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brudgers
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.

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

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

tmellon2
I agree. Besides, one is really not 'buying' - just holding on, with no immediate 'expense'.
klustregrif
If someone kidnapped it and you where asked to pay 400$ to get it back. Would you pay the ransom?
dekhn
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).
eviks
> 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

willmadden
>Objects can also become cues that activate memories, momentarily bringing them back into focus.

Which is why we don't throw them away!

moezd
Does it spark joy, though?
mnnuu
The best tidying method imo