Love It, Use It, or Lose It – Your Simple Decluttering Guide

Decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming… just ask yourself if you love it or use it. If not, it’s probably time to lose it!

I’m a big fan of decluttering (not just organizing).

In fact, even if I have the space to store something, I probably won’t keep it unless we regularly use it or we just love it.

I’ve been a “declutterer” for as long as I can remember, and in over 30 years of life, I’d need to really think hard to come up with something I regret decluttering (pretty good odds if you ask me!)

Of course, if we have a use for an item or if it’s just something we love, I’ll make the space for it. But if not, it’s gone. Period!

We often make decluttering into a monumentally overwhelming project that’s way too easy to put off until we “have more time” (news flash, you’ll never have more time).

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by big decluttering projects, I challenge you to ask yourself 2 simple questions as you go through your daily and weekly routines — in your home, in your office, in your car, in your purse, in your closet, etc.

The 2 Questions:

1. Is this something I/we LOVE?

2. Is this something I/we USE? (0r plan to use in the near future)

If you can’t answer yes to at least one of those questions, there’s a good chance you can donate, sell, or trash the item with very few consequences.

See how easy that was?

Love it or Lose it Examples:

Obviously, if you’re actively USING something, it’s easy to justify keeping it. However, if you just love something, the decision-making might be a bit more challenging.

Here are a few examples of “love it” or “lose it” scenarios, and how I’d handle them.

The giant pile of coloring books no one uses and you constantly trip over = LOSE IT (or maybe just keep one book)
The backup toaster you’re saving “just in case” but never use = LOSE IT
The magazines you enjoy flipping through for recipe inspiration = LOVE IT (keep a few in a basket in your kitchen, declutter when the basket gets too full)
The bin of baby clothing you’re saving just because it brings you joy = LOVE IT (keep one bin of your favorites and donate the rest)
The newish shoes your child refuses to wear because they are uncomfortable = LOSE IT (you could sell them to recoup a bit of the cost)
The book you already read and could get from the library anytime = LOSE IT
The Christmas dishes you love using in December and have space to store the rest of the year = LOVE IT
The pants that are 2 sizes too small and make you feel bad every time you try them on and they still don’t fit = LOSE IT

Decluttering decision guidelines:

If 2 questions feel a little TOO simplistic for you, here are a few more steps you can go through as you declutter.

1. Be honest.

If you haven’t used something in years and don’t particularly love it, just toss it or donate it and move on.

If you use the item once a year and you have space to store it, then keep it. But don’t try to rationalize ways you might be able to use it in 5 years… and don’t try to justify storing it just because you can squeeze it into the back corner of your son’s closet.

2. Assess the ease of replacement.

If it’s relatively inexpensive and readily available, lose it now, and don’t look back! If it’s a pricey heirloom or irreplaceable antique (that you love), consider ways you might repurpose the items to USE in your everyday life instead of just storing it (here are a bunch of practical ways I’ve repurposed family heirlooms).

3. Evaluate needed space.

Large bulky items have less chance of survival around the Dekker house because I’m not willing to “waste” so much storage space on something we don’t love or use regularly.

However, I’ll sometimes hold onto smaller items if I have a convenient storage space AND if I can honestly see myself using them in the near future.

That said, I won’t automatically hang onto something just because it’s small if we really don’t love it or plan to use it.

4. Get a second opinion.

If you struggle to make executive decisions, ask a friend to help. They won’t be as emotionally attached to your things and can offer more practical suggestions.

5. Don’t try to predict the future.

Yes, you might regret decluttering something, and you might have a twinge of guilt if you sell or donate certain items… but you might not! In the meantime, someone else will be thrilled to find your cast-offs and you’ll enjoy extra space in your home — win-win!

I can’t give you a definite “yes” or “no” on every questionable item in your home, but if you want my opinion I’d say if you don’t LOVE it, and you don’t USE it, you should LOSE it!

Oh, and if you’re the type to make excuses, read this post.