Starting to declutter can be tough if you've never really done it before. Like anything in life you don't always know where to start. When I work on going through and decluttering I always ask myself three questions that help decide to keep or get rid of stuff.
Is it broken?
This is a simple question that you would think we wouldn't need to ask ourselves but I've found it to be necessary. Sometimes we keep something that's broken because we think we'll fix it up. Sometimes we keep something that's broken because it is something that contains a lot of memories for us.
Are you really going to fix that broken item? If so then get on it and fix it right away! If not get rid of it. Keeping sentimental items is a little more tricky. If it's something like your grandfather's watch that he always kept with him but now it doesn't work that's something I'd be more inclined to keep than a random doll you had growing up that has no more hair.
When was the last time you used it?
If you haven’t used it in 6 months to a year it's gone. I used to be the queen of I might use this some day or I spent money it so I'm going to keep it. Am I the only one who feels like this?
I've learned the past couple of years on my decluttering journey that if I'm not actually going to use it there is no point to keep it. Best of all don't buy stuff like that in the first place.
Can it be digital?
As I go back through boxes with my graduate school papers and readings I've been working to digitize them. I only reference them about once a year so there is no reason to physically keep them but I don't want to get rid of the information. Another one is physical recipes. I'm working with Mom to go through her recipes and scan them. No more clutter in that one kitchen drawer and she can search and find the recipe super fast.
Do you have anything in your life that could be digitized instead of keeping the physical copy?
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