Neuroscience can make decluttering easier

Neuroscience can make decluttering easier(nytimes.com)

21 points by gumby 1 day ago | 7 comments

eviks 3 minutes ago |

> Still, my research told me that holding on to objects like my old notebooks was the wrong approach.

Second most important link missing - how did research determine that?

The first was about the title - a proper test that it can make it easier

dekhn 1 hour ago |

I maintain a nostalgia budget. That is, I allow myself to keep a certain amount or mass or volume of items that are valuable to me (old photos, T-shirts, mementos from my family). This has made it far easier to get rid of things (especially things where I could just go buy another if I truly needed it).

profsummergig 1 hour ago |

> "Ask yourself 'would I buy this today?'"

How would I buy a notebook filled with my thoughts from 20 years ago, today?

a2dam 1 hour ago | |

It's phrased "would you." I would definitely buy a notebook filled with my thoughts from 20 years ago today.

brudgers 5 hours ago |

ask, “Would I buy this today?”

A related approach I use with 'gear' is "can I buy another one if I really want one again?" (because I have a bit of GAS).

Of course I am economically privileged for being able approach the problem that way. Not everyone is.

kazinator 41 minutes ago | |

Screw that! Ask: "if I found this today, would I bring it home? Hell f'n yeah!"

gumby 1 day ago |

Get around paywall: https://archive.li/VGOaH