I want to declutter. How do I do it?

[V0latile]

I read it's a good rule to throw out anything unused in the past year. The problem with that is that would include things like my microwave that's in a box from my last apartment. I rent a room and use the microwave in the house.

Also there are things that I use very rarely and am glad to have them available when it turns out I need it. I don't know what to get rid of.

 

[Throwawaysoul]

Maybe nothing? How long are you planning on staying there? Donate the microwave and buy another when you move out?! I'm not a hoarder but I hate getting rid of stuff.

 

[V0latile]

Maybe nothing? How long are you planning on staying there? Donate the microwave and buy another when you move out?! I'm not a hoarder but I hate getting rid of stuff.

Buy another? I'm poor. That doesn't mean there isn't shit I shouldn't get rid of. I just don't know what that is.

 

[Remember-Me-Not]

There are various ways to declutter. The KonMarie method doesn't work for me, because I get to keep the item if it "sparks joy" in me. Unfortunately nothing sparks joy so I'd be tossing my whole life away.

The method I'm using is a decluttering game. On the first day I have to get rid of one item. That's easy; I dug through my pens and found something that didn't work and tossed that. On the second day you declutter two items. Then the 3rd day, 3 items. Until day 30. So nth day = n items decluttered. Don't feel bad if you can't get to day 30. I only barely reached day 15 and it still made a pretty huge dent.

It may seem overwhelming, but you'll do fine. About things like microwave, don't feel guilty about keeping that around. You could find a way to sell it, or barter it away. Or it'll find its use some day.

 

[Sensei]

I started out by asking myself: "How often will I use this?" In the end, I even threw away my old school photos. I mean, how often will I look at them? Once every ten years?

 

[enjoy]

felt this. i cleared out my childhood bedroom before my first semester of college and it was extremely difficult to throw some things away. now, i'm trying to get rid of a lot of my clothes and i'm finding it hard to part with certain shirts that i wore on days that were good to me.

i wish you the best. the only advice i can offer is what i did: if you know it's just going to sit in closet, drawer etc. forever, it has no use to you. you don't need to keep things that you don't use at least once a week. fondly say goodbye to it and toss it in the trash. if you can donate it, though... donate it. it feels nice.

 

[Backwood_tilt]

Get three boxes ready, and start picking stuff up and putting them in to those 3 boxes based on:

Box 1: Definitely being thrown out
Box 2: Don't need it, and want to consider throwing it out
Box 3: Definitely keeping

Go with your first instinct about every item you pick up, and which box it belongs in. IF you give yourself too much time to think about it you will always rationalize a way to keep it.

 

[Reallyreallyreally]

Here are some examples of the kinds of questions I ask myself when I get stuck on clutter:



Are you saving an item because you equate value with usefulness even though do haven't actually used it in months or years (think containers, gadgets, cleaning supplies, clothing, toiletries, decor, etc.)?

If the item were to become unusable how would your life be affected? Would you need to replace it or do you have other items that would serve the same purpose?

If it's sentimental would a photo of it spark the same memories and emotions as the item itself?

Are you saving those favorite pants for when they fit you again even though you haven't fit them for ten years and probably wouldn't fit again anyway because your body changes shape as you age?

Are you keeping it because it was a gift and you feel guilty getting rid of it?

Is it an inexpensive item that you would gladly pay the cost of replacing not to have to dig past it for the next year or two?

Have you actually worked on that project in the past six months?

Get three boxes ready, and start picking stuff up and putting them in to those 3 boxes based on:

Box 1: Definitely being thrown out
Box 2: Don't need it, and want to consider throwing it out
Box 3: Definitely keeping

Go with your first instinct about every item you pick up, and which box it belongs in. IF you give yourself too much time to think about it you will always rationalize a way to keep it.

This is a great approach.

 

[V0latile]

I started out by asking myself: "How often will I use this?" In the end, I even threw away my old school photos. I mean, how often will I look at them? Once every ten years?

I threw out all my yearbooks and trophies soon after graduating.

 

[TotallyIsolated]

I LOVE tidying! My parents were hoarders so I can't stand clutter. I find throwing stuff away to be liberating.

My approach is to be ruthless. Consider throwing away *everything*, no matter how dear it is to you or how you think you could still use it. Pick a cupboard or a box or a corner of a room and start digging. Get it all out and go through every item. You'll find there's a lot of stuff you either forgot about or that you can no longer remember why it was important. You'll also find old treasures that make you happy

Once you've taken everything out you'll have a pile of stuff and an empty space. Just take a moment to appreciate the space you made. It's calm and it's tidy, and you didn't have it when you started. You'll probably want to keep most or all of the stuff you got out, but you can only do so at the cost of this nice empty space.

If you can get into the habit of challenging your attachment to things, it will be much easier to keep the clutter at bay.

 

[V0latile]

I threw out 2 grocery bags full of stuff.