No matter how much shelving you have or how many storage bins you use, it’s hard to truly get organized if you simply have too much stuff. If you have boxes or storage bins full of random things, it can take forever to find things when you need them. And even if you try to organize a shelf that has too much stuff on it, keeping that shelf organized can be an uphill battle if it’s a shelf full of things that get used all the time. Finding ways to deal with clutter is one of the most common challenges people have in organizing their homes. Of course, the most effective way to deal with clutter is to get rid of as much of it as possible. But sometimes, trying to decide what should stay and what should go can be a challenge in and of itself. If you’re having a hard time trying to figure out what should stay and what should go, here are some tips to help you figure it out: Divide and Conquer Whether you’re trying to free up some space on your shelves or clear out your wardrobe, a good place to start is by dividing your things into three different categories: things you definitely want/need to keep, things that can definitely be thrown out/sold/given away, and things you’re undecided about. Ideally, this will make your job a lot easier by helping you focus on deciding on where the things in your “undecided” pile should go. Narrow it Down Now that you’re trying to whittle your “undecided” pile down (or trying to make your “definitely keep” pile a little bit smaller), a good question to ask yourself is, “When was the last time I used/wore/needed this?” If it’s been over a year and you haven’t worn it, needed it, or even thought to use it, it’s probably safe to get rid of it unless it has some special sentimental meaning to you. If you find something and think, “I forgot I even had this!” it’s safe to get rid of since it’s clearly not something you really need. You could also ask yourself if something still works or serves a purpose for you. If something has been broken for a while, but you never got around to fixing it, either make a point to fix it soon or get rid of it. Another good question to ask yourself is, “Do I like it?” If you really like something, is there something else you’d be willing to get rid of to make room for it? Still Not Sure? Put it Away for a While If there are still a few things from your “undecided” pile you’re still not sure what to do with, you can try putting it away for a while. Just put it in a box and put the box in some out of the way place for a set amount of time like 3-6 months. If you have no reason to use anything from that box during that time, it’s probably safe to get rid of it. You can even mark the date on the calendar so you’ll remember to get rid of it in case you completely forget about it. Get a Friend’s Help Sometimes people can get very emotionally attached to their things. If you have a hard time of letting things go, getting help from a friend, who isn’t going to share your emotional attachment to your things, could provide you some helpful perspective.