1. Does it make me happy?
This is the first question professional organizers ask their clients, reveals Jamie Novak, author of The Get Organized Answer Book, "It doesn't matter how much your grandmother liked it, or how you think you should feel about it--if it doesn't make you smile or you feel guilty and stressed about it, it shouldn't be in your house!"
Still not sure? Stash the item in a box of similar things, date the box and put it away for a year. Distancing yourself from the item physically helps make your decision down the road a snap, Novak says.
2. Can I photograph it?
Have something big and unwieldy--like an overgrown collection of stuffed animals--that you're hanging onto because of the happy memories associated with it? A photo will take up less room and spark the same happy memories as the thing itself, says Trosko.
Tip: After taking the photographs, store the images on a free website like Picasa.google.com, Flickr or Facebook, where friends and family who share the same memories can enjoy them, too!
3. Can I scan it?
Certificates, child's drawings, old letters...scanning them into a computer doesn't just save you room, it also keeps them safe and secure forever! No scanner? No problem! Any office supply or copy store will do the scanning for you--some libraries even have scanners you can use for free. You can also photograph documents with your digital camera. "It works fine, especially if you use the document setting!" says Marla Cilley, head of household-tip website FlyLady.net.
Tip: Know a tech-savvy teen who has an all-in-one printer? He or she will probably be glad to scan hundreds of papers for the same hourly fee you pay for mowing the lawn or babysitting, says Novak.
4. Do I have two?
"Lots of us have kitchen cabinets overflowing with can openers, ladles and other stuff handed down to us," says Cilley. "So keep the best and donate the rest." And if that's proving to be a challenge (and not just with kitchen items), try this: Tweak the question above by asking yourself "Which one do I like most?" Novak recommends. "Then, instead of keeping every piece of costume jewelry Aunt Bessie left you, you can pick out the silver brooch of hers you always loved to remember her by." The same goes for vacation souvenirs. "Instead of keeping everything, just hang on to one thing from each trip, preferably something you can use, like a mug or salt and pepper shakers. Every time you use them, you'll be able to enjoy those memories again!:
5. Who could I make happy with this?
Chances are, objects that are a burden to you will be a blessing to someone else! For instance, if you've got four needlepoint pillows your grandmother made, your cousins may appreciate being offered one. Or, if you've got one vase you use often and three you don't, give the extras to a resale shop that supports a favorite charity. You'll get the extra space you need, and research proves that donating to a great cause delivers a happiness boost that can last for weeks!
---Barbara Hustedt Cook
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