In this process of “coming clean,” decluttering has made the biggest impact.
I’ve said many times that I’m in no position to give advice. I’m a slob who is working hard to change and I share my struggles on this blog. I’m figuring out what works for me and hopefully that can help someone else figure out what works for them.
In the past, when I would look at a drawer-full, or a closet-full, or a room-full of junk, I’d get overwhelmed. I could do the big stuff, but when it got down to those potentially useful items, I was stuck. All of the “what ifs” would flood my mind and it was hard to let go of things.
While decluttering kitchen drawers last month (which were completely full of junk), I came up with two simple decluttering questions.
I’ve seen lists before. You know, the ones where you ask yourself a series of questions to decide if you should keep something or chuck it. I think that these will be the questions I’ll ask myself after my house is de-slobified. In my mind, they’re maintenance questions, decluttering questions for normal people. But I don’t have time to spend 5 minutes per item. I have (had) rooms full of stuff, so I have to be able to work quickly to keep from getting distracted.
Like I said, I don’t want to act like some kind of expert, but these two questions have helped me and have inspired quite a few comments from people who say they’ve helped them as well. So I thought I’d put them in their own post.
The two questions are:
If I needed this item, where would I look for it? (take it there)
If I needed this item, would it ever occur to me that I already have one? (If not, get rid of it because I’d just buy a new one if I needed it.)
If I ever achieve “normal person” status, I will need those long lists of questions to make decisions about tough items. But as long as I need to get rid of 7/10 of all the stuff in this house, I need a shorter list. One that doesn’t contribute to my feeling overwhelmed.
I’m linking this up at Works for Me Wednesday at Wearethatfamily.com.
Thumbs up – I love those questions!!
what great questions!!
that's a perfect attitude about items we use. that way you can know if you can get rid of it, or if you really do need it. 
Melissa
I've had that "list of questions" taped to my desk hutch for months, hoping it would motivate me to start decluttering. No such luck. I'll have to give your two great questions a try. Maybe that's what I was waiting for
I especially like that first one!
That first wuestion is a hoot… but so true! just take it there. Awesome questions for my decluttering process as well
~ Emily N. from "too Blessed to Stress"
Perfect questions. I can so, so, so relate to the frustration of decluttering! Thank you for sharing!
You're doing a great job! I've really enjoyed reading of the progress you're making…and even of the struggles.
And the best advice comes not from those with head knowledge, but from those who have been there, done that.
LOVE those questions. Every time I asked myself if I had used something in the past 6 months, year, etc., I would think, "Well, I would have if I'd known where it was!" Which of course then meant that I'd keep it anyway, right where it was, and continue to be overwhelmed. Your first question actually involves forward motion without the guilt/shame. Question 2 confuses me though… maybe because it feels like I already have everything?!
The other question that can be asked is "If I am going to keep it to use it, WHY would I store it?!" I donno WHY I would throw everyday things into a storage bin and hide it into a closet…pens, erasers, scissors, tissues…really? LOL!
Lauren
I love how you refer to "normal people". Whenever we make the house really clean (like for company or something) we call it "normal people clean". Because "clean for us" is a totally different thing.
Those are great questions! Especially the first one. That will help me know where to actually put some things!!!
My favorite question for decluttering is: Would I buy this item, FULL PRICE, if I didn’t have it already?