Questions to Ask Yourself When Getting Rid of Clutter

People who live with constant clutter are often the same people who have tried and tried to get organized, but somehow the clutter just keeps coming back. To make matters worse, when they do decide to de-clutter, they find unexplainable mental blocks that just won't let them throw things out.

If you really can't seem to lick your clutter problem, you might want to see help from a professional organizer. However, before taking that step, try facing your mounds of clutter and asking yourself these questions about them.

1. This item has sentimenal value. Fine. But do I ever use it. Do I ever actually look at it fondly? Do I even remember it's there most of the time, or do I simply pick it up and coo over it when I happen to come across it in the back of the cupboard?
2. Could someone else use this? Could I contribute value or pleasure to someone else's life by passing this along to them? If that's the case, consider giving the item to the school rummage sale, the Salvation Army, or other charitable organization who'll find a good and grateful home for your treasure.
3. Am I hanging onto this because I feel guilty at having bought something new? I bought a new phone. OK, so this one still works fine and I probably didn't need to spend money on the new one. So I better hold on to this one because it's still OK and I did pay X dollars for it. Come on now, really---who are you kidding? The new one is now on the wall, so you're never going to use the old one. You deserve a new phone for goodness sake! Give the old one away. Give it to your kid in college, or donate it to charity.
4. Has this item been replaced by a new one of the same kind? Now that I have a new tennis dress, do I really need this old one too? Make a "one in/one out" rule.
5. Is this thing broken beyond repair? Well maybe I could repair it --- but will I? Give it to someone else who actually will fix it!
6. How long have I been kidding myself that I'll ever fit into this dress again? I look pretty darn good in my new clothes that actually do fit me, so I'm never going back to this. Besides, it's out of fashion now --- out!!!

These are some questions to ask yourelf when getting rid of clutter. If you still resist in spite of the logical conclusion that it should go, your next step might be to hire a professional organizer. They have no psychological attachment to your "stuff", so they are often the best folks to help you let go. Check our our Professional Organizer Directory.