But Do You LOVE It???

By Shannon Smith

     If you had to leave your home and only take one small U-Haul truck with all your belongings, what things would make it onto the truck? If you can answer this question, you have a perfect starting point for decluttering.  Let’s explore this thought.

      First, let’s do a fun little trip around your home. Take a notepad and write which room you are in, then make three columns across the top- “definitely column,” a “maybe” column, and a “no” column.  Then, walk through each room of your home.   As you walk through each and every room, write what you see into the column as you receive an initial impulse.  Try not to think too much about each object.  Just write. If you hesitate or cannot make a “definitely” or “no” decision immediately, just put it in the maybe column.

     After you have made it through each room of the home, pour yourself a cup of something nice to sip, lay the pages out on the table, and take a look at all the “yes” or “definitely” items.  Is there a pattern surfacing?  What about those items made it to the list?  Do they harmonize if placed together? Do they speak to you in some way?  Do they share any characteristics? Now, look at the list again.  Did you add items due to any of the following: 1) I should take it because it was a gift from__________. 2) I should take it because I paid a lot for it. 3) I should take it because I inherited it from _______________. 3) I should take it because ____________________________________.  If you listed items on the “definitely yes” column due to a should, but the item doesn’t truly speak to you or authentically represent you, then move it to the no or maybe column. 

     Now, look over the “definitely, yes” column again.  Is there any hesitation on that list?  If not, you are good to go!  The decisions now come from the “no” and “maybe” columns.  Let’s tackle the “no” column first.  Don Shula once said, and I am paraphrasing, “It is the start that stops people the most.”  He is absolutely correct!  It took me a long time to get the courage up to start writing a blog and to add videos and to get used to putting my writing out there for the public, but I did it, and each and every post gets a little easier because I am happy with what I am doing.  It feels authentic to me, so I keep sharing what I know.  So, let’s process the “no” first.  Go down the list.  Beside each item, make a plan to start parting with these items.  Place a small “d” beside each item you intend to donate, a small “s” for each item you intend to sell, and a small “t” for each item needing to be trashed. Instantly, you now have a plan to move ahead with decluttering! Congratulations! 

     Let’s move to the next column, because this is the tricky one.  When I take on a client for coaching in decluttering and decision making, we dig deep into this one, but for the sake of this short blog, I want to quote you this from April Grow of Stunning Style. “You don’t have to hate something to get rid of it, but you have to love it to keep it.”  April’s quote has gone a long way with me making decisions for myself. If something received a maybe, then revisit it.  Do you love it?  If not, then consider shifting it to the “no” column.   If you are still on the fence whether you love it, then perhaps box it up and remove it from the space. Put the date on the box and revisit it in 6 months.  Then, go through this process again and see where your “maybe” objects land.  Some will shift into the “yes” column, but for many, they will easily become “no,” and you can move on from them. 

     This is just one method to get started, and if you still need someone to walk through the process with you, reach out! Email me at shannon@pursuingsimpleliving.com