It’s easy to get stuck when you’re trying to pare things down, either just to clear clutter or in anticipation of a move. As organizers, the coaching we do with clients helps them slow down their thought process and ask objective questions.

Here are some questions to help frame your perspective as you consider the true value of items in your home:

1. When is the last time you used this?
2. Would you buy this again today?
3. Is it worth the time/energy/money to pack, move, and unpack this item?
4. How does this add value to your life?
5. Would you really care if this was lost in a fire or flood?
6. How many of this item does it make sense to move/keep?
7. Could you replace this in under 20 minutes for under 20 dollars?
8. What do you gain or lose by keeping this?
9. If you keep it, will you remember you have it?
10. What’s the worst thing that would happen if you let this go?

This process isn’t about letting go of everything, it’s about having clarity about why you’re keeping things. To spark reflections and interrupt your immediate response to the question, “should I keep this?” For most of us who tend to hold onto things, the answer is “YES!” because we haven’t put the thinking into it.

Our possessions tell our story – edit what you have to keep the best story of yourself. Think of writing haiku instead of an epic poem like The Odyssey!