Decluttering is reclaiming space by removing the things that waste it. For many people, this is easier said than done. Once they decide to declutter, they want the best results but don’t know where to start. They also want to know the most important part of decluttering and how to do it. This will allow them to declutter more effectively. So, here is the most important part of decluttering and how to do it:
Stop getting things you have no use for.
The most important part of decluttering is to stop getting things you have no use for. But first, we must know what are things you have no use for. You have no use for something if it fits either one or both of the following criteria:
It does not have a function you want or need.
You already have a worthy substitute.
So, if a hockey puck does not have a function that you want or need, you have no use for one. Also, if you have a personal cellphone that works perfectly, you don’t have any use for another.
Here is why it is important:
You declutter at the rate you remove things minus the rate you add things. This means that getting things you have no use for will slow down your decluttering progress. In fact, it can stop your progress altogether. Also, if you stop removing things, it will cause clutter to pile back up.
If you only get things you have a use for, that is a different story. It usually means you only get something if it replaces something else that you discarded. So your place stays decluttered even when you stop removing things.
Here is how to do it
Don’t use shopping as a hobby.
A valid reason for shopping is to buy something you have a use for. In this case, shopping is a means to an end, which is to get something you want or need. If you shop as a hobby, shopping becomes the end in itself. In this case, the merchandise needs no use. So, you will surely buy things for which you have no use.
Avoid this by finding another hobby. It also helps to ditch the catalogs instead of reading them like magazines. Also, you should avoid surfing e-commerce websites.
Have your own style instead of chasing fashions.
The World presents fashions to you, but you present your style to the world. Merchants use fashion trends to get you to buy stuff you have no use for. In fact, fashion is about getting a replacement long before a garment outlasts its usefulness. In some cases, fast fashion shows a new season (trend) every week. Chasing these trends will waste your money and sabotage your decluttering efforts. But they will make the merchants rich.
It makes more sense to have your own style. You can make your style fit your body type and your tastes. You even get to wear your favorite clothes until they are no longer serviceable.
Ask yourself what it gives that you don’t already have.
Merchants are good at seducing consumers with newer gadgets that they don’t need. This is how merchants get and stay rich. They use social pressure to convince you to buy their products or be left behind. They also suggest that buying their products will make you more attractive. But in most cases, you already have something that does the same job well. Either that or you don’t want or need what it does. Before you buy a new gadget, you should ask yourself a straightforward question:
“What does it give you that you don’t already have?”
The first part of this question asks what the new gadget gives you. If you have been living well without that function, you don’t need it. The second part asks whether you already have something that works well. If you have something that works well, you don’t need this new gadget. This question is good for reducing impulse spending on things for which you have no use.
Ignore the Joneses.
It is bad enough when merchants use social pressure to get you to buy things. It is much worse when you do it to yourself. There is a trite but true expression about spending money you don’t have to get stuff you don’t need to impress people you don’t like. Keeping up with the Joneses is a perfect example of this. Also, doing this doesn’t make you look cool or in style. It makes you look insecure.
Remember that you can spend your entire life outdoing others and still not get what you want. Instead of trying to outdo or impress others, you should focus on your needs.
Realize that it’s not a bargain if you don’t have a use for it.
Merchants often use “bargains” or “limited time offers” to get you to buy things you have no use for. These “bargains” pressure you to buy now or miss out. But if you didn’t need something at full price, you won’t suddenly need it when it goes on sale. You should see these high-pressure sale tactics for what they are and avoid wasting your money.
Tell well-meaning people you don’t want material gifts.
As I said before, something you have no use for is not a bargain. In fact, it is not worth getting even if it is free. Getting it will only waste your space and your time. This can be an issue with well-meaning people who want to give you gifts. After all, it is uncomfortable to reject gifts from people we care about. It can come across as rude.
You should tell people beforehand that you don’t want material gifts. Also, you should be more clear as special dates (Christmas, birthday, etc.) get closer. That way, it is not your fault for refusing a gift. Dealing with unwanted gifts is difficult, but this is the best approach.
In summary, the most important part of decluttering is to stop getting things you have no use for. It is because getting things you have no use for will slow down or stop your decluttering progress. Also, it will cause clutter to build back up after you have finished decluttering. Also, here are some methods for doing it:
Don’t use shopping as a hobby.
Have your own style instead of chasing fashions.
Ask yourself what it gives that you don’t already have.
Ignore the Joneses.
Realize that it’s not a bargain if you don’t have a use for it.
Tell well-meaning people you don’t want material gifts.
Using these techniques will make sure the decluttering much more effective and give lasting results.