What's Your Decluttering Type?

Image Source

Quiz Questions

1.
What holds you back the most when it comes to decluttering sentimental items?
- A.
  I am emotionally attached to the memories.
- B.
  I worry I might need them in the future.
- C.
  I feel like I'm betraying who I used to be.
- D.
  It bothers me when they're valuable (like an heirloom).
- E.
  I want them to go to someone else that will appreciate them.
- F.
  I don't struggle much with sentimental attachment.
2.
What makes you most nervous about decluttering?
- A.
  Losing the memories attached to my items.
- B.
  Needing something I threw away.
- C.
  Admitting I won't pursue certain interests.
- D.
  Feeling like I'm wasting money.
- E.
  Contributing to environmental waste.
- F.
  Nothing, I feel confident about decluttering.
3.
What makes you most frustrated about your current state of clutter?
- A.
  I can't find things when I need them.
- B.
  I feel overwhelmed by the memories attached to my items.
- C.
  I still want to use the things I bought to try, but don't have time.
- D.
  I don't want to face all the buyer's remorse.
- E.
  I can't figure out the best place to donate or what to do with it all.
- F.
  I wish I had more left to declutter because it's fun!
4.
What are you most excited about when it comes to decluttering?
- A.
  Creating a calmer, more organized space.
- B.
  Letting go of items that make me feel stuck in the past.
- C.
  Making room for new hobbies and interests.
- D.
  Changing my overconsumption and overspending.
- E.
  Being generous with my stuff so other people can use it.
- F.
  The satisfaction of admiring all my hard work!
5.
What annoys you the most when you think about minimalism?
- A.
  That people are expected to be like robots without emotion regarding their stuff.
- B.
  That people get rid of stuff they'll probably have to buy again.
- C.
  That you can't pursue all your different interests.
- D.
  That it feels impractical unless you're rich, because all this stuff costed money, and now you're just getting rid of it!
- E.
  That people care more about an empty house than about filling landfills.
- F.
  Nothing—I feel good about the idea of owning less.

Quiz Outcomes

1.
The Sentimentalist
Image Source
You find meaning in your possessions, and struggle to let things go for fear of losing the memories or emotional value attached to them. YOUR STRENGTH: Keeping some sentimental items is healthy. It's a beautiful thing to love what we own. You see beauty in the world and hold gratitude for the people and places you love.YOUR REFRAME: Our memories still exist without physical representation. Keeping some sentimental items is a wonderful way to personalize your home, but keeping too many can end up feeling sad—like the future will never be as wonderful as the past. Download your customized playlist with 10 episodes of the Paring Down podcast to support you on your decluttering journey as a Sentimentalist! And don't forget to grab a copy of my book to help you declutter: Don't Save the Good Stuff.
2.
The What-If Worrier
Image Source
You have a hard time getting rid of your belongings because you get stuck wondering, "What if I end up needing this?" YOUR STRENGTH: Preparedness is important to you, and it's commendable that you want to be wise with your money by not making repeat purchases in your future.YOUR REFRAME: By holding on to so much because you think you might use it someday, you usually end up making repeat purchases because it's impossible to remember what you have or where you've placed it. Ironically, the less you own, the less you'll need to purchase in the future because it's easy to find exactly what you need. Download your customized playlist with 10 episodes of the Paring Down podcast to support you on your decluttering journey as a What-If Worrier! And don't forget to grab a copy of my book to help you declutter: Don't Save the Good Stuff.
3.
The Dreamer
Image Source
You easily get caught up in new hobbies and interests, buying supplies to kickstart an exciting new venture. Letting go of them is hard, because it's admitting defeat of a dream. YOUR STRENGTH: You are a fun, engaged person who lives life with gusto! You believe in yourself and in living intentionally.YOUR REFRAME: It's okay to admit that your interests or availability has changed, and it's not worth cluttering up your space with items that simply remind you of all that you "meant to do." This can feel like a constant reminder of failure, so let yourself off the hook.. Download your customized playlist with 10 episodes of the Paring Down podcast to support you on your decluttering journey as a Dreamer! And don't forget to grab a copy of my book to help you declutter: Don't Save the Good Stuff.
4.
The Guilty Spender
Image Source
You have a hard time letting go of your belongings because all you see are wasted dollar signs. You want to get your money's worth of your belongings—even the ones you've never touched. YOUR STRENGTH: You are a responsible human! You respect that everything you own is reflection of hard work to earn money, and that means that you take care of what you own. Love that.YOUR REFRAME: A little bit of guilt is okay as you declutter. It reminds you to make different choices moving forward. But holding onto your guilt and the items won't get your money back. The best way to save money is by decluttering so that you come face-to-face with your belongings in a way that will teach you to slow down your shopping in the future.Download your customized playlist with 10 episodes of the Paring Down podcast to support you on your decluttering journey as a Guilty Spender! And don't forget to grab a copy of my book to help you declutter: Don't Save the Good Stuff.
5.
The Environmentalist
Image Source
You have a hard time decluttering your belongings because you want to part with them in the most ethical fashion possible. You don't want to fill landfills! YOUR STRENGTH: You have a lot of empathy for other creatures and future generations. You are aware of your personal responsibility in taking care of the environment, which is extremely commendable.YOUR REFRAME: A hard truth is that whether items are in our homes or in a landfill, they're still inhabiting this earth. For items that aren't biodegradable, they'll be here when we die, whether they're in a drawer in our house or in a pile at the dump. The goal is that we stop creation of environmentally damaging items at the source—by halting the demand for new production. Even the most questionable donation center gives your items a better chance of being upcycled than sitting in your house. Download your customized playlist with 10 episodes of the Paring Down podcast to support you on your decluttering journey as an Environmentalist! And don't forget to grab a copy of my book to help you declutter: Don't Save the Good Stuff.
6.
The Human Garbage Disposal
Image Source
Congrats! You are a decluttering wizard who understands the importance of being intentional about what you own. You don't buy what you don't need, and you only hold onto what you use and love.YOUR STRENGTH: You understand that more isn't better, and take care not to let excess bog down your life.YOUR REFRAME: Clutter can be a normal part of humanity, so the goal is to be mindful about what you own without letting perfection stress you out. Download your customized playlist with 10 episodes of the Paring Down podcast to support you on your decluttering journey as a Human Garbage Disposal.Download your customized playlist with 10 episodes of the Paring Down podcast to support you on your decluttering journey as a Human Garbage Disposal! And don't forget to grab a copy of my book to help you declutter: Don't Save the Good Stuff.

What's Your Decluttering Type?

Discover your decluttering personality so you can tackle your mental roadblocks, lean into your strengths, and make real progress toward a simplified home and life.

Quiz Questions

Quiz Outcomes