Throw.

Decluttering is empowering, but getting rid of possessions can be poignant. I'm still taking photos of things before I get rid of them. Here are the ways to get rid of things in order of most ideal to least ideal.

1. If possible, find another home. But don't become the person who relieves their clutter-guilt by giving things to people when they aren't wanted. That's just pushing your problem onto someone else. A well-placed rehoming is a very satisfying thing, like when your origami instruction book goes to the one kid in the city who loves origami right now. (Woohoo!!) I think the best way is: a) think of someone who might actually like it and then b) ask them if they would like it. Don't just leave it in their car or give it to them at church.

2. Place it in the clothing bin of the charity you support the most. Then they can get money while a total stranger rehomes your stuff.

3. Put it in the bin. This can be the easiest thing to do, if it's rubbish, obviously. Just walk outside and lift the lid. But the hardest thing to do if it's sentimental rubbish. Which it nearly always is, for me.

If you do a little declutter every so often it's pretty easy to sort things out and dispose of them thoughtfully. If you leave it for years until you have to move house, then it becomes a whirlwind of traumatic/cathartic binning or a garage sale. That might be great for some, but I'm not a band-aid ripper.