What to Keep, What to Toss: A Practical Guide to Smarter Decluttering

Decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of stuff — it’s about making smart choices about what stays. With the right mindset and method, experts say the process can be a lot less stressful.

Decluttering can feel exhausting. When the mess builds up, it’s tempting to throw everything away and start fresh. But experts say that approach often comes from overwhelm rather than intention — and it can lead to regret.

Instead of rushing the process, being thoughtful about what you keep can make decluttering feel more manageable and meaningful.

Tidying coach Meera Sharma explains that frustration and decision fatigue often drive people to purge too much at once. “Instead of mindlessly decluttering,” she says, “be intentional about carefully choosing what to keep.”

What’s Worth Keeping

Some items deserve a second thought before heading to the donation bin or trash.

Cookbooks, for example, may seem outdated, but many hold family recipes, handwritten notes, and shared memories.

“Favorite recipes come and go like fashion trends, but these old school printed versions should all be around,” says Laurie Hise, CEO of Passionate Penny Pincher.

Sentimental keepsakes also fall into this category. Items like children’s artwork, old sweatshirts, or small objects tied to loved ones can be powerful emotional touchstones. “Emotion, happiness, and reminiscing outweigh saving a little space,” Hise cautions.

Other practical keeps include board games, which offer easy, screen-free entertainment, and basic household tools like scissors, screwdrivers, and tape measures that are often needed unexpectedly.

Sharma also stresses the importance of setting aside financial assets and valuables while decluttering. Cash, jewelry, and important cards can easily be misplaced if you’re not paying close attention.

Experts also recommend holding onto meaningful photographs, key family and legal documents, and travel accessories like chargers or adapters, which can be expensive to replace.

Seasonal clothing and clothes that currently fit are also worth keeping, even if they’re not in use year-round.

Popular Decluttering Methods That Can Help

Having a method can make the process feel less overwhelming. There’s no right or wrong way — just different approaches that suit different people.

One option is the ski slope method, created by Anita Yokota. It involves working through a room from side to side, rather than tackling everything at once.

“If you traverse the slope, skiing from one side to the other, you lessen the angle and make it down the mountain without even noticing,” Yokota explains.

Another well-known approach is Swedish Death Cleaning, introduced by Margareta Magnusson. It focuses on removing non-essential items to make life easier for loved ones later on, though she notes it can be helpful at any age.

The four-box method is a simple starting point, using boxes labeled keep, throw away, donate, and sell. And the KonMari method, made famous by Marie Kondo, encourages people to keep only items that “spark joy” and thank the rest before letting them go.

Decluttering isn’t about getting rid of everything. It’s about keeping what’s useful, meaningful, or hard to replace, and letting go of what no longer fits your life.

Pairing that mindset with a method that works for you can make the process calmer, more intentional, and far less overwhelming