Stop “Dating” Your Clutter for Its Potential

Years ago, I read a piece of dating advice that stuck with me: don’t date someone for their potential.

The idea is simple — if you’re seeing someone and you notice a few things that don’t quite work, you shouldn’t think, “Oh, they’ll probably change, I’ll stick around!” 

Instead, you should say, “Thank you, but no thank you,” and move on.

Of course,  if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably ignored that advice once or twice. I’ve definitely fallen into the trap of saying, I really like x, y and z about this person, so maybe the rest will sort itself out.

Spoiler alert: it never did.

Now, I’m not a dating expert (please don’t come to me for relationship advice!). But I am a decluttering expert — and I’ve noticed something interesting.

A lot of us treat our belongings the exact same way.

We keep things around because we see what could be.

We hold onto clothes that “might” fit someday, kitchen gadgets we “should” use more often, or home décor that doesn’t quite work but might if we ever repaint the walls.

We’re dating our clutter for its potential.

Take one of my clients, for example. She bought a handful of beautiful scarves with the intention of styling her hair in an effortless, summery way.

But they never delivered. They didn’t look right, didn’t feel comfortable, and she never reached for them. Still, she couldn’t let them go. Why? Because they were beautiful, and she wanted to find a way to make them work. 

And listen — I get it. I’ve done the same thing myself.

But here’s the truth: her time, energy, and space are precious. And those scarves had red flags all over them.

If this were dating advice, I’d say: they don’t deserve a second date.

Flip the Script: Make Your Stuff Earn Its Place

Here’s a simple perspective shift that can change everything:

Instead of trying to find a reason to keep something, ask yourself whether it’s earned the right to stay.

Because your home isn’t a holding space for potential — it’s your sanctuary. And not everything (or everyone!) deserves access to it.

Ask yourself:

• Is this item truly adding value to my life?
• Is it beautiful and useful?
• Does it make my home feel lighter, calmer, more me?

If not, it’s time to break up.

And yes, you can do it kindly. You can thank your stuff for what it taught you — about your style, your habits, your hopes — and then let it go.

Because sometimes, the most loving thing you can do for yourself (and your home) is to set firm yet loving boundaries. 

You Deserve Better

At the end of the day, this isn’t just about decluttering — it’s about self-respect.

Your home reflects how you treat yourself. It’s where your energy goes, where your peace lives, where your real life happens.

So treat it like the sacred space it is. Don’t beg your stuff to fit in, don’t make excuses for it, and don’t hold onto things that don’t show up for you.

Make your belongings earn their place — because just like in dating, the right ones won’t make you question their worth.

Learn More About Decluttering and Simplifying

If you enjoyed this post, I think you’ll love:

6 Things to Declutter When You’ve Had Enough (The We Do Not Care Edition) — We all hit that point where we’ve just had enough: of the stuff, the expectations, the noise. Inspired by the We Do Not Care movement, this post is a joyful little rebellion against the clutter (physical and otherwise). 

5 Things Decluttering Taught Me About Love, Loss + Letting Go — Decluttering is about so much more than tidying your home. Along the way, I’ve learned powerful lessons about love, loss, and the courage it takes to let go.

Your Stuff Tells a Story (And Why That Matters for Decluttering) — Struggling to declutter? Discover the emotional meaning behind your stuff—and how to let go without losing yourself in the process.