Deciding whether or not to declutter an item can feel like a lot of pressure. Asking yourself these questions can ensure you make the right decision!
Does this item serve a purpose? You'd be surprised how many items end up in your space that you have no use for and have no idea how it ended up there.
Do I even enjoy having this item? The items in our space should either serve a purpose or bring us joy. If they don't, feel good about letting them go, so you can focus on the things you do use and love!
Do I have too many of this item? Keep the one or two that you reach for most often and let the rest go.
Have I used it recently? This is a tell-tale on whether you really need or enjoy the item. For most items, if you haven't used it in the last year, chances are that you don't need it.
Am I keeping it for "just in case"? If you did end up needing the item, would you even know you had it or know where to look for it? Keeping too many "just in case" items can result in this answer often times being no.
Is it easy to replace? Use the 20/20 Rule - if you can replace it in less than 20 minutes and for less than $20, declutter the item.
Am I keeping it only because it was expensive or because it was a gift? You are not saving any money by keeping the item and not using it. Consider selling the item or donating it to bless someone else. If it was a gift, ask yourself if the person gifting the item would want you to have the burden of keeping it, if you didn't really want it? Often times, that answer is no. The joy of gifting is in the action, not the item.
What's the worst that could happen if I didn't have this item? Could you borrow it from someone else or find another item in your home that could serve the same purpose.
Could someone else get better use of this item? Thinking of someone else getting better use of the item can alleviate the guilt we feel at not using the item.
Am I keeping it for my "Fantasy Self"? This idea of a "fantasy self" is not near as naughty as it sounds. Your fantasy self is someone that you think you would like to be or who you were once upon a time... but not who you are at this current time. Example - you keep shelves of books because your fantasy self would sit down on a rainy day with a cup of tea and read a book... but in reality, when that rainy day happens, you prefer to catch up on tv or read books on your tablet. The books end up being dust collectors.