“I used the hairbrush and thought I put it here. Where is it?!”
If you find it hard to let go of memories or things that once brought you joy, you likely have many things taking up precious space in your home. The more stuff that is here just to gather dust, the more difficult it is to find what you need quickly in a bunch of useless items. Excessive clutter can impede the cleaning process, leading to dissatisfaction in your home.
Some struggle to let go of collection magnets, while others keep outdated and unfitting clothing they think they might someday need again. While it’s best to be prepared for anything that may arise in the future and keep items that might get you out of challenging situations someday, it can be difficult to decide what products are 100% out of use, what can be repurposed, and what is still convenient to keep.
The struggle is real, and nobody can deny it. But as you live in the consumerism era and everything is replaceable, the common problem of “what to keep and what to toss” has been increasingly debated. Thus, several mindful tips for deciding between these two categories have been created.
Let’s see what the proper mindset is when you’re decluttering, as well as what goes to the waste stream and what’s keeping its well-deserved place in your home.
Start With Your Mindset
As stated above, understanding your motivators is the way to finish this long-postponed job. Why are you disposing of stuff? It may be because you already have enough things, or they may pose safety or health risks. It’s one thing to keep your collection of lovely Christmassy bottle bags intact because bottles of alcohol are some of the most versatile presents you can offer to both men and women. When a party pops up, and you’re caught off guard, you just grab a bottle and a bag and are good to go. However, it’s another story to hang on to a collection of bottle caps that you know you won’t complete that “DIY” thing you saw on Instagram. Simply put, examine your motivations behind this undertaking and write something you can say “au revoir” to down on your phone if organizing feels overwhelming.
As people expect different results from decluttering, it’s important to determine your end goal to get the most out of your decluttering session. Once you’ve decided what you want to accomplish in the long run, you can start and take the time to prepare the trash bags carefully. Double-check everything if this brings you peace of mind.
Apply the Closet 80/20 Rule
A rule regarding clothing says individuals spend 80% of their time wearing at most 20% of what’s in their closet. While this rule applies more or less, depending on the level of interest one has in their looks, it can apply pretty well to other belongings. Therefore, the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by doing away with things, remember that 80% of the time, only 20% of what you own is useful.
Another rule that homeowners often neglect is the importance of function over form or practicality over prettiness. It’s crucial to determine how much it is aesthetically pleasing and to what extent it serves any purpose. Keeping things for that minimalist, “Instagram-perfect” home may not be the most practical thing.
Kill Your Emotions
There are several feelings you might struggle with when doing away with things. They include regret about spending a lot of money on things you don’t value, fear that your self-acceptance will suffer once you realize a collection of items (say, shoes) is poorer, or obligations to keep things so as not to disappoint anyone.
These sentiments can overwhelm and cloud your judgment, making you think that junk has invaluable meaning when, in reality, it’s only gathering dust.
Consider These Aspects
Here are three clues that you can do just fine without an item:
- It isn’t worth repairing. It might be tempting to fix something, but it’s not always worth it. Look on eBay, and if your item’s price is less than the repair cost, it’s a clear sign it should go in the trash bag and be replaced.
- You already have more than you need. The inventory is your best friend when decluttering. If you already have enough coffee mugs to supply a cafe bar, it’s time to toss a few.
- It’s something you don’t love. Why would you keep the sweater that a relative gave you five years ago if you’re never going to wear it? Storing things out of guilt isn’t beneficial to any of you. Instead, you could donate it to someone who will value it.
Several indicators that show an item’s time hasn’t come yet include the following:
- You’d repurchase it. Being objective about your belongings is difficult, but sincerely asking yourself whether you’d rebuy something helps determine whether you can live without it.
- It’s emotional gold. However, remember that the more memorabilia you keep, the less sentimentally valuable each item becomes.
- It fits your current situation. Your stuff should reflect who you are now, not who you were ten years ago.
Decluttering Is Not “Wasting”
Many individuals get caught up in financial guilt and are afraid they’re squandering money by throwing away functional items without wear and tear issues. Saving things “just in case” is just a “predisposal.” The truth is that you’re not wasting money once those belongings are out of use anymore. But you could look for other, more empathetic ways to get rid of them, like selling or donating, if they’re in optimal condition.
Cleaning to-do lists, as dizzying as they may feel, can help. If you’re facing decluttering a whole house and it feels intimidating, take your time and start small. After all, there’s no such thing as a 100% tidy home, and that’s fine!
