7 Questions for Decluttering

Spring Courtright
Mar 30, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Jan 27

Powerful questions to help with decluttering decisions...

How do we decide what to keep, toss or donate?

Decluttering is basically a whole life review...

Every item in our homes represents something - a dream, hope, desire, goal, wish or memory. Sometimes they represent other's hopes, wishes, memories, etc (gifts, marketing materials, family heirlooms...)

And sometimes those dreams, hopes, desires and wishes have been dashed, ignored, buried, stomped on, left behind...

No wonder we avoid doing it!

Today one of my coaching clients sent me a photo of a corner where kids' toys are gathered before diving into decluttering. She said, "I now feel nauseous."

Decluttering is the process of looking at the items we own and deciding if we want to take them into our future - our brains (and bellies) nearly scream with the mere idea of it.

Don't run away!

Here are some simple guiding questions to help make decluttering decisions easier...

I've used these questions countless times as I decluttered and organized my own home, as well as with hundreds of clients as a professional organizer and declutter coach.

If it helps (and doesn't creep you out!), imagine me next to you, talking through each item...

Questions to help with decluttering:

If I was moving, would I take this with me?
Does this earn it's real estate? (ALL spaces in our homes are valuable!)
Is this worth taking time to make a home for?
Am I ok leaving this for someone else to deal with when I'm gone?
If I let this go, will I remember in a month or a year that I ever owned it?
Does my Future Self want me to keep this?
If I keep this, where would I think to find it when I need/want it? (and is there space there so I can put it there NOW?)

Practice listening to and acting upon the first answer that comes up.

The true magic of decluttering: the more we practice listening to answers from deep within us, the more aligned our lives become.

Before diving in, I recommend reading my Top 10 Tips for Decluttering Success

If you're still unable to focus, or are so stuck you can't figure out the next step, I recommend getting support.

If there are deep emotional wounds or memories tied to things you're trying to declutter, or you wonder if you may have hoarding challenges, it can be helpful to work with a therapist.

If you want help focusing and getting a LOT done at a time, I recommend getting help from a professional organizer - I offer a free strategy call to get you going!

I'm right there with you, every step of the way!

XO,

Spring