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5 Smart Decluttering Questions That Make Letting Go So Much Easier


5 Smart Decluttering Questions That Make Letting Go So Much Easier

Ria Bhagwat is the lifestyle editor at Real Simple, where she covers stories related to health, wellness, life, and home. Prior to joining Real Simple, Ria was a lifestyle writer at a variety of publications, including Apartment Therapy, Well+Good, and House Digest, where she wrote about everything from color coordination to holistic wellness. In her spare time, you can find Ria taking walks across Brooklyn or obsessing over which Broadway musical to see next.

Deciding what to keep and what to let go of is one of life's toughest decisions. While , the pressure to make a choice can feel overwhelming and absolute. Thankfully, Redditors have taken it upon themselves to share some helpful questions that steer the ship on what to get rid of when decluttering -- and they seriously make things so much easier. With a little bit of help, you might be able to toss out items you've been holding onto for years. Here, we've gathered a few smart questions that will make letting go so much more manageable.

It can be hard to recall the last time you used an item, but the more distant its last use was, the more likely it's just contributing to clutter. If you're always losing it or having a hard time finding it again, it might be time to simply let it go.

Inventory requires consistent upkeep, so it's important to note whether you're willing to routinely maintain the item over the years. Do you want to deal with it in the future, or would you rather toss it out? Is it really worth adding to your inventory?

"Would someone else be thrilled to find this on eBay/in a charity shop/on a donation group?" one Redditor writes. "More thrilled than I am to currently own it?" If the answer's yes -- or if you're simply bored of an item for no particular reason -- it might be time to donate it to your local thrift store.

While certain -- like Christmas wreaths, Halloween costumes, and holiday glassware -- might only be used once a year, other non-seasonal items might be given the same treatment. These items can be added to the donation list for someone else to enjoy.

Letting go of can be hard, especially if it's gifted by someone who's no longer around or reminds you of a special memory. And while it's totally OK to hold onto these kinds of items, others might just be adding clutter. It's helpful to be slightly discerning when deciding what to keep and what to toss, even when it's reminiscent of an older era or good memories.

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