Love It or Leave It? 4 Questions to Ask Yourself While Editing Your Space

(Photo Credit – Studio Choo Florists)

Ready to roll up your sleeves and practice a whole new way to de-clutter?

We’ve done a lot of prep work in this series to make sure your Spring Clean goes deep — and sticks. We’ve discovered your Big Why’s, identified some clutter (both obvious and not-so-obvious), and ditched the “de-cluttering” mindset for the far more empowering and exciting “editing” process.

Today, it’s time to get in there and get practical!

So … how do we actually DO this “Editing” thing?

Many of us get stuck before we even begin. We start sifting through all of our “stuff” and the overwhelm sets in. Every object holds the possibility for paralyzing indecision: how do we know if it’s truly serving us — or holding us back?

How can we make the best decisions about…

what needs to stay,

what needs to shift,

and what needs to go?

To support you through this tricky but oh-so-rewarding phase of your Spring Clean, here’s a handy set of questions. It’s a condensed and simplified version of the exact editing process I use with myself — and with my clients.

My Elegant Editing Process

 When faced with any “it” you’re not sure how to deal with, (a knickknack, a piece of furniture, artwork, clothing — or even an activity, relationship, or belief) ask yourself these 4 questions:

1. Does it function?

Functionality is beautiful, my friend! So … does it work? Do you use it? Is it broken, trash, or an unnecessary duplicate? Does it fit in your  home? If it’s a piece of clothing, does it fit on your body?

2. Do you love it?

Life is just too short to surround yourself with things you don’t love. Ask yourself: when I interact with this, does it feel blah, dead, and boring — or vibrant, beautiful, and alive? Does it make me feel better or worse when I see/touch it? Is it serving me, or blocking me? Remember: only you get to decide what’s beautiful to you!

 3. Does it represent who you are and where you are going?

Maybe you loved playing the flute in your high school jazz band, but now it’s collecting dust in your closet. Perhaps you’ve kept some mementos from “the one that got away,” and you breathe a heavy sigh every time you see that shoebox. Or, let’s say you’ve committed to a new, healthy eating regimen, and that ice cream maker just tempts and mocks you each time you see it.

Everything in your home reflects an image of who you are back to yourself. Click to tweet.

Old, blah, and outdated stuff turns your home into the unhappiest house of mirrors. Over time it can become a scary “fun” house that we can’t seem to make our way out of. It’s so hard to change and grow when we are surrounded by old, blah, and outdated versions of ourselves. Let these things go — make room for who you are and who you’re growing into. Trust me… it’s going to feel amazing!

4. What does your body say?

Our minds might get tangled up, and our emotions can pull us in opposing directions, but our bodies are often the clearest source for a “yes” or “no” in this process. If you’re stuck debating “pitch it or keep it,” hold the object in your hands (or gaze). Clear your mind. Tune into your body. Do you feel more or less alive? There’s your answer!

Emotions will arise as you edit. Sometimes tough ones.

This is perfectly normal … and you will get through it! I promise. If you encounter big emotions, take it from me: you are not alone or crazy — you are, in fact, incredibly brave.

Remember: your space is intimately connected to who you are, who you’ve been, and all the stories that make up your sense of self. It’s absolutely understandable for big emotions to come up as you edit your space. They might be connected to a specific event or phase of your life … a dream you outgrew … an image that’s shifting.

It’s common to feel guilt, grief, fear, scarcity, money issues, and much more as you work through the deeper aspects of Editing.

This is big stuff. Your emotions are a huge part of this process. So pay attention to them. Honor them. Feel your feelings.

A few suggestions for working with your emotions: