While decluttering, have you ever found yourself creating a “maybe” pile? These are the items you just can’t decide whether to keep or give away and so you create a pile for your indecision. The only problem is that this pile keeps growing.
What started out as a simple solution, “I’ll make a decision later,” is beginning to become overwhelming as you realize the number of decisions you’ve delayed.
A few weeks back, I was giving a presentation at a local Council on Aging about how your thoughts get in the way of decluttering. One of the participants was a woman who volunteered at the wildlife sanctuary where I’d taught (before I became a professional organizer). She explained that she was planning on downsizing in a year and had started to declutter.
So far, so good. But she created a Maybe Pile. And she realized that every time she sorted through it, hoping that she’d gained actionable insight into the items, she was only shuffling the items around.
A Missing Component when Decluttering
A lot of people begin the decluttering process with a trash bag in hand. Motivated by their decision to declutter, they often make quick progress in the beginning. Decluttering seems like no big deal. What’s the fuss about decluttering?
But that early decluttering often focuses around “easy decisions.” Trash. Recyclables. Things you’ve meant to get rid of for a while.
Then, decluttering gets difficult.
More and more items feel like Maybe Items. And while decluttering is claiming your time, you aren’t working effectively or efficiently. Like the woman at my presentation, things were getting moved from one Maybe Pile to another.
What’s missing? Clarity.
Why You Want to Be Clear on Your Reasons for Clearing Clutter
Clarity isn’t about saying that you don’t want clutter in your home. First off, how do you define clutter so you could even work toward such a goal?
Have you ever looked at a possession belonging to your partner, friend, or kid and thought that it was obviously clutter and that they should just get rid of that thing? Chances are that if you ask them about that item, they’ll tell you it isn’t clutter (so leave it alone!).
What you consider clutter is a judgement call. Getting clear on what you want to keep … and what you can get rid of … before you begin to declutter, will save you time and indecision.
What to Keep
So, how do you figure out what to keep? One place to start is with function, do you actively use the item (as opposed to thinking that you could or should use it). I’d also include items on display as being used since you’re using them to decorate and individualize your home.
Adjacent to the idea of function is, how many do you need of an item? How many mugs, pairs of sneakers, leggings, highlighter markers, cookbooks, etc. do you need in your life? If you frequently entertain guests, you will need more dishes and glassware than if you live alone and never have more than one visitor at a time.
Another consideration is if you like the item. Maybe the item has served its purpose but is no longer necessary. You’ve been holding onto it because of the place it once had in your life … or maybe just because you’ve owned it for so long.
Does a possession earn the space it takes up in your home. Remember, your possessions should serve you, not the other way around.
If It’s Not a ‘Yes,’ It’s a ‘No’
Chances are that you don’t debate your decisions surrounding a great number of your possessions. You knew what you wanted to keep because you use, display, or cherish the item. You know it has a place in your life, so you keep it.
You also have items that you know you don’t want to keep. They no longer have a place in your life, or they’re damaged beyond use.
So, why do items end up in a Maybe Pile? Because you know it doesn’t belong in your Yes Pile but you feel some sense of obligation to the item.
That obligation may be the money spent on the item; the fact that it was a gift or something you inherited; the hopes you had for using the item; the connection you had to a past hobby or interest; and any other reason that you come up with.
If you didn’t already own that item, would you buy it or request it as a gift? Would holding onto that item improve or support your life?
Most Maybe items are things that you are trying to convince yourself belong in your life.
Help Yourself to Make Decisions
When you delay making a decision, it may be because you aren’t clear on the results you desire. Also, you want to be certain that you are able to make decisions that you’ll be happy with later on.
If you are tired, dehydrated, or hungry, you’ll have a more difficult time trying to make decisions. If you know that you are physically or mentally exhausted, then any Maybe decisions that you make should be easier to clarify the next day.
If you’re really stuck on what to do with something, try making your decision early in the morning before you’ve started making the multitude of little decisions that can deplete you.
The Six-Month Box
One decluttering technique meant to aid with indecision is to box up any Maybe items, close the box, and put a date on it that’s six months into the future. The idea is that if you don’t open the box for half a year, then it’s unlikely you’ll miss the items if you donate that box.
The problem here is that most people forget to donate those boxes when they hit their “expiration” date. And if the items don’t leave your house, you really haven’t decluttered them.
In essence, you’re willing to forget about these items because you know it’s unlikely that you’ll go looking for them.
What to Do with Maybe Items
Decluttering is all about making decisions. When too many items end up in a Maybe Pile, you know that you aren’t moving forward.
Understand Your Purpose: What’s your reason for decluttering? What do you need to function in and enjoy your future?
Identify Your Definite Yeses and Nos: Don’t waste time or mental energy giving extra thought to things that you know what you want to do with. Do you use, display, or cherish an item or not?
Ask Questions: If you didn’t own this item, would you want it in your home and life?
Bolster Your Decision Making: Make certain that you are rested, fed and watered, and not distracted when decluttering.
Know that in the beginning, it can be more difficult to make decisions about what to declutter. However, the more often you choose what to do with items, the more confident you’ll become while decluttering.
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