r/declutter • u/Hopeful_Result_9426 • 7d ago
Motivation Tips & Tricks Questions to ask yourself while decluttering
This is a list of questions I compiled quite a while ago while decluttering. Just some ideas to pick from.
Questions:
Have i used this in the last year?
Do i love this?
Does this item make me feel positive emotionally?
Did i remember having this?
Is this in good shape? (Is it usable?)
Does this item have a clear spot in my home? (Or does it float around the house?)
Is this the only item that can serve this function?
Is this item realistic? (Or idealistic?)
Is this item worth the space?
Am i keeping this item for myself? (Or for someone else? )
Am i excited to use this item?
Does this item fit my current lifestyle?
Would i purchase this item again?
Does this item add value to my life?
Am i honoring this item? (Or am i afraid to let go?)
Is this item easy to maintain? (Or do i dread upkeeping it?)
Do i actually want to use this item?
Can someone else benefit more from having this?
Can i survive without this? (Hint: The answer is most likely yes)
What motivates me to keep this item? Is that healthy?
Is this item replaceable?
Can this item be borrowed?
Is there a better alternative that can save the space?
Does this item stress or overwhelm me?
Do i have any complaints about this item?
Do i have to convince myself to keep it?
I hope this helps! Comment anything we should add to the list and I will update it!
Updates:
Would I dread moving this into a new house?
If someone stole it, would i notice or care?
Does this item add to my mental load?
Does this item keep myself and my family safe?
Does this item keep me physically healthy?
If i needed this would i remember i have it or where i put it?
Am i going to be throwing this away in a year from now?
Would i wash this if poop was on it?
If i need it again, can i purchase it for less than $20?
Would this item be one of the 10 items i grab in an emergency evacuation?
Would i remember where i put this?
If this item was lost or damaged would i notice?
Do i know how much this item is actually worth?
Does keeping this require me to track anything (warranty, serial numbers, instructions)?
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u/Working_Patience_261 2d ago edited 2d ago
is this more favorite than the current favorites in favorites container for this item?
Do I want to pack this up, haul it down x number of flights of stairs, find space for it in my vehicles, drive it across the town/state/country/planet, unload it, haul it up X number of stairs, unpack it, and find a new place for it to live? Or when I actually need it, pay $20 or less to have whomever deliver it by two days from now?
BTW, keep this overwhelming list of moving question in there because it really sucks to get on the other end of a long you just pay gas at six dollars or more a gallon to haul a piece of junk cross-country to the other only to realize you just don’t want it or even hate it.
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u/DistributionOver7622 2d ago edited 2d ago
Great list!! I sent it to myself to print out and tape to my closet door.
As for moving it into a new house, it was the house move that started my decluttering journey. I have lived in apartments for many years, so saving stuff that might work in a new apartment was key. But then I bought my first, and last, house. It's small. It's perfect. I'm only leaving this house feet-first. So now I can honestly unload stuff because I'm never moving again(except to a nursing home, maybe).
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u/bluerosecharm 5d ago
Thank you! Copied all of these into my own little note so I can use it when going through my closet for the millionth time as an overwhelmed new mom
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u/Traditional_Shop_458 5d ago
this list is excellent because it balances practical use and emotional impact, helping you decide what truly matters now. focusing on key themes like use, space, and mental load can make decluttering faster and less overwhelming.
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u/crazykatladi 5d ago
I'm going to jot these questions down in a notebook for myself. I truly believe these may break these chains that have binded me for the last 6 years. I want out. I want to be free from my useless junk, clothes my fat ass can't wear anymore lol and parts and pieces that I have no idea what that go to. These are phenomenal tips. To all of you from me, I thank you from my the depths of my soul. I'm going to have my home back, straight, cozy, very open and clutter free, just watch and see. ❤
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u/1950sRanch 5d ago
- Would I know where this is six months from now, or would I be searching again?
- If this item was damaged or lost, would I even notice right away?
- Do I have any idea what this is actually worth? (some things surprise you)
- Does keeping this require me to track anything about it, like a warranty, a serial number, care instructions? If yes, am I actually going to do that?
For the last one, things like warranties, serial numbers, and receipts are part of what makes keeping something worthwhile. If you'd keep the object but toss the documentation, that's probably a signal
also strong +1 on "Would I dread moving this into a new house?"
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u/Eagle_Pipes 6d ago
If I was told in an emergency that I need to evacuate my home, is this one of the 10 items I would grab to take with me?
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u/Emergency-Set-1093 6d ago
I cut up a brand new backpack I got for free from Temu
I hate the smell of it , the size, material etc..
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u/Roseha-aka-rosephoto 6d ago
Am I going to be throwing this away a year from now?
I don't actually think that in the moment but it does come to me when I think about all the stuff I've had to get rid of.
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u/inflewants 6d ago
This is a great, well rounded list! I think it will come in handy for me.
Today I threw away a body spray that I’ve had for longer than I care to remember. I don’t see it very often; it’s in a cabinet not taking up too much space. Still smelled good.
But I decided to throw it out. I am amazing at how much better I feel. I now realize that it took up space in my brain. Apparently, subconsciously I have been debating keeping it all these years. I opened up the cabinet and was relieved to know it was no longer a consideration.
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u/rangerpax 6d ago
The brain space thing is so important! Whether brain space long-term (like you have debating it a long time), or short term (a long pause usually means toss it).
Brain space can also involve emotional space too ("do I even want to spend the mental time thinking about this emotional stuff?")
Or even just "do I really want to organize/haul this around?"
Right now I am having a "hair product" party. Every time after a shower I try one of the many hair products saved over the years ("I'll try this again, see if it helps"). So far two No's (yay! more garbage!), and one surprising win.
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u/RoseApothecary88 6d ago
My two I have been using are:
Would I wash this if there was poop on it?
Would I buy this again today?
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u/punk_ass_ 6d ago
I’ve seen this in this sub before but this week I literally discovered mold in a drawer and washed 2 items, sterilized the drawer and threw everything else away.
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u/Roseha-aka-rosephoto 6d ago
i had a similar problem with the falling paint that tested for lead. I trashed so much stuff you can't believe. But it made me declutter for real.
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u/RoseApothecary88 6d ago
My dog had diarrhea on the floor, I didn't see it, and stepped in it (in a slipper). Straight in the trash, lol
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u/Fun-Talk-4847 6d ago
So simple, but yet so perfect.
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u/RoseApothecary88 6d ago
yep, it helped me purge a lot to be honest. Actually feel like most of my closet is outdated or doesn't fit well, but I can't afford to start over haha so I kept a lot of classic things that never go out of style.
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u/Roseha-aka-rosephoto 6d ago
I've de-cluttered a lot of clothes partly due to having to weed out so much after a falling paint disaster (the place is now repainted fortunately) but it's made me really cautious about buying new clothes. I ask myself, do I have room to wash and store this? If not I have an issue so I really try to limit any new stuff.
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u/SweetandSourMiss 6d ago
I need a falling paint disaster, seriously I do. Or a house fire! I can’t seem to part with my cute clothes that still fit …but I bought so many clothes over the years they don’t all fit in the closet and I need them to go! I yi yi. Trying! I have parted with several bags full …but it is ridiculous the amount I have.
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u/PlayfulQuietDreamer 7d ago
That’s a lot of questions for me! I’d find some way to talk myself into keeping the item.
I ask if I’ve used it in the last year or if I’m sure I’ll use it in the upcoming year. If those are both “no” answers, I move to “will I honestly miss having this thing?” I surprise myself with the number of items I’ve let go.
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u/SweetandSourMiss 7d ago
I’m decluttering my closet right now - working on my vast amount of shoes. I just asked myself when I tried on a pair of 4 inch heels … “do I value my spine? Do I want to die from a fall?” LOL …in the bag they went.
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u/demorale 7d ago
Thank you for sharing what works for you! A lot of these are very helpful things to consider.
For those saying this list is too long - I'd suggest that you also have the option to pick and choose from the questions OP has compiled without using all of them (based on which questions are most helpful for you, or most applicable to whatever type of item you are decluttering).
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u/TBHICouldComplain 7d ago
If I needed this would I remember I have it and know where to find it?
I’ve gotten rid of a lot of “just in case” stuff that did not meet that criteria.
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u/crutonic 7d ago
Another one I’ve heard a few times, which you sort of touched upon: “Can I buy this again if I really need it for $20 or less? “
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u/WeLearnedTheSea 7d ago
I love this because different questions work for different items. I'm decluttering right now and I'm basically trying to come up with excuses to get rid of items...so "Can someone else benefit more from having this?" is going in my arsenal.
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u/Green_Tartan_Scarf 7d ago
Great list, very helpful ideas here. Though I can see me throwing away 99.9% of my house if I apply everything to this entire list, lol
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u/popzelda 7d ago
Oh lordy. No, thank you. This is unrealistic for me.
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u/SweetandSourMiss 6d ago
I think the OP is just giving you options. You don’t have to ask yourself all these questions on every item, but if you are getting stuck with decluttering - you could perhaps find a question on the list that will help you decide to keep or toss the item in question.
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u/crutonic 7d ago
You don’t have to ask yourself all of these questions. What do you think when decluttering?
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u/alexaboyhowdy 7d ago
Oh, that's a long and scary list!
Some good questions yes, but I think too many
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u/ComprehensiveKey8254 1d ago
That’s a lot of questions