Ooh-ooh. Friends call me the optimiser. But I’m basically a minimalist at heart.

Bottom line. Get rid of it. Sell, recycle, give away, and/or bin based on each thing’s utility and frequency of use.

Ask yourself how many times has this thing been needed in the last:

- decade (never, then get rid)

- 5 years (never or once or twice, then probably get rid)

- 3 years (a few times, then store)

- 1 year (quite regularly, then put away but maintain easy access).

If you have some storage space, organise the remaining stuff into easily accessible boxes or “natural homes” (shelves, drawers, on walls, shed, garage etc).

Things get a little harder with sentimental stuff, like ornaments, art letters etc. But again, either display or assign to long term boxes. It’s amazing how much stuff you don’t need when you can’t see it.

The other approach is to get into the mindset that you’re about to lose everything - what can you not live without. Then rank those things.

Also helps to have moral support as you’re sorting. Can be emotional.