Why I never ask "Why do you keep this"?
This is a great question if you really want the answer.
Or if the person you're helping has fun with the question.
Usually though, chronic clutter sufferers don't love this question.
"Why do you keep this" is more of a statement than a question
Really, the question is a judgment, if you're being honest.
What's meant is along the lines of...
“You better have a good reason to keep this.”
“This is a stupid thing to keep.”
Which might be heard as “you are stupid,” even though that’s not what you said.
Your comment might be as true as the sky is blue on a clear day.
Still, making a person feel worse about themselves won't get the mess cleaned up.
The Tiny Declutter Question Guide
This guide couldn't be shorter.
That's what makes it powerful.
- 1Ask questions that you genuinely want answers to.
- 2Ask about possessions rather than questions that point to character flaws.
- 3Ask questions to help untangle clutter and direct the keeps to their proper places.
Here are a few examples:
“Do you want to keep this or let go of it?”
For the keepers, follow with…
“What room does it go in?”