TAKE a peek in your closet or basement and you’ll likely come across plenty of items that you haven’t used for years. The T-shirt from your high school musical, a dress you wore to a wedding five years ago (and will probably never fit into again), an old pair of roller blades you never use. The thing is, plenty of us have trouble tossing things — and there are two main reasons why.

The biggest one is our need for safety, security and stability, says Dr. Frank Niles, social scientist and life and business strategist. This could very well explain why you can’t part with the panini maker you bought 11 years ago, even though it’s barely seen the light of day.

“You may think, ‘I’ve used this tool one time and I may never use it again — but what if I need it in the future? I want to be able to have that thing at that time to address that need’,” says Niles.

Secondly, our desire to hold onto piles and piles of old mementos can often be blamed on nostalgia. That’s because reminiscing about the past makes us feel good. “It can lead to increased feelings of social connectedness,” says Niles. “If I have a photo of parents who have passed away, looking at it can elicit positive emotions.”

And it turns out we’re actually hardwired to think that the past was better than the present. “When times get tough, we’ll look at pictures from that trip to Europe or senior year of high school and only remember the good pieces,” says Niles. “We tend to forget the bad stuff.”

If you’re ready to get your house in order, start by making a mindset shift. “Reorient yourself to the present,” says Niles. “Tell yourself, ‘I don’t know what will happen in the future, but I know from past experience that this is what has helped me make it through my life’.”

With that in mind, go item by item to determine if you should keep or toss something. “The challenge for us is to prioritize what are the things we really need to hold onto and what are some of the things that if we didn’t have them, the world wouldn’t fall apart,” says Niles. “Really reflect and think about whether or not it’s adding any value to your life.”

Jessie Freschl, stylist, personal shopper and closet consultant in New York City, is a big fan of Marie Kondo’s “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.” Kondo’s method is based on a simple premise: If something doesn’t make you happy, or “spark joy,” you should get rid of it. That’s why Freschl recommends touching objects and seeing what emotions they evoke to help you figure out if they’re worth saving. For example, if you pick up a dress and remember how itchy the material was and how uncomfortable it made you feel to wear it, then it’s time to say goodbye. If something has sentimental value to you (but you know you’re not going to use it), snap a pic of it, then toss it, says Niles.

To avoid becoming overwhelmed while you’re de-cluttering, work in three to five hour increments, says Freschl. “If you’re spending more than that, you’re going to drain yourself,” she says. Niles suggests focusing on one room or one area at a time.

De-cluttering isn’t a one-time activity, though. “People often don’t take time to maintain it, and then it becomes this vicious cycle of not cleaning out your closet and de-cluttering,” says Freschl. “You’re left feeling so overwhelmed with nowhere to go — it’s easier to keep shoving things in your closet than just dealing with it.”

To stay on the right track, think seasonally. Clean out your closet two to three times a year (from summer into fall/winter, spring to summer and somewhere in between), says Freschl. Then, once you’ve whittled down your stash, don’t just throw away your no-longer-wanted goods — like that years-old winter coat — in the trash. “One of the most satisfying things we can do is give back,” says Niles. “What was previously clutter to you can become a contribution to others.”

And know that what you’re doing is quite the feat. “Living a clutter-free life is an intentional practice,” says Niles. “Particularly in the modern world, we’re going against the trend to live in a minimalist way — but when we do, it’s amazing how free and unencumbered we become.”

(SD-Agencies)