Looking to declutter your home? Here are important decluttering questions to ask yourself. These questions will help you decide if you should keep or get rid of an item.
Decluttering helps you get rid of unnecessary items from an overcrowded or disorganized space. But, many people have a hard time decluttering because they are unsure of how to begin and what to get rid of.
It doesn’t have to be that way! When decluttering, evaluate the items and decide what to keep, discard, donate, or sell. Ask yourself questions to determine the value and necessity of each item.
Let’s look at some of the important questions that will help you declutter effectively.
13 Important Questions to Ask When Decluttering
#1. Is this Item Something I Use Regularly?
When decluttering, ask yourself if you use the item often. This question can help you decide if the item is useful in your daily life and if it should stay in your space.
If you use something regularly, it means it has value in your daily life, so it deserves a place in your home..
If you haven’t used something for months and it doesn’t help you in your daily life, you can donate, sell, or recycle it.
#2. Is the Item Something I Love (Does It Make Me Happy)?
If you find that you do not use an item regularly, the next question to consider is whether it is something you love.
Organizing consultant Marie Kondo created the KonMari Method. It focuses on asking if an item brings you joy. This question helps you assess your emotional response to an item.
If the item or thinking about it makes you happy, you should keep it.
But, if the item does not evoke joy or you feel indifferent about it, it might be a sign that it’s time to let it go.
Surround yourself with possessions that enhance your life and make you feel good. This will create a more joyful and serene living space.
#3. Am I Keeping It Out of Obligation?
You must figure out if you’re keeping something because you feel obliged or to. This is important when decluttering. If you have something only because you feel like you should, and not because it’s useful or makes you happy, it may be time to get rid of it.
This can apply to gifts you’ve received, inherited items, or things you once thought you would use. Releasing items kept out of a sense of duty can be liberating and make space for things that truly matter to you.
#4. Am I Holding onto It for Sentimental Reasons?
If you don’t use something often, but still want to keep it, ask yourself if it has sentimental value.
Sentimental items can connect us to the past, to people we’ve known, or to different times in our lives.
You should keep sentimental items if they have meaning for you. But it’s also important to think about whether they add value to your life now or if they’re just filling up space.
If the sentimental value is strong, you might keep the item. But if it’s contributing to clutter or causing stress, you might consider letting it go.
You can also find an alternative way to honor the memory, such as taking a photo of the item before parting with it.
#5. Does the item Serve a Specific Purpose or Function in My Life?
When you declutter, ask yourself if an item has a purpose or function in your life.
Clear and defined items have an important role. They are essential for daily tasks, work, hobbies, and personal care. Keep them.
If the item is no longer useful, old, or doesn’t match your lifestyle anymore, it might be a good idea to get rid of it. This will help you declutter and create room for things that are more helpful to you now.
#6. When was the Last Time I Used It?
Reflecting on when you last used or wore an item can help you decide its fate in the decluttering process.
If you haven’t used the item in a long time, usually a year or more, it could mean that it’s not important to you.
You can make an exception for seasonal items. But in general, if you haven’t used something for a long time, it might be a good idea to get rid of it. This will help free up space and reduce clutter.
#7. Do I Have a Duplicate or Better Version of the Item?
You can ask yourself if you have a better version of an item. This can help you make decluttering decisions, especially when dealing with duplicates.
If you have a newer or more efficient version of an item, it could render the older one unnecessary.
Keeping the best version can help simplify your belongings. It ensures you only have items that serve you well. This improves both functionality and enjoyment in your living space.
#8. Does the Item Have a Home (Appropriate Storage Place)?
It’s important to think about whether an item has a good place to store it. This helps keep things organized and free of clutter..
If you don’t have a specific place for an item, it can add to the mess and make your space feel chaotic.
If you can’t find a suitable spot for the item, it might be time to reevaluate its presence in your home.
To keep your living space neat and make it easier to find things, keep everything in its place.
#9. Does It Still Work?
It is important to ask, if an item still works. If something is broken or no longer works properly, it might be a good idea to get rid of it, especially if it can’t be fixed.
Keeping non-functional items can contribute to clutter and take up valuable space. You might choose to keep the item if it has sentimental value or can be repurposed.
#10. Does It Still Fit?
When decluttering, it is practical to ask if an item still fits. This is especially true for clothing and accessories. If a piece of clothing no longer fits well or doesn’t look good on you anymore, you should think about giving it away.
This applies not only to physical fit but also to your personal style and lifestyle. If your clothing doesn’t match your style anymore it can take up space in your wardrobe for no reason.
Get rid of things that don’t fit or make you feel confident, and make space for items you’ll wear.
#11. Is It Still in Good Condition?
If an item is worn out, damaged, or has deteriorated, it may not be worth keeping. It could be difficult to use and might not perform its intended function effectively.
If the item is still in good condition or has been well-maintained, you should consider keeping it. This is especially true if it is useful or holds sentimental value.
Assessing the condition helps you make sure the items you keep are helpful to your life and space..
#12. Will I Miss It?
Consider whether you will miss an item if it were gone. This question helps measure how much you care about the item and how important it is to you.
If you feel you’d regret letting it go the item may have value to you.
If you think you wouldn’t notice or your life wouldn’t be affected without it, it might be time to let it go.
What I do is, keep the item hidden away somewhere in the house, if I don’t think about it after 1 month, then I let it go. But if I keep thinking about it, I bring it out and keep it in it’s proper place.
#13. Can I digitize it?
Digitizing an item can be a game-changer when decluttering. This is especially true for paper documents, photographs, CDs, and DVDs.
Digitization converts items into a digital format. This can save space and make information more accessible and easier to organize.
You can use a scanner or a mobile scanning app to create digital copies of documents and photos. These copies can be stored on a computer or a cloud service.
You can use this method for important documents that you want to keep but don’t need as a physical copy.
Before you digitize, it’s wise to ensure you have a reliable backup system in place to prevent data loss. Also, think about the security of important information. You might need original copies for legal or official reasons.
After you digitize, you can choose to keep the originals or securely dispose of them.
Final Thoughts on Question to Ask Yourself When Decluttering
Asking the right questions is key to a success decluttering effort. When we think about what really matters, it brings us joy and serves a purpose in our lives. This helps us live with more purpose and satisfaction. These questions will help you decide whether to keep or get rid of an item, so you can remove unnecessary stuff.
Related Decluttering Articles:
- Decluttering Tips for Beginners
- How to Decide What to Keep When Decluttering
- How to Overcome Decluttering Paralysis
