As an organizer I ask a lot of questions when I work with a client. From the initial phone consultation, to the actual organizing session, through the process, I am always posing questions to get clients in the organizing and de-cluttering mindset. When was the last time you used the item? What do you use it for? Do you have other items like it? Do you love it? But my favorite question of all is How Does it Make You Feel? I have found that often when I ask this, people stop and really think. Depending on what the item is – does it make you feel happy? Stressed? Young? Old? Sad? Grateful? Skinny? The question works especially well when it comes to clothing, as we are all programmed to think “How do I look?” rather than “How do I feel?” But asking yourself how you feel really gets to the heart of the matter. Why do you want things in your spaces that make you feel bad? It’s as simple as that. If the item makes you feel great, then it’s clearly a keeper. If it doesn’t, you need to consider another path, one that will send the item into the hands of someone who feels great with it in their lives. You will feel better knowing it has a new home where it is loved.
