Questions To Ask Yourself When You’re Ready To Declutter!

Hey ya’ll!

& Happy Friday! I hope the week has been good to you. I also hope some light info in the area of your home can make your weeknd bliss!

Last week, I helped us redefine what it means to declutter. This week I want to help start your process by giving you some questions to consider as you begin your decluttering journey. 

Decluttering is the first phase in the organizing journey but for most it can be the hardest. 

People get attached to the physical things in their home that are sometimes hard to part ways with. And I get it because these are  things you may be used to. 

My goal as a professional organizer is to come in and help you make sense of the things you own so you can have a better home.

Question 1: If you were starting over would you buy it again? 

The benefit of this question will highlight the significance of what you own. 

When sorting through your stuff, here is our bread and butter question. If you wouldn’t pay money to bring this item into your home today, then it’s time to let it go. It’s that simple. 

After we ask this a few times while sorting, we can begin to see why it’s important to assess your space before bringing new things into your home. 

We’re off to a great start, let’s keep going!

Question 2: Would you miss it if it were gone? 

I like this question because when you get into people’s spaces you hear things like “I forgot I had this..” 

Okay, but do you miss it?

Because that is a good indicator that you can do without it. 

We have to stop, pause and be real with ourselves. Don’t fret — we can do this in love. 

I’m also talking to me too, so let’s see what you have —  is it bulky bedding, inherited sets of dishware, endless bundles of christmas decoration or your kid’s old furniture? 

Your home is now a part of the things we like to consider “lifestyle goals.” 

If you’re reading this right now, it means you’re beginning to try to put action around what you want your spaces to intentionally be like.

And trust me, be incredibly real with yourself about which items will support you reaching these goals  and which items just get in the way of you living your best life. 

Keep any items that are essential to your daily life or that you reach for regularly, and be a little more critical when it comes to those items you rarely use. 

Here’s an example, if you’re holding onto a pair of bowling shoes and you haven’t gone bowling in the last two years, it may be better to let go of them and decide to pay to play at your leisure instead of taking up that space in your home. 

Question 3: Does this item help you achieve the goal for the space? 

I start every project with this question: “what do you want to be true about this space?” and 

if the answers and items do not align with the goal, then it has to go. 

And before you tell me, yes, I know — it might be fun to throw a juicing party “one day”. But if you’re short on counter or storage space, ask yourself if that juicer that you haven’t even taken out of the box is worth the real estate it takes up in your home. I’ve said it before but —  if you haven’t used it the other days out of the year, it may be time for that item to go

When you ask this question of any of the other items you begin to take stock of and there is no clear answer, these items are creating clutter without adding value to your life.  

I know I’ve done it, “Oh, I’m going to keep this just in case”.  If we’re not careful, “just in case” could turn into a garage full of boxes you have no idea what to do with. 

“Again, be realistic about the likelihood of “someday” actually happening. We often save things with the best intentions of getting around to them, but never actually get to it.

If you are convinced you will use an item “someday”, give yourself a firm time limit. Put it in your calendar. If the time limit arrives and you haven’t used the item, let it go”

You want to get into the habit of being able to reach your goals because your spaces deserve it. 

I hope this has given you some peace about beginning this process. 

I know this part of it can seem the hardest, but take these steps and make accommodations for you and your spaces. 

You can do it!

Peace and love, 

Kenika