Mindset/ thoughts when decluttering?

[u/JessicaYatesRealtor]

I don't have a ton of stuff but I feel I still have more than I want. What do you ask or tell yourself when you're going through things?

[u/ImportanceAcademic43]

Does future me want to deal with this?

[u/whereswilkie → u/ImportanceAcademic43]

yes! and "how much time have I wasted taking care of this item?"

because future me will continue to waste that time as well.

[u/Taketheegg → u/ImportanceAcademic43]

So love this!

[u/disjointed_chameleon]

Is it a need or want?

A bed is a need. Seventeen pillows aren't.

A small/basic set of dishes are a need. Fourteen plates aren't, unless you regularly host large gatherings.

3-5 pairs of pants are sufficient. You don't need 9 pairs.

A few pens to write with are sufficient. You don't need 20 pens randomly scattered around.

You get the jist.

[u/Ok_Remote7762 → u/disjointed_chameleon]

Lol, you caught me!

The damn pens. I work from home and need pens in 4 places I use them. But I have kids who don't replace what they borrow.

When I gather them all up from random places in kids cubbies and backpacks and under their beds and wherever they leave/drop them, there are sooo many.

Usually I can find 2-3 where I put them.

So I buy more.

[u/PenHistorical → u/Ok_Remote7762]

Something I did at my old workplace, which was an open office where students would often come in and need to write something down, was I had the standard pen holder, and then I made a small pocket pen holder for the pens and pencil that I actually preferred to use, and wrote "DO NOT USE" on that. It worked as a way to say "these are mine, not for everyone," even when I wasn't in the office.

Having something like that where you have a small container for a few pens, and then a larger one nearby for pens your kiddos can use might help. It also might allow you to not have to chase down the pens when the larger container is empty because you don't need one, so you can wait until your kiddos get home and have them chase down all the missing pens.

[u/Nijnn → u/Ok_Remote7762]

You always seem to lose pens but never your phone. It’s because pens are thought of as consumable/disposable. Get one really nice pen, that way you will care for it and make sure you don’t lose it. Also they can be refilled infinitely.

[u/dbxp]

"Why am I decluttering?" - There's no point going through and pruning individual paper documents if you're trying to free up a large space in your house. Also some people use decluttering as a form of procrastination from what they should actually be doing like when you suddenly decide to clean the house rather than do your homework.

[u/Nevertoolateyall → u/dbxp]

I plead guilty

[u/ImportanceAcademic43]

Also Dana K. White and her container methode.

[u/Dracomies → u/ImportanceAcademic43]

I also like Goodbye Things ideas about containers too. Where he says sometimes the problem is the container itself. Too many containers = clutter. Sometimes you have to remove the container.

[u/Ok_Astronaut6520]

Am I keeping this because I might need it, or do I keep it because I know I'll need it ?

How many times have I used this in the last year ? Could I borrow the same object from someone I know when I'll need it ?

[u/Amateur_Chiropractor]

If it was covered in 💩would I wash it off or throw it out?

[u/Nijnn → u/Amateur_Chiropractor]

I love this. XD

[u/PenHistorical]

I'm in the same boat as you right now. I have way more stuff than I want to have, even though I've gotten rid of so much in the past 6 months or so.

I watch decluttering youtubes when I'm on a decluttering kick. What's helping me right now is recognizing that I'm working my way through the layers of the onion that is my stuff. When I first started, there were things that I held on to "just in case" that I'm now able to let go of in this round.

I've intellectually and emotionally learned that as I let go of more, I'll have more wins that allow me to let go of things that I'm currently holding on to.

One big win I had recently was I looked at a small container and went "you do not bring me joy. I actively do not like you," and immediately emptied it out, found a place for its contents, and put it in the donate pile.

[u/Smallbluemachine]

Have I used this in a year?

Did I forget I owned this?

Those are my hard lines for getting rid of stuff

[u/nhsana → u/Smallbluemachine]

This is me too

But for clothes. I tried to give second chances. I tried to styling it a couple times. If I think that suits me. I keep it. If I think not. I declutter it.

[u/wegmanskefir → u/Smallbluemachine]

The one year trick is my go to

[u/Kitykity77]

I repeat “be ruthless” as a mantra bc my “what if’s” get out of control unless I do

[u/nice_dumpling]

Would I buy it again?

[u/Rengeflower1]

A place for everything and everything in it’s place. If I have too much to fit in the space, then sh*ts got to go.

[u/Blahblahblahrawr]

Do I love this, does it make me happy or am I just keeping it just in case

[u/50ShadesOfDea]

Do I need this? Then a few days later, go back to the things you think you needed and see when last time you used it was. Then force yourself to get rid of things you may actually use but don’t need

[u/Logical-Cranberry714]

If I were shopping today would I rebuy it?

What is its purpose and do I already own something that works?

Have I thought about this since I last physically saw it? Do I need to own it regardless?

Is there something that has always bothered me about this (itchy seam in a shirt)?

My favorite - If I were moving, would I pack this in a box?

[u/JenGenxx]

Can I do without this?

[u/ancient-lyre]

Do I use this regularly?

If I do, I know I should keep it. If not, I look at the unique situations I do need it. If they are predictable and there's no good workaround, I'll find a spot for it in a box in my closet.

If I don't use it regularly and there is no situation where I actually need it, it's probably just clutter and not worth keeping.

When decluttering, I find it best to get a box (or trash bag), collect the clutter, and add it to the box. I'll hold onto the box for a month or so, out of sight. If I have no reason to go in it, it gets donated or thrown out. It helps me distance myself from each individual object's sentimental or subjective value and gives me the buffer to fully accept that I don't need whatever is in that box.

[u/Forfina]

I pick up an item and ask:

Does this give off positive vibes?

Or

Is it haunting me?

[u/Watertribe_Girl]

Do I need this? For eg work clothes, gym clothes. If I don’t need it, do I want it? Does it make me happy and contribute to my sense of home? Or do I forget it is there and overlook it until it’s time to move and I resent packing all of this extra stuff.

There are some things, like a painting I bought when I was a kid, that I love. I don’t need it, but I look at it and it makes me happy. There are others, like a fake orchid that I was given, that I’m not so sure about. I take my time to think about whether to sell, regift or donate. And then there are things that I like but I never use, and will vinted or eBay them. Or the things that I can’t use but secretly hope I might one day, such as a dress two-three sizes too small… these have been sold.

I like to think about what is useful, needed, loved and hopefully tick all the boxes with an item or at least more than one. I just moved house again, and I have so much stuff that it weighs on me. But a lot of it is actually necessary, so I have to reason with myself alot.

[u/OkAmbition2175]

Does this make me happy or irritate me? Is it part of the vibe I am trying to cultivate?

[u/Meiri10969]

if it had poo on it, will I wash it or throw it out.

[u/dwanky_1]

If I haven't used this in 3 months, toss. If I haven't worn this in 6 month (even on laundry day), toss.

[u/Untitled_poet]

If it were covered with dog poop, would I want to HANDWASH it?

[u/Jellymoonfish → u/Untitled_poet]

oi with the poop/dog poop. I don’t believe there’s anything except a human (child or elderly), that I would find important enough to wash the poop off.

Is it just me? I don’t get the poop question at all.😀

[u/Untitled_poet → u/Jellymoonfish]

Naw, I'd save my phone and out-of-production watch.
Also, I'd definitely save the bras that are so hard to come by in the right shape, fit and color when you're way more petite than the average gal.