3 Questions to Cut Clutter
Three questions to ask yourself to cut clutter in your home
Does this have a function that is useful to me?
Just because something is useful doesn’t mean it’s useful to you. Do not keep items you might use someday, unless they’re part of an emergency kit or stash of goods or tools. Otherwise, the items are just hogging space that could be better utilized.
When I look at this, does it make me feel good or bad?
Some things that we keep, even for sentimental reasons, don’t give us feelings of joy when we look at them. If that’s the case, consider giving the item away. If you just can’t do that, then pack the item away. There’s no justifiable reason why you need to keep things out in your home that you can’t look at and feel joy about seeing.
What’s the worst thing that could happen to me if I get rid of this?
If no reason comes to mind within five seconds, toss it. If the reasons that do come to mind could have come out of a science fiction movie, toss it. Finally, if the reasons are valid and dire, treat the item with the respect it deserves and put it in its place.
How to use the questions in a typical clean up
Let’s go through a few examples. Pick up an item from the counter. Quickly ask the following questions.
Say you picked up a hairbrush.
- Does this have a function that is useful to me? —Yes, but it has a broken bristle and I have another…
- When I look at this, does it make me feel good or bad? —Bad
- What’s the worst thing that could happen to me if I get rid of this? —Nothing
Result: Toss it!
Say you picked up your cell phone bill.
- Does this have a function that is useful to me? —Yes, I can pay my bill from this…
- When I look at this, does it make me feel good or bad? —Neutral
- What’s the worst thing that could happen to me if I get rid of this? —Late fees or my phone could be turned off…
Result: Keep it, and put it where it should be.
If you can learn to treat your home and your things respectfully, and put them away, clutter wouldn’t happen. Because what is clutter? An accumulation of items that aren’t in their place.
The world is full of junk, don’t feel bad about wanting to get something out of the house. Set aside items to donate only if you are positive you’ll get the donations to the appropriate drop off spot within a week.
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