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?”
Karen Chow says
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!
Karen Trefzger says
“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.
Marsha says
I tend to like things that “suggest” the holiday rather then be an actual Christmas decoration; like just a red and white quilt on the bed. Or something green like a dish used for a candle etc. Whatever I have on hand. I have old crock canning jars that have bittersweet in them in Fall, greenery and a snowman for Christmas and different spring flowers in warm weather. I notice when I look at a holiday magazine and see that subtle type of decorating, it feels calmer but still festive. I do have a Christmas tree.
July 4th I bake a cherry and blueberry pie with pie dough crust stripes and star cut outs. Pretty decoration that gets eaten.
Denise J. says
A question that works for me is “What else could I use this $20 for, instead of buying this new thing?”
Cass V says
Love this question as well !
We have been working on growing our own fruit and veg, I had a heap of tomato seedlings come up in my herb garden , so of course I needed to build/ buy a new garden Bed. While I was in the hardware store, I realised I didn’t want to spend so much money. So I thought … What could i use instead? I remembered I have these great planter boxes that I haven’t used since moving, instead bought some plastic to line them , same job complete for 1/4 of time and cost & we didn’t bring anything else into the home!
Julie says
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 ?.
Wren says
This gave me a chuckle and a half. Our husbands would probably instantly bond over this. Mine too, isn’t quite sure what to make of all this, but he’s mentioned how much he enjoys the peace and calm around us more now. I’m being gentle also, but I cannot hang another shirt or pair of pants on his side of the closet on laundry day so the hammer is about to fall. We share a small closet.
Benita says
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.
Tripura/ Tracie says
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.
Dana C. says
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.
Jaye says
Well said!
Shawn-del Cortese says
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.
Bethany @ Happily Loco says
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.
Pat Tristram says
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.
Beth says
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.
Doreen says
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!