“Do I have to throw this away?” It’s the age-old question that every Organizer gets. We always say that decluttering has gotten a bad rep! Especially because the definition of declutter is to remove a build up of stuff from a specified room or area; not to throw your stuff away. The truth is that you know when it is time to declutter- whether it is a full purge or removing a few items. The tell tale sign is when your space has become overwhelming or is no longer able to be used for the intended purpose.

Here are a few easy ways to effectively declutter without having to throw your things away:

1. Remove the visually obvious trash. Grab a trash bag and literally go to each room of your home. Whatever is clearly trash (i.e., wrappers, empty bottles, broken pieces, soiled items, etc) toss it in the bag. And if you have a question about something, place it at the door of that room to revisit it. This instant clearing of space will jumpstart your motivation to keep going!
2. Start with the area easiest to tackle- it could be the junk drawer, kitchen counter, or shoe section of the closet. Create two piles, one for the things you will definitely keep, and one for the things you do not want or use. Find a “home” for all of the things you choose to keep. For example, add a row of hooks at the home’s entry so keys and totes can be placed there upon entry, or place bins in the closet for seasonal swaps to make clothing selection easier. And if you decide that the junk drawer is just for pens, paper, tape, etc., remove everything else and find another place for it where it is functional for you.
3. Pass it on! If you know someone who may benefit from your unwanted item, gift it to them. Turn unwanted or unused items into a charitable donation by selecting a place or organization that is meaningful to you and collects donations. Have a swap party with friends who have also done some decluttering.
4. Repurpose your items. Reuse hat boxes, tins or baskets as storage containers for electronics, supplies, or memorabilia holders. Use old serving platters to display pictures or wine goblets, and drinking glasses as pencil and pen holders. Also, consider dropping off old blankets and towels to an animal shelter or pet store. 

Sometimes the decluttering process will identify things that just need to be thrown away, and that is okay. However, that is not the end goal of the process. Decluttering is meant to rid a space of things so that you can live in your home comfortably and with ease. And clutter blocks that!