12 Questions That Will Help You DECLUTTER Your Life

When did I wear/use this last?

If you can’t remember the last time you used or wore a certain item, then it’s probably safe to get rid of it. By asking yourself this question, you’ll only keep things that you actually use.

Why am I keeping this?

Figure out the reason you’re keeping a certain item. Is it because you like it, it’s handy, or what? If you’re keeping it for reasons other than practical or sentimental reasons, then get rid of it.

Do I like this?

This is a pretty obvious question, but worth asking. If you don’t like or love an item that you have, then you probably won’t use it much, meaning it’s just taking up space.

Is this a “Just in case” item?

We all have them. That old pair of jeans “just in case you need something to get dirty in,” or a ratty blanket “just in case you have guests over who need something.” Get rid of these items if the “Just in case” scenario has never really happened.

How many of this do I have?

There’s no need to have dozens of the same item sitting around if you don’t use that many. Ask yourself this question when it comes to extras of any items in your house.

Am I keeping this out of obligation or expectation?

While it’s nice to get presents and gifts from people, if the things we have around our house are there because we feel obliged to keep them around, then that’s not good. Declutter these items and you’ll feel so much better!

How many uses does this have?

If you have an item that only serves one purpose (except for clothes), then you should consider if it’s actually worth it. Most kitchen utensils or tools should serve more than one purpose. If not, then it’s probably taking up space and something else can do what it does.

Do I have other things that can do what this item does?

That leads into this next question. No need to have multiple items that do the same thing. Figure out which one is more useful and then get rid of the other one.

Is this worth it?

Does the item you’re keeping around really deserve the space, time, and money it uses? If you have to clean an item or maintain it often, but you barely use it, then it’s probably not very useful to you and should maybe be decluttered.

Am I keeping this because I think I should like it?

If you’ve had an item for a while and still don’t like it, then you probably aren’t going to suddenly like it. If so, then just get rid of it now and stop fretting over this question.

Does this have value (sentimental or actual)?

Whether something is expensive or has a great memory attached to it is an important distinction when decluttering. Expensive things should be kept or sold (depending on how much you use it). Sentimental items should be kept or passed on to someone else who will appreciate its sentimental value.

How much space is it taking up?

There’s a difference between keeping a shirt you don’t wear a whole lot and a giant dining room table that you don’t like. The space something takes up is a huge factor in deciding to keep or get rid of it. The more space it takes up, the more useful and valuable it needs to be in order to justify keeping it.