When is the perfect time to reframe your relationship to stuff? NOW!
I have compiled a list of questions you can ask yourself before, during and after your decluttering process. In my experience the concepts of minimalism and sustainability are key to maintaining homeostasis and equilibrium- and balancing what comes in and out of your home.
Before, during and after the organizing process you will have lots of opportunities to examine the life of the objects you live with.
Think about your space
Think about your home. How does your current home feel to you? What would you like it to feel like? Are there themes that stand out in your mind?
Think about each room. How do you want to use it? How much stuff do you want to see when you enter that space? Do you envision curated maximalism or super simple minimalism? Something in between? How can you create and maintain the vision for your space? Start by setting limits on which and how many objects you will allow in your home. Curate your vibe.
Before Buying
This is the MOST important step. In our current world it is so easy to acquire more than what is necessary or helpful for our lifestyle. In fact, many of the objects we have often serve only to weigh us down - with clutter, with more things to clean and care for, and with more decisions to make.
*Avoid buying things just because “it’s a good deal!” or grabbing freebies*
Questions to ask yourself before buying
If you want to make more sustainable/minimalist choices consider the following questions:
Do I actually need this? What value will it add to my life?
How/where/by whom is it made? Who or what (if anything) is harmed by making it? Who benefits from its manufacture/sale?
Do I already have something similar?
How many of these do I need? Decide how many shirts you need, how many books, coffee cups etc. and then stick with that number! If you bring something new in, something else should go.
How long will it last?
Will the object outlive its usefulness to you? If so, what will you do with it at that point?
Will it go to a landfill?
If it breaks can it be repaired? Is it worth repairing?
Where will you store it and its component parts?Is it replacing something else? What will you do with the item you are replacing? Before storing:
How often will you use it? What kind of access do you need?
What type of storage would work best for it?
What do you currently have that could hold it?
WIll you need to buy something to store it? If so, go back to step one!
Remember, before deciding where to store an item, it is equally important that it is as easy (or easier) to put away as to take out, otherwise it may sit on your counter, floor, or table indefinitely.
When sorting
Do I have multiples of this item?
When was the last time I used it?
Would I miss it?
Does it *really* add value to my life?
Would it make someone else happier?
Is it contributing to my stress by requiring time/effort/attention?
Will I use it in the next 6 months?
When disposing
Can it be repurposed?
Can it be donated or gifted? (if yes, consider a deadline for passing on)
Can it be recycled? Metal, glass, clean wood, paper products and some clean plastics can all be recycled!
Can it be composted?
There, you've done it! Now ask these questions in the store, in your online shopping, when people give you free stuff, when you see an amazing deal...
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