Recently, I posted a quote on Facebook, without commentary, and the crowd went wild:
“Just because you use an item doesn’t mean you need to keep it.”
Some people told me I was absolutely crazy:
- “Are you dim?”
- “That’s illogical.”
- “Probably the worst decluttering tip ever.”
Others found the idea liberating:
- “This is fantastic.”
- “This is actually so true.”
- “I need to do this exact thing!”
Personally, I find the thought so incredibly freeing—especially when someone is actively working to own less—I wanted to repeat it again here.
It seems to me that a lot of people took the quote to mean that I was telling people to get rid of every item they use. “This is terrible advice. If I got rid of my comb, I’d have to brush my hair with my fingers.” “Why would I ever get rid of something that I use?”
But I’m not encouraging us to get rid of everything we use just because we use it.
“Just because you use an item doesn’t mean you need to keep it” is different from “Get rid of every item you use.“
In reality, our homes are filled with a whole bunch of things we think we need just because we occasionally use them.
“I can’t declutter this item because I use it,” is a thinking trap we fall into that can keep us stuck and keep us from making progress freeing up space, time, and money.
As an example: When we first started minimizing our possessions, we had six spatulas in our kitchen, and from time-to-time, we used each of them. But that didn’t mean we needed all six. I only used them because they were there. Our kitchen functions way better, and I love cooking more, now that we only own two and I’ve never needed more than that.
Likewise, before minimalism, I probably owned twenty pairs of pants. And from time-to-time, I wore all of them. But I didn’t need to own all of them, and I learned that through a Project 333 Experiment. Today, I find getting ready in the morning easier and more enjoyable now that I only own five pairs.
And don’t get me started on all the kitchen gadgets that I used (George Foreman grill comes to mind), but were taking up more space in my home than the benefit I was receiving from them.
I once helped a lady declutter her kitchen. She knew there was too much stuff, but was struggling to figure what she could remove. I stumbled upon a red Santa Claus platter in an already overstuffed cabinet.
Hoping I had discovered an item that could quickly get donated, I asked, “What about this platter? Do you use this?”
“Oh yes,” she replied, “I put cookies on it every Christmas Eve.”
Sensing hesitation, I asked a follow-up question, “Well, what would you use if you didn’t have it?”
Within seconds she was able to answer, “I’d probably just use one of the red platters from that other drawer.” That answer was a lightbulb moment for her (and me). Just because you use an item doesn’t mean you need to keep it—especially if you have something else in your home that already accomplishes the same purpose.
Minimalist principles will always look different from one family to another. And if you are a minimalist living in a tiny home with only 100 possessions, this decluttering tip may not be particularly helpful for you.
But for those of you reading this blog who are working hard to own less and struggling to make progress, remind yourself that just because you use something doesn’t mean you need to keep it.
There are life-giving benefits to owning less. And there is freedom to be found in realizing you don’t need to keep everything you use.
In my opinion, “What would I use if I didn’t own this item?” is a much more helpful question to ask than “Do I use it?”
My extreme example is my garage. It was my husband’s domain but now it’s mine because he’s disabled. Everything in there has some function, but does that mean that I need to keep every doodad? No!
“What could I use if I didn’t have this” is also a great question to ask before we buy something new! To build on your example (the lady whose kitchen you helped declutter): When you see a cute Santa platter (or any other tempting, but optional, item) in the store, ask yourself “What could I use if I don’t have this?” Then plan to use the thing you already own, and don’t buy the new thing. This would certainly prevent having to repeat the decluttering process next year.
Yes! I just came across your video with this question in it today. A few days ago, I decluttered my avocado tool, which I had been using almost daily. It was getting rusty, and I figured a knife and spoon would work just as well. They sure do, and no rust. My kitchen is a tiny bit lighter. And coming across your video and this article, I realized I went through that exact thinking process! What could I use if I didn’t have this? I shared the idea with my husband, and he became even more scared than before. I’ve been decluttering the things we don’t use, and now I can start on things that we do. He hasn’t quite caught on yet, but I’m being gentle ?.
Thank you, this was what I needed to hear! Have a lot of things at home I like and use, but with this sentence/reminder in mind, I will have easier to part with many things.
I have been reading your blog and your emails for at least a year. We moved from a 1400 sq foot home to a rental home and thought we had downsized. Monthly I go through our stuff and give things away, textile recycle, and donate.
We are moving again, but what an epiphany. We have moved most of our stuff to the new house and are living we just the essentials and I LOVE IT. Now I get it. This is living in a minimalistic way. I feel like such a weight has been removed from my being.
My new goal is to truly minimize our lifestyle as we settle into our new home.
There is too much life to experience, and so many people to serve and help, that it is NOW time to let it go.
Thank you for your continued guidance on letting go of what no longer serves you.
This is a brilliant explanation. I just finished reading Francine Jay’s “The Joy of Less” and she said the same thing, but you have expanded upon it in this piece. And I love your question of, “What else would I use if I didn’t have this particular thing?” You are right about using what you have, but if you have 50 T-shirts, you don’t really need that many. By the way, I probably have 100+ different T-shirts. They seem to be a hard thing for me to purge because…I wear (many of) them. That’s just the first thing that popped into my head. I hope to keep your question in mind, as well as the joy of having a more minimalist wardrobe. It helps to use my containers (cupboard, drawer, etc.) as the limit and if stuff won’t fit, then it’s time to get rid of some of it, or even try to free up extra space in it so stuff can breathe (another Francine Jay tip). I am so glad I discovered your journey back in 2016 or so. I still have a long way to go, but I am farther than I was back then. It is a lifelong battle, more a battle for a change of mind, than anything else, and that seems to be the hardest thing to achieve–breaking those long-ingrained habits. Keep encouraging us with your thoughts and those of the minimalist community. All of you together are so helpful.
Well said!
Loved the post! Today, I got rid of a pile of backyard broken toys and garbage. It was so freeing. We are minimalist. We started the journey 3 years ago. It’s been the best decision we’ve ever made! I love this posts bc it helps me look at my stuff through different lenses. There’s always something more to let go off sometimes you just have to ask a new question. Thanks for the new question.
I ask myself, “Does this solve more problems than it causes?” If not, it goes. We live on a boat, so we have to be very intentional about the things we keep.
Definitely a game changer for me after reading ‘what would you use if you didn’t have it?’ My husband is definitely a minimalist which I struggle with. Case in point – when shopping he bought a navy with white trim sweater and when he came home he took a navy sweater to give away. When I asked him why not keep both, his response question was ‘why do I need two’? I now understand his thinking.
Sage advice. I recall reading a similar post perhaps during my course and realized I had several dual purpose items I could downsize. I also like that reaching out to friends or neighbors to borrow a “once a year” or very special purpose item fosters community too.
Thank you for this and the “light bulb moment”.
I immediately see 10 things in my kitchen I can let go. And that’s just the beginning!
The gold nugget here is that light-bulb moment question: “Well, what would you use if you didn’t have it?” – this has me thinking about so many things!! Thanks for sharing.
When i read the title, I thought you were going to talk about renting it borrowing an item when you need it. (An random example would be renting a pressure washer from Home Depot instead of purchasing one that I’d use twice a year max.) What you are talking about, though, applies to my life more than that, in so many ways. I always appreciate your pep talks!
Cleaning out boys room’s tomorrow! Time to get rid of too small cloths again and anything else they don’t use or don’t use often.
The only thing I won’t let them get rid of is souvenirs from our trip to Israel. That was a once in a lifetime trip!
I Totally get it! Before we moved from NY to FLORIDA, we thought we got rid of a lot of stuff. Put the rest of our much needed belongings into a storage unit and rented an apartment for a year while our new smaller home was being built. After living very comfortably in the apartment, we asked ourselves, “ what is in that storage unit that we have lived without for a year?” When we finally moved into our new home, many boxes went to donations. We continue to get rid of things. It is EXTREMELY liberating and feels great! Try it, slowly, one step at a time. You will then understand and love it!! And then you will appreciate what you do have so much more!!
I’m making progress! My son subscribes to this wholeheartedly. For Christmas, I found a shirt I wanted to buy for him. He said, “Mom, what do I need another shirt for? I already have 7.”
I currently have a trash, donate, recycle, repurpose, give to my nephew for his new house, and tbd pile. Now, what to do with all my piles!
Thanks for sharing here. I’m taking a Facebook break, actually may never go back on the platform.
This line “Well, what would you use if you didn’t have it?” – game changer for me. It’s changed how I shop. I’d see a cute dress and think I had to have it but would ask what would I wear if I didn’t buy the dress? I’d wear a dress I already own! I only bought 10% of what I thought I needed that weekend. And then your idea of not owning something even though I use it was another lightbulb moment. I have extra spatulas on hand among multiples of other things (sweaters, jackets, scarves, shoes, travel mugs and so much more). Thanks for changing my thinking on my belongings!
Thank you for this. I’ve been thinking about my kitchen, I love to cook & am a Personal Chef, but I certainly don’t need EVERY gadget I have. I want the “things” to be simple, basic & universal so I will eliminate the “extras”, there are plenty that others can put to good use. Thank you again!
You are so right I’m getting rid of all these darn gadgets I have bought that I use once in a while. Decluttering is great!
I get it Joshua. I got rid of a perfect bread machine. Did I use it? Yes—— but why? When I can easily use my meatloaf pan ?. I freed up so much space. Just one example. Get rid of the cr@p once and for all. Just be done with it!
This thought for me on our jet skis. Do we use them? yes, but are they always needing work? Also yes. Does the benefit outweigh the stress? Nope. Can we find other things to do? Absolutely. This was a huge aha moment. Can’t wait to get rid of them now.