“If organizing your stuff worked, wouldn’t you be done by now?” —Courtney Carver
Organizing our things is important. It is helpful to know where things are stored and how to easily access them. But let’s be honest with ourselves, organizing is always only a temporary solution. We organize our things and find new storage solutions today… but are left again tomorrow, doing the exact same thing.
Finding better ways to organize our stuff holds some benefit, but that benefit is fleeting at best.
However, when we take the step of fully getting rid of stuff we do not need, we find permanent, longer-lasting benefits.
Minimizing possessions is an act of permanence because they are removed from our care entirely. It lays the groundwork for overcoming consumerism altogether. This step of intentionally living with less forces questions of values and purpose. And it provides the opportunity to live life pursuing our greatest passions.
Minimizing is always better than organizing. (tweet that)
How then do we accomplish this in our unique living space in a way that aligns with our lifestyle? We accomplish this room-by-room physically handling each and every item in our possession. And we learn to ask better questions.
In fact, almost all of decluttering comes down to asking ourselves only two questions:
1. Do I need this?
Discerning the difference between needs and wants has become almost a full-time job in our society. Advertisers routinely market items of comfort and luxury as items of need. I never knew I needed so much until somebody told me I did.
Almost all decluttering has to start somewhere. And every professional organizer will ask you to answer this question over and over again: Is this something I need to keep?
This is an important place to start because it provides a beginning framework within which to make better decisions. If we can identify the things we no longer need, we can begin to recognize the things that can be removed.
Of course, our human needs are actually quite slim: water, food, shelter, and clothing. It’s important to note we’re talking about more than mere survival here—nobody wants to just survive life, we want to make the most of it! What we’re talking about is realizing our fullest potential.
The deeper question then that we should be asking is, What items do I need to keep to realize my life’s full potential and purpose?
This question will get us further and provide an even more robust framework to make decisions about what to keep and what to remove. But even this falls a bit short.
Just because your answer is, “No, I don’t need this,” doesn’t mean you are going to remove it—or at least, not easily remove it. We all have things in our home that we know we don’t need. And yet, we choose to keep.
This, then, is where the second question becomes so helpful. And why it is even more important.
2. Why do I have this?
This question moves our thought process beyond functionality and into intentionality.
Ask yourself that question with everything you touch: Why do I own this? When you do, you will be surprised at the answers.
Case in point: Your closet. One of the first areas of my home that I chose to minimize was my wardrobe closet. When I did, I noticed all sorts of different styles and colors and fits—many of which I no longer wore.
And I am not alone in this—many of our closets are filled with items we no longer wear. Clearly, our over-filled closets have nothing to do with functionality. Instead, they have everything to do with intentionality.
Why do we own all these different articles of clothing and so much more than we need? Is it because we love them all or need that many shirts or shoes? No. We buy them because we are trying to keep up with changing fashions—the same changing styles that the fashion industry told us we needed to remain in style.
Additionally, when we look in our living rooms, we notice all kinds of decorations and knick-knacks cluttering our shelves. Why do we have them? Because we love them and they tell the story of our lives? Doubtful. Instead, we bought them because they were on sale, they matched the couch, or those built-in shelves needed something on them.
In each case, we buy things and keep them, not because they benefit our lives, but for some other intention. This realization makes the process of decluttering easier and it holds benefit for almost every item we own: Why do I own these CDs, that piece of furniture, these toys, these old electronics? Once we determine the why, we are better equipped to answer the What now?
Those two questions: “Do I need it?” and “Why do I have it?” form the basis for your best decluttering efforts going forward. They will prove to be enlightening and will open up new ideas about what items to keep and what items to remove.
And ultimately, isn’t that goal? To remove things entirely from our homes that we no longer need… so we can begin living the life that we want.
If you need more help on where to start, check out our Declutter Your Home Checklist.
Karen Gallaty says
Decluttering never worked for me because I grappled with these questions – my mind said I needed most things particularly sentimental. But decluttering in reverse worked because it took away the decision process! Pack up your entire house in boxes – then take items out as you need them. Once you go a few days without taking stuff out, you have all that you need. Then donate the boxes!!! End of story!!! (I did keep photos but plan to make a couple of albums and throw out the rest).
Jen says
This reverse decluttering has worked for me too. I thought I had to move last year and was about 2/3 packed when I found out I could stay. I took my time unpacking to see how my place felt with less stuff and how long it took me to look for/need an item. Very eye-opening!
Jennifer Connolly says
We have gotten rid of so much stuff in February but I still fell like I am drowning. I am going to start again room by room and ask myself if I need it and why do I have it. Thanks for the pep talk.
FM says
Great post. What everyone should bear in mind, is that this isn’t just about getting rid of stuff. Once you declutter, you will also WANT less stuff.
Which means less time spent shopping and more time LIVING. .
Kevin says
I also like the question: “Does this add value to my life?”
It allows you to evaluate it’s purpose in your life, either use-value or aesthetic-value. If it isn’t adding value, get rid!
Maureen says
These questions are similar to what I asked myself when I started to purge. Everything I picked up had to fit in one of these categories. I use it, wear it or love it. I also changed my thinking from getting rid of stuff to letting it go. Getting rid of sounded like it was a mistake or just junk and certainly some of my stuff fit that description. However, I also was holding onto some things that were my mother’s or my grandmother’s so I had to learn to let them go. I kept a few things that fit into the love it category but the rest I gave away or donated. It was a hard painful lesson to learn after my mother passed away that you just can’t keep everything because of the memories the item stirred up. There were tears and heartache but I also realized I don’t need her things to remember my mother. I’m downsizing to a house half the size I’m in now and I’m about to start another big purge. It’s overwhelming but by changing my thinking, I feel like I have the right tools to work with.
Sandy says
Your terminology change from “getting rid of” to “letting go” really resonates with me. Thank you!
Sarah says
I love your second question! I will add that to my toolbox of minimalism
Ramesh Venkatraman says
What you have done Joshua is to change people’s lives, decluttered minds, and touched people across the globe. Thank you for being the person you are.
Marjorie Cooper says
These two questions are brilliant!!
I am going to write them on an index card in the morning and begin tomorrow to go through some of my problem areas!!
I recently moved and I thought that before I moved I was a minimalist. But it seems that I was instead fooling myself. I had a bigger space with loads of closets!
I am now living with my partner and one of my children. Because my partner and I moved from two separate places into one small place I am finding that my stuff is again overwhelming me.
I tried to give extras away and blessing others felt great but there is still to much!!
I feel swamped and like my space is not working. But I love our space and being with those I love is more important than any thing that I own!!
Tomorrow I start again, with your questions! I can do this!!
Ty,
Cat says
Great questions…. tough choices. Can’t wait to do some deep-de-cluttering
Philip Henderson says
I have OCD and for many years have not been organised in all aspects of living. Like many with OCD I have issues with object permanence ie If I can no longer see something, is it still there?
Decluttering and minimalism has allowed me to be in a position where I can easily find things and I dont get overwhelmed any more.
One thing I dislike is having certain things which I cant easily fix like my car maybe in time that will have to go..