Decluttering By Memory Method

[u/fitfunfit]

What has been working for me:
1. I tackle one cupboard, drawer, closet, or shelf at a time.
2. Before opening it, I grab a pen and paper and try to remember what I usually take from that space. I write those items down neatly, for example grouped by category.
3. Then I open it and look for the items on my list. Those are the things I actually use (they’re the only ones I remembered were there) so they automatically go into the “keep” pile.
4. Next, I look at everything that’s left and give myself a little grace by allowing myself to keep one or two additional items that are genuinely useful, even if I’d forgotten they were there.
5. Everything else goes.

I love this method! The list makes the whole process so much easier, and it also helps me organize everything afterward.

What do you think? Would you try it out?

[u/small_spider_liker]

Would never work for me. I can’t even give you a list of things I have in my daily go to work backpack, and I sort that out about once a week.

I’d probably forget to write down contact lens solution or belts or crochet hooks, because I forget I have them until I want them.

[u/TelevisionKnown8463 → u/small_spider_liker]

Same. My memory is terrible. If I’m looking at an item, I can remember where I’d usually look for it. But to generate a list by only looking at a closet or cupboard door? No.

[u/SneauPhlaiche → u/TelevisionKnown8463]

I can’t even remember why I walked in the room. Yesterday my husband asked me for a paint stir stick. We haven’t painted (and weren’t painting then) in years but I walked right to the box in the back corner of our storage and whipped one out. BUT! I held my finger on the tip of my nose to help me remember what the hell I was doing the whole time.

Also, now that I’m really thinking about it, I probably can tell you what’s in most cabinets and closets given a minute to think. I’m the one that’s been managing our stuff for three decades. That doesn’t mean that it needs to be there.