The Bobby Bones Show talked about decluttering and how to decide what items should stay or go. One rule discussed was the “ifs and buts” rule. If someone finds themselves saying they would like an item if it weren’t itchy, if it fit better, if they lost weight, followed by but they might wear it someday, that item is likely a candidate to be given away.
Amy admitted that she has gotten better at decluttering over time and now feels confident in her ability to decide what to keep. She said she only holds onto items if she is fully committed to using them. If there is even a small amount of doubt, she gets rid of it. She mentioned hearing a psychologist describe giving belongings a “performance review,” similar to how employees are evaluated at work. If an item is not performing well or serving its purpose, it is “fired.” Bobby added that buying items that feel too nice to wear has become a problem for him. He explained that sometimes clothes sit untouched for years because they are being saved for the “right occasion.” When he realizes an item still has tags on it after a long time, he donates it so someone else can use it. He said if an item does not feel like it has had a good life, it does not stay in the house. Amy added that when she is in decluttering mode, items leave the house immediately because clutter can accumulate quickly. She described doing seasonal audits, especially when switching between warm and cold-weather clothes. When she has to move bulky sweaters or seasonal items, she uses that moment to decide whether she will realistically wear something again.
Lunchbox admitted that he struggles with clutter and tends to hold onto things for sentimental reasons. He owns seven Kansas Jayhawks hoodies and does not know why he needs so many, but he cannot let them go. Even though some are faded and worn, he still wears them and values how long he has had them. He added that underwear is the hardest item to replace because fit and material change over time, even within the same brand. He compared it to wine, saying some years are just better than others, which makes it hard to part with pairs that still feel right.
Amy noted that she uses clear plastic bins to organize items so she can see what she has and where it is stored. She said this system helps her stay organized and intentional. For items with sentimental value, she keeps them in separate containers rather than donating them. Bobby mentioned examples of sentimental items in his home, such as an old marathon T-shirt from a race he ran years ago. He said he would never wear it again, but it represents a meaningful moment. Those types of items are placed in storage bins rather than mixed in with everyday clothing as well. Amy added that she also keeps certain memory-based items, like old event or date-night shirts, even though she no longer needs them. Instead of donating them, they go into a designated sentimental box so they are preserved but not contributing to everyday clutter.
