In your quest to declutter, sometimes a good interrogation is in order. If you caught a trespasser on your property, you’d likely question their presence—why not do the same for your stuff? That way, you can determine whether it truly belongs in your household, or needs to be escorted off the premises.
To that end, here are twenty questions to ask of your clutter:
1. What are you? Let’s face it—if you have to ask, the item under scrutiny should already be halfway out the door. It might sound like a ridiculous question, but I’d wager that most of us have plenty of unidentifiable bits and bobs in our junk drawers and garages.
2. How did you get here? Determine whether you invited the item into your life (by purchasing it), or if it snuck in by some other means—like in the form of a gift, freebie, or heirloom. If you didn’t intentionally acquire it, you may have little incentive to keep it.
3. What do you do? If the answer is “not much,” it may be time to give it the boot. You don’t need any freeloaders in your household. Things that perform more than one function, on the other hand, get extra points for versatility.
4. When did I last use you? Good answers: a few hours ago, yesterday, last week. Bad answers: sometime in the 1990s, when my grown children were babies, I haven’t the slightest idea.
5. When will I use you again? Good answer: soon. Bad answer: perhaps in some as-yet-undetermined situation in the unforeseeable future.
6. Would I miss you (or even notice) if you were gone? If its absence would be a non-issue, you might as well send it on its way.
7. Do you have a twin (or close cousin)? Space is at a premium in our minimalist homes; there’s no sense in keeping duplicates, or two things that do the same job.
8. Could I re-acquire you if necessary? This question may spare those out-of-print books, but can effectively eliminate those seldom-used, might-need-it items that can be picked up easily and inexpensively if the need arises.
9. Can someone else make better use of you? Instead of hoarding stuff you might need someday, give it to someone who needs it now.
10. Are you more trouble than you’re worth? If something takes up too much of your time, money, or energy (like for maintenance, repairs, and insurance), it may bring you much relief to let it go.
11. Do you belong to my fantasy self? Sometimes, the only use an item gets is in your daydreams (of being a socialite, world traveler, high-powered executive, etc.). Release it, and make space for your real life instead.
12. Are you valuable? If a little-used item can bring a nice chunk of change, consider selling it on eBay, Craigslist, or in a consignment shop. The money may do you more good than a dust-gathering object. Conversely, if it has no value or use, don’t feel compelled to provide it a home.
13. Would I rather have the space you take up? Every item you own takes away a little bit of your space. Decide what’s more valuable to you, the stuff or the space it occupies.
14. Can I return you? If a spontaneous shopping spree left you with some ill-considered purchases, see if you can take them back. Many stores offer generous return policies (sometimes several months) on unused, unworn, or unopened merchandise.
15. Are you a stand-in for a memory? Our memories don’t need physical objects to contain them. Things can be broken, tarnished, or taken away—yet our memories live on in our minds.
16. Can you be digitized? Turning your music, movies, books, photos, and documents into intangible bits and bytes can free up a significant amount of space.
17. Can you be miniaturized? This is a great question for those hard-to-part-with heirlooms. If the purpose of something is to evoke memories, consider if the same memories can be evoked by a smaller piece (like a single square from a quilt, or one plate from a set of china).
18. Did I forget I owned you? If so, feel free to declutter it without regrets. Chances are, you’ll just as likely forget about it once it’s gone.
19. Do you belong to someone else? If so, and they’re a member of your household, turn it over to them for action (keeping or purging, putting it in the proper place). If it belongs to someone external (a friend, a neighbor, a grown child), make arrangements for its return.
20. Do you make me smile? An item may fail all your other criteria (practicality, versatility, etc.)—but if its presence truly brings you joy (the lei from your honeymoon, your child’s first drawing), it has a rightful place in your household. If it doesn’t bring a smile to your face, make room for something that does.
{If you’d like to learn more about minimalist living, please consider reading my book, The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide, or subscribing to my RSS feed.}
I am going to type up all the questions and carry them in business card sizes in my wallet xxxxx thank you xxxx
Great idea TM. I’m going to steal it – cheers!
Great list! I’m definitely going to print this out and use it to remind me when I’m decluttering.
I am going to forward this post to my hoarder friends… (which won’t spur them into action, but hey, worth a try, right?).
EXCELLENT post.
Far reaching, succinct and love the reminder (and link) to the fantasy self post (that was sooo insightful).
“what Nicole said”
I’m starting to think that I should keep a virtual scrapbook for my fantasy self. Or maybe make a set of Fantasy Self paper dolls. (I’m 32, but am thinking a good play session might get the “fantasy socialite me” out of my system. Or at least keep her away from my credit cards.)
I’ve actually found that Pinterest is great for indulging in your fantasy self, without clutter and without spending money. Haha. It doesn’t even take up space on your computer, bc you save it to Pinterest instead of a file on your computer that you think youre going to come back to at some point.
How funny that you would put these questions up. I am in the process of a “100 day cleanout” and I am asking myself these things every day. I am typing this list up for sure. Or better yet….making a digital copy.
I’ve seen on Etsy that an artist will make a broken peice of a dish into a necklace or earings, cool idea if you really love your dishes then you could get rid of the rest=)
Great post! #15 is a tricky one for some people (including my hubby). He agrees the object itself isn’t the memory, but says it’s a good memory-jogger. Like when he looks at an item he remembers the good time. I guess I assume that he’s afraid if he doesn’t have the item to look at he might not remember or ever think about the good time?
Anyone have ideas of how to respond to that? I’d love to hear them!!
What I’ve found to work for me is taking photographs of artwork, awards, or souvenirs. There is simply not enough space (minimal furniture) to have everything out anyways. By organizing all my favorite memory triggers/magazine pics in one single folder on my computer, I can thumb through them anytime I want a + boost.
You could also group memory photos into the albums with the pictures that accompany that award or souvenir, such as the vacation photos, to get a vivid image of that experience. If you have a great memory though (unlike me), then that part is not necessary.
-M
Why not just note the date of the “good time” as an event in his continuous calendar and have it repeat annually? Set periodic reminders of the event as well. It seems like that would be nice to open your schedule to find “remember that great time we had when _____ was so ____ that we _____ and _____ until _____ finally everyone had to _____ before _____ and ____ dressed up in those _____ after breakfast at McDonalds” even if the actual event or reminder actually only says something like “Allison’s birthday 2006.”
If there’s not a specific date tied to the item, make a mini-ceremony of the item’s removal and use that date for the event and reminders.
Maybe?
Great post! can’t wait to go home tonight and put this list into good use!!!
Thank you!
What a fabulous list of questions! Also, a very smart list of answers. You are my favorite minimalist blogger because your posts are sharp, insightful and actionable. You have made a difference in my life. I’ve purged my closet, the basement (lots of 20-year-old accumulated stuff there,) my kitchen, my kids’ closets, my car, and just yesterday the garage attic. I’ve taught my children minimalist habits and after more than a year of teaching, they appear to be getting it which for me is a big WOW. I am buying so much less and much more mindfully. You have shifted my paradigm and I am thankful. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
To Allison at Quite Simply Home: I can relate to your husband as my partner and kids are the same way. We’ve established that everyone gets a ‘memory bucket’ (a 44 quart size) in the bucket. When it fills up, it must be purged. They are stored in the basement. I hope this idea helps!
Lynn
Great idea on the memory bucket Lynn!
Hey, I LOVE the idea of a memory bucket. I’m going to try that! Does that thing the kids call a dog get one, too? Just askin’
I used apple boxes, one for each (though my daughter has a couple til she parts with recital costumes). They are sturdy, and stack well.
I’ve had something similar to the memory bucket. My parents developed a keepsake box for some of my childhood things, and I have a single storage container for most of my keepsake papers and little objects. Yes, it has gotten bigger over the years, but I have cleaned it out several times and gotten rid of a bunch of stuff. There’s quite a few things that I can’t part with right away, but in a few years they will have lost their significance, and I get rid of them then. Other things hold their meaning over time.
A friend of mine sent me the link to your blog a few days ago, and it’s inspired me to go on a radical decluttering mission. Thank you!
I was struggling just this morning with a pair of “peace silk” pillow covers that I bought on a great sale a couple of years ago and never used because I’m afraid of messing them up (I know, makes sense, right?). I love the design and the colors are part of my color palette; I can never bring myself to get rid of them because they’re so beautiful. I finally hit on a solution just this morning: I’ll get them framed and use them as pictures! That way I can enjoy their beauty (and actually bring them out of storage), without having them take up space *or* get damaged. Win-win!
Kristina
I just love this list!
I started my minimizing journey a few years ago. It began with a big move at which time we rid ourselves of things so it was easier to relocate. I’ve continued to pick up momentum since then.
I ask myself these questions about stuff in my life and it’s very helpful in putting a rational perspective on what needs to stay vs. go. The questions are excellent tools enabling me to further lighten my load with greater ease.
Great list, with the exception of #17. Please don’t separate china collections. If you’re having a difficult time parting with heirloom pieces, either store them away out of sight (as an entire collection), or take a photograph. Separating collections, particularly valuable ones, is simply a thoughtless waste.
I would think that storing a collection that you do not want or use would be the thoughtless waste.
Indeed, but separating them even more so. I was referring to those who might have difficulty with the emotional attachment to heirloom pieces (and might therefore take the advice of separating the pieces to heart). I was NOT suggesting storing them, never to be used again, as a solution.
There’s nothing more heart-breaking than stumbling across a beautiful set (that one might like to purchase instead of a new and often cheaply made set) and finding a plate or bowl missing. Collectors of one-offs notwithstanding.
With eBay and Replacements.com, each lone piece can eventually find its rightful company. I’m a china junkie, and I think it’s ok. Again, it’s just stuff.
I really like this list! I just got back from visiting my 90 year old Mom and as usual she had a decluttering project for me. Out went a large stash of everything ever sent home from a hospital (I counted 12+ elastic bandages alone – she kept three of different sizes), a huge pile of sheets, a rug that was dangerous with the backing washed off, etc, We didn’t get to the dresser full of afghans that aren’t used – next time perhaps. The point is that these things were actually reducing her enjoyment of her home.
I’ve found that the issues I have helping my parents declutter is they want to pass it on to me! It’s easy to say no to most things, but the things that they cherish (and I don’t) are hard to say no too and disappoint them. I figure it may be easier when the estate is being settled…
It wouldn’t be life if it were easy :O You could try this thing that I do: I occasionally take something that my mother gives me and then immediately or after a while pass it on…I now realize this is actually enabling, so I’ll need to stop…
As one who sold, gave away, or donated most of my things just 7 months ago before moving to Hawaii it would seem this list would not apply.. BUT…
Mahalo (thank you in Hawaiian)
Even though we have kept our buying practices to a minimum this last week I looked around and found there are things creeping in that if let go in a 2 years will end up being WAY too much stuff!
It came to light when my sister who is a consumerist shopper and has been all of her adult life came to visit. It was a big reminder that I really don’t need nor do I want most things. Life is so much easier and simpler with less things, more time, and more play.
Aloha Wags!
Great post! I also like to consider if I only have an item because society tells me I should. Gosh, the things I used to buy because I thought a ‘proper’ adult woman should have them. Perfume, a makeup mirror and vanity set, a CAR…
Isn’t that the truth? One of the most rewarding things of this continuing journey is discovering one more item that I thought I needed and turns out I don’t!
I am copying and pasting, then enlarging this list and putting it on the wall in at least one other room of the house!!! Thank you :)
What a great list, Francine, very helpful and fun to read! :-)
I’m a new reader, so maybe you’ve covered my question in a different post. My husband and I are in dire need of de-cluttering/purging. For the last 10 years, we purged every time we moved, which happened to be every 1-2 years for the first half of our relationship. Now that we’ve stayed put in a small condo for 4 years, the clutter has taken over. We want to get rid of not only things, but random, miss-matched fake-wood furniture pieces as well. This is going to cause very bare-looking rooms, and not in a nice way. What is your suggestion in still having a room look nice without buying more furniture to take the old stuff’s place? Do any other readers have suggestions?
Check the archives, this was covered in a previous post.
Hi Jesseca, please don’t be afraid of bare-looking rooms. Francine has some great photos in her archives of rooms with not much in them (including some of her own rooms) – and they are beautiful in their simplicity.
Life can be lived really well where there is space; it’s when we have too much stuff in our homes that we crowd out our options.
I’m also a big believer in not having everything matching. I think if a home looks tidy, well cared for, and pared back, it can look even more beautiful than rooms crammed full of matching furniture and possessions.
All the best with your decluttering Jesseca. Thanks also Francine for such a great post pulling together just about everything we could possibly ask of our stuff!
You may be surprised – they may look bare in a good way, once you have got used to the change and let your eye adjust. Personally I absolutely adore totally empty houses. Ever looked round a place to rent while it’s totally clean and bare? Or surveyed a totally empty room just after decorating? Maybe it’s just me, but I think a lot of place (as long as the decor is nice and it’s clean) look their best like this. After we recently decorated, I used to go and sit on the floor in the middle of our totally empty spare bedroom and gaze out of the bare window. I’ve never felt so calm and at home in my life. I was upset when we put the furniture back in! One thing you could maybe try is TOTALLY empty the rooms first and then put back in the things you want. Seeing them totally empty first may change your viewpoint. If you just take a few things out your mind will inevitably focus on the contrast with how they are now, and might perceive them as unpleasantly bare. If you can appreciate the beauty of them totally empty, you may see it differently when they have only a few things in.
I’m also a big believer in candles and nice lighting to warm up a simple room.
Whenever I’ve been bothered by a ‘bare’ looking spot in my apartement, but didn’t have anything to put there (nore needed anything else), I just painted the wall or hung up a painting. Likewise you could use a wall tattoo. Often enough you can also just rearrange the left over furniture and reach a ‘complete’ feeling again.
If you don’t like the empty tops of consoles, dressers or sideboards, you can as well look into your cabinets and place some of your ‘useful’ stuff there as a decoration – e.g. my teapot sits open on a shelf in the kitchen, as well as regularly used dishes.
Likewise you can get natural decoration that may rot after the season is over (branches or pine cones, flower arrangements,…) or are being eaten (nuts or a bowl full of fresh fruit)
Just don’t buy a new cabinet or dresser… If you strive for a more sparse look later, a wall tattoo can easily be removed – a cabinet full of newly aquired stuff is by far harder to get rid of. (and it WILL be full of stuff after a while – all containers fill themselves…)
Things don’t have to be completely bare. This has been suggested before by Francine and other readers, but pick a few special items or a picture and display them. Rocks, dried flowers, a painting, I believe Francine had a small Japanese doll. Having a lot of space around them will allow you to appreciate the thing more, rather than having it disappear into a wash of stuff. Or pick a few splashes of color, such as a pink pillow for your couch. Give yourself a few days to get used to the look. You can always change it back.
I’m a bit leery of digitizing everything. But I am going to go through my photo albums and keep only some of the many many pictures.
Great list of questions! The hard part is knowing the answers and STILL not having the strength to get rid of it (like the mysterious power cables in the junk drawer or the good quality CD holder that is empty now)
I’ll have to read the questions again tomorrow morning with fresh eyes and energy.
Love this Francine! What a great list. I will be using this as I declutter and purge even more!
Bernice
Six steps to stop procrastinating today
Question 9 (Can someone else make better use of you?) is my go to. Do I really need so many things when there are people in my own neighborhood that have so little?
Sorry, Francine, but this post gave me an urge to purge it into 2 or 3 basic questions. :) Which ones would you choose to be the most important?
I use three little words: don’t need it
Nice list of questions. I’d say you should also ask #1 & #3 of yourself before starting the decluttering.
As far as #17, I think what was meant by Natalie is often the dollar value of many antiques or collectibles goes down when sets are split up. People tend to want sets, not single pieces, regardless of how chic decorators make it look in magazines.
Jesseca – give the uncluttered look a chance, sometimes it takes a while to get the eye used to it. And if you still find it too uncluttered, consider a big plant, mirror, or art piece. Here’s a site with a room done in a marker mural, and not much furniture -http://www.kentucky.com/2008/09/23/532854/man-decorates-basement-with-10.html
Love this list! My personal “test” for whether to keep something is, 1) Is it (regularly) useful? and 2) Does is make me happy? If it meets one of those qualifications it’s allowed to stay. However, your list is a much more thoughtful evaluation :)
Another wonderful post. Now that it’s the end of year, I’ve got VVA coming in for another pickup, this time yet another piece of furniture, 7 boxes, & 2 bags! Oh, and almost ALL of my holiday decorations which, for me, are a time/care suck. I’d rather be hiking in the woods, not entertaining. Give me some pinecones on the mantle & some fresh wreaths, the Nutcracker on the stereo, and some homemade soy hot chocolate–bliss!
For #16 and #17, you can take a picture of the heirloom item and then get rid of the item. That way you can remember it, but you don’t need it around if you don’t really want it.
Jessica,
Why don’t you sell the stuff you don’t like and get a piece of furniture that you do like? That way you won’t feel like it is so bare.
This post, just like all of your other ones, has really inspired me. Your book has also! I discovered and purchased your book about a month ago. I read it in its entirety while “watching” the kids’ homecoming game. Anyway, you have changed my life! Just last weekend, I managed to declutter an entire basement (three large rooms) of stuff. I’d tried to accomplish this for more than a year, and then after reading your book, it all hit me. The tips therein and those posted here helped me really nail it, and I am glad to say, that am almost completely clutter free. It’s mind blowing. I feel so free…and yes, happy! Thank you. I will save this post on my iPad and try my best to memorize it. It is, after all, life-changing stuff. You rock!
I’ve found the concept of the “fantasy self” so helpful in thinking about how i accumuluate some truly useless clothing. After finding that phrase on one of your earlier posts, it hit me that I really do imagine myself as a socialite – and in need of the latest sparkly party wear – when i’m nothing of the sort. thank you for the wake-up call. I’m hoping to incorporate some of your wisdom in a three month experiment I’m doing to rein in my shopping habit. If you’re interested come on over to theshoppingcure.com where I’ve started blogging my way through :).
Having a hard time tonight. Just sold my second living room set: couch, end table, coffee table. Poof. Gone. Guy found my listing on craigslist. It was my fantasy cowboy/ranch style furniture outfit. It also held memories of raising my children. We loved our rec room,but I don’t need 2 full sets of living rooms furniture and after 1.5 yrs of selling everything, my house truly feels bare now. I’m kind of in shock. But I know I want to downsize and my far sighted goal has to overcome the short term emotional feelings. It’s so hard. I feel so poor without all my stuff and my house feels huge and empty now. In major self pity mood and putting on an act for the kids that it’s all okay. And I do I know it’s worth it. The second living room didn’t pass any of Francine’s bullets. Why do we Americans feel so poor without all the bling in life. My savings account from selling everything is pretty padded, but stuff does make you feel richer. But I’m not going backwards. Forward marching we go.
Good for you Cynthia! After a lifetime of filling up our space it may take some time to adjust to a ‘bare’ room. Perhaps it’s time to rearrange the room so it’s no longer oriented towards the ‘missing’ item/s?
I congratulate you on getting rid of your lounge suite – mine is earmarked for moving on, but currently hiding behind it are all manner of other items that have to go first!
Thanks Debra. Thanks for your words of encouragement. I really want to reach my goal in life so I appreciate your kindnes during this time. I’m hoping it only lasts a week or two.
Cynthia, good job! I completely relate to your feeling that your lifestyle is lacking something after the purge. Personally, I fill all the time and space that I’ve gained by not worrying about things and getting more things with my many hobbies and activities. I’ve got a ton of time to spend with friends, read, cook, bake, etc. that I didn’t have when I felt like I needed to maintain a large wardrobe, redecorate every year, and so on. An empty home comes in handy when you don’t have time to clean it because you’re too busy doing fun stuff!
Thank you Ali. You are pointing me in the right direction and I appreciate that.
It’s the non-material things you mentioned that show you are on the right track and I need to be also.
Cynthia, I was thinking about your post and how you say your house feels empty and huge. Well having a huge house, that sounds awesome! Removing stuff from a smaller space makes a place look bigger and grander. Have you ever been to a super rich person’s home and noticed how BIG the space is – room to dance, twirl and hear the echoes of your high heels? And how usually it’s so CLEAN and uncluttered and each item is just gorgeous? That is essentially what you’ve done to your home. So congratulations! I don’t think it seems poor at all, just the opposite in fact.
Just to clarify, the second living room didn’t pass any of Francine’s bullets ANYWAY.
I have been planning on selling it for awhile now. Minimalists have to think for themselves. I appreciate Francine’s encouragement and everyone else’s stories along the way.
Another thought-provoking post, Francine. I don’t know if I could be described as a minimalist, or ever would reach that status, but I find that I want to have more and more of less and less. :) My home is very small so that even a modest amount of possessions seems cluttery, excessive and burdensome.
So many things to tend which end up sapping vitality and detracting from rather than enhancing life. I find it easy to give away things which are not needed and for which there is an easily-identifiable recipient, such a friend or a thrift store. What I have stuggled with is those items which cannot be taken into thrift stores (or charity shops, as we know them here in the UK) like electrical goods. Or things which no longer work properly, or are components of other things long-departed, like those blessed proliferating computer cords. Or are high-volume and low-value such as jamjars. I have found Freecycle an absolute boon for re-homing such things to people who desperately want them. I feel my spirits rise with every departure and love looking at the empty spaces where they used to be. I love giving stuff away far more than I enjoy shopping. Minimalism is truly seditious.
Please keep posting, Francine, and all those other people who are sharing their journeys with strangers via the web; I get so much from reading your posts and blogs- thank you.
I have just starting moving my stuff out via Freecycle. It’s a great feeling to know that someone will get some pleasure out of things that no longer fit in my pared down life.
Francine, i read your whole book. I feel like i wrote it and then read it. I wanted to add with books i re read and underline parts i love and email them to make a sort of book juice. I think life is about learning, spending time in nature with loved ones not climbing the corporate ladder and gathering possessions. Thanks for the breath of fresh air and to know that there are like minded people in the world! Safe life travels.
Anya
Thought provoking questions! These are helpful to determine the worth of something in our lives…
Thank you to all those who replied to my question with thoughtful and insightful answers! I’m so excited to take charge of our clutter and create more zen-like rooms. Right now, I don’t even have a place to do yoga without moving furniture, and that’s ridiculous in a 900 sq. foot space.
Brilliant – I love your blog and have linked this article to mine.
1st comment from an aspiring minimalist. Thanks a lot for this list. It’s quite comprehensive and it’ll make it easier and more rational to purge plenty of place holders in my house.
simply awesome. i’m gonna try it. :)
I have had problems with my computer reading USB’s and my printer which is why I could not print this wonderful list so I could have it with me during my decluttering sessions including in the garage. I then looked at my phone and thought I could either take a photo of the list, or scan it with my phone app…it makes it a PDF file. I use that in my decluttering to scan documents on the spot that I need to keep instead of having to put them in a pile and then file or scan if my computer was reading my printer/scanner at a later time, which ends up being another project or another stack I have to go back through. Now I can just toss the documents as I come across them. :-)
I’ve found myself coming back to this set of questions again and again when clearing clutter – I printed them out so I can refer to them quickly (I know, creating another possession in the process, but in this case it was worth it!). Thank you Miss Minimalist!
I find my problem is that I don’t feel I own the clutter so don’t have the right to remove it… For instance 10 year’s worth of husband’s magazine collections’ ;children’s books and their junk…the girls are in the process of leaving home, but don’t have space. And then there is the stuff from clearing out my in laws house…