Inside: If you’re looking for tips for decluttering, this post will help you.   If you’ve ever wondered “how do you know what to get rid of when decluttering?”  This post will give you 7 questions to ask yourself so that you can declutter without regrets.

We’ve all been there. You open up a closet or a drawer, and you’re faced with a pile of stuff. Clothes you haven’t worn in years, knick-knacks that are just collecting dust, old magazines… the list goes on.

It’s no secret that many of us have way too much stuff. And, when you have too much stuff, it can be really tough to make decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of. After all, every item in your home has a story attached to it.

You think to yourself, “I need to declutter.” But then you realize that you have no idea where to start. You don’t know what to keep and what to get rid of. That’s when it starts to feel like an insurmountable task.

But it doesn’t have to be!

Where to Start Decluttering

Knowing where to start is the first step in making decluttering progress.  Before you jump in, consider the difficulty involved in making decisions about your stuff. 

Start Decluttering Your Easy Areas First

You want to start with the easy stuff—the stuff that requires little to no emotional energy to make decisions about. This might include things like expired food in your pantry or outdated clothes in your closet.

There are always exceptions to the rule, but generally, the following categories are easier to make decisions on including food, kitchen items, toiletries, old magazines, technology, or electronics.

Declutter Your More Difficult Stuff Later

Once you’ve tackled the easy stuff, you’ll feel more motivated and confident to tackle the harder stuff. Anything that is sentimental and requires a lot of emotional energy is generally a more difficult decision.

This might include things like heirlooms or pieces of furniture that are no longer used but are too big or heavy to get rid of easily. Sentimental items like photos, books, mementos, or memories from the kids (artwork, baby clothes etc.) are harder items to make decisions.

Don’t try to tackle everything at once—take it one step at a time and trust that you’ll get there eventually.

How to Decide What you Should Get Rid of When Decluttering

After you’ve decided the area or category to declutter, it’s helpful to have criteria or questions to help you decide whether to keep or toss your items.  Here are a few questions to ask yourself that should help make the process a little bit easier.

Decluttering Question 1: How Frequently Is The Item Used?

One of the best ways to make a decision about whether or not to keep an item is to think about how often you use it. If you haven’t used something in over a year, chances are you don’t really need it. We tend to hang on to things “just in case” we might need them someday but, more often than not, that day never comes. So, if you’re really struggling to let go of something, ask yourself how long it’s been since you’ve used it.

Decluttering Question 2: What Condition Is It In?

The condition an item is in is also a great indicator of whether or not you should keep it. If something is tattered, torn, or otherwise in bad shape, it might be time to say goodbye. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule (like with sentimental items) but, generally speaking, if something isn’t in good condition anymore, it’s probably not worth hanging on to.

Decluttering Question 3: Does It Bring You Joy?

This is a question that Marie Kondo popularized in her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up but it’s truly a great litmus test for deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. When you look at an item in your home, does it bring you joy? If the answer is no—or even maybe—then chances are good that you don’t need it.

Decluttering Question 4: Do You Have Other Alternatives?

Another question that can be helpful when making decluttering decisions is whether or not you have other alternatives for the item in question. For example, do you have more than one pair of black jeans? Or more than one slow cooker? If so, do you really need both pairs of jeans or both slow cookers? Sometimes we hang on to things because we think we might need them someday but the truth is that we usually have other alternatives that would work just as well (if not better).

Decluttering Question 5: How Attached Are You To The Item?

It’s also important to think about how attached you are to the item in question. We often hold on to things because they remind us of certain people or times in our lives but, if we’re honest with ourselves, those items usually just take up space and gathering dust. If you’re struggling with getting rid of something because it’s sentimental, try taking a photo of the item and then getting rid of the physical object. That way, you can keep the memory without hanging on to the material goods.

Decluttering Question 6: How Obligated Do You Feel To Keep This Item?

Oftentimes we feel like we have to keep certain items because they were given to us by someone special or because they’re family heirlooms. But the truth is that YOU are the only person who gets to decide what goes into YOUR home so don’t feel obligated to keep something just because someone else wants you to. At the end of the day, it’s your decision—so make the choice that feels right for YOU.                                                                                                                                                                                              

Decluttering Question 7: Do You Have Space In Your Home For The Item?

Last but not least, another great question to ask yourself when making decluttering decisions is whether or not you actually have space for the item in your home. We often hold on to things “just in case” we need them someday but if there’s no place for them in our homes then chances are good that we’ll never actually use them anyway. So rather than hanging on to something “just in case,” get rid of it and free up some much-needed space instead!

These are just a few questions to ask yourself if you’ve been wondering how to decide what you should get rid of when decluttering.  They’ll give you a starting point for tackling your own overwhelming piles of stuff!

And remember – once you’ve decluttered your home, maintain the decluttered state by getting into the habit of putting things away as soon as you’re done using them! A little bit of effort each day will go a long way toward keeping your home clean, organized, and clutter-free! What other questions would you add to this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!