________________________________________________.
5. will put it [name a place] ____________________________________________ so I can look at it [name how often] ___________________________________.
6. I would like [name a person or group] _________________________________ to see this because they would think it was [funny, cool, interesting, etc.] __________________________________________________________________.
7. It probably cost ________________________ at the time it was purchased and is probably worth _______________ if I were to sell it today.
I do/do not REALLY want to keep this.
When you first use this form of evaluating clutter, it will seem slow and perhaps a bit awkward, but as you become familiar with the questions, the decision-making process will become faster and more comfortable.
What keeps you stuck with your clutter? Let us know in the comments section below!
Leave a Reply