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?”
Deborah says
I have recently realized this same thing in relation to my clothes. Just because I occasionally wear it doesn’t mean I have to keep it!! I should just keep those things I love that I wear the most.
Pat Anderson says
I had a big light bulb moment when you first mentioned “just because you use something doesn’t mean you have to keep it”. I do not have a lot of stuff and I love to declutter and get rid of things, but I hadn’t thought about the things I do occasionally use until I read your post. It is SO true! I have a George Foreman grill that I rarely ever use, but there is no reason I can’t just use a frying pan if I ever want to toast a quesadilla or whatever I used it for. Also the kitchen tools; when I had three other people living in the house I did a lot of cooking and used more of that kind of stuff. Now I live alone. How many wooden spoons do I need for heaven’s sake?! Lol. Your posts are so motivating and inspiring, thank you for all of the valuable suggestions and advice!
Jen says
I’m going to use this tip on my mom at Thanksgiving. She has a lot of redundant items that are rarely used, including platters. Great tip!
Denise says
The essence is “what does a cost-benefit analysis tell you about the item?” So for Joshua, he realised that six spatulas could be comfortably be reduced to two – and that was freeing for him. The Christmas cookie plate: she was seeking clarity and a path towards right-sizing her life, so jettisoning the used-once-a-year-plate made sense. Joshua offers a different perspective for us to consider, and his writing always emphasises “do what works for you”.
I’m dumbfounded how often people wilfully misunderstand this post (despite Joshua emphasising that he isn’t advocating “get rid of all the stuff you use”), I would draw your attention to these words in his post:
“…taking up more space in my home than the benefit I was receiving from them.”
He offers a perspective, not a diktat.
Elle says
100%
Jelena says
Utter nonsense in my view. We should always keep things that we frequently use and get rid of anything that lies idle, unless it has a decorative purpose.
However long ago we stopped buying things that we need and started buying things that we want. For Joshua it is not easy to distinguish between the two hence the above.
Crystal Ripkoski says
“Frequently use.” Ok. You don’t frequently use a christmas platter. THAT is the point and is not utter nonsense.
Samantha says
I like the aroused debating that this advice unleashes within people! It actually makes me laugh. I firmly believe that minimalism is also about what we feed our brains with, e.g. the belief and ideas we feed our brain with because not all of them are well digested by our organism. Hence, try for yourself before leashing out. For instance, I have an Nespresso foam maker in my kitchen and for many this is a device that just goes forgotten in a kitchen cupboard. Actually that was the case with person that sold me foam maker. However, while this gadget (and I am indeed aware that it is a mere luxury gadget) might be useless to some, it can also generate enormous joy to others. I use it almost every morning when preparing myself a matcha latte. I have given up coffee shop visits a long time ago. Where I live, a matcha latte cost around $7-9 – the second hand but never used foam maker however cost me $30 and while the matcha powder is indeed a little bit more costly, it breaks down to $1.60 per cup. Hence, I recommend whichever advise you come across, challenge it first. Try for yourself because there is not the one solution for all. Even though I do believe minimalism, as in simply consuming less and much more mindfully in the first place, holds the potential to save our desolate human condition on Earth. ;)
Thank you for all the hard work that you put in propagating minimalism because it doesn’t always come easy, does it?
cuphead says
I still keep some of my things when I was a kid even though it’s too old and can’t fit but those are my childhood memories with my family.
Ellen Krohn Solvik-olsen Espedal says
I do too. Ofcorse. It is #childhood. And the red Santa plate would be more cozy for mas than just a red plate.
Kodey WhiteWolf says
A light bulb went on in my head. Have forgotten my 2 large boxes in office closet of clothes etc. Been there 2 + years sooooo will get them out and “stuff into garbage bags/ into car/ head for Goodwill tomorrow 😁😉👍
Also ” Xtra stuff in kitchen & on washer / dryer which gets moved back & forth….50% can go I’m sure. Have to include partner in this 🥴😁