The 'Ifs And Buts' Rule Takes The Stress Out Of Decluttering

Our clutter doesn’t necessarily reflect messy habits. In many cases, it stems from the stories we tell ourselves.

Think about the items you hold on to not because you truly want or need them, but because of hypothetical or future-focused narratives. “I’d use that if I had more time.” Or “I’d want to wear that because it looks great, but it’s not as comfortable as I’d like.”

That mindset is at the heart of what organisers call the “ifs and buts” rule of decluttering. And by recognising this kind of thinking...