What to decide about keys, personal items, and space?

If you want to declutter your life while navigating a situationship, you have to draw clear boundaries. Decide what you are okay with and what complicates things unnecessarily. Be honest with yourself about what you need to feel comfortable and secure.

In situationships, one of the quickest ways to add confusion is by blurring the lines between your personal life and someone else's too soon. The classic moments — leaving keys at their place, making space in your closet, or letting your things pile up at their apartment — all seem small, but each is a micro-decision that can impact your clarity. The less clear you are about your boundaries, the more likely you are to feel lost, unsettled, and resentful later.

Start with keys. Giving someone access to your private space is a big step. Ask yourself, what does handing over a key mean to you? Is it a symbol of trust, commitment, or simply convenience? Are you ready for the implications that come with it? If you’re still in a situationship or if you feel unsure, press pause. There’s no rush. You can always revisit the conversation if and when your relationship becomes more defined.

Next, audit your personal items. If your things are regularly accumulating at your partner's home or vice versa, have an honest conversation about what feels right for both of you. Is it intentional or is it just happening because you’re together a lot? Are your items taking up space that you want to keep to yourself? If you need more breathing room or privacy, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Removing stray personal items and being deliberate about what stays and what goes can help you feel lighter and more in control.

Finally, reclaim your space, both physically and emotionally. When you’re in a situationship, it's easy to let another person’s habits, things, or even their emotional clutter spill over into your daily life. Decluttering here means deciding what you let in and what you keep out. This might mean saying no to sharing a drawer or not keeping their hoodie “just in case.” It might mean being clear that your home is, first and foremost, your own sanctuary.

Remember, decluttering isn’t only about physical stuff. It’s also about emotional boundaries. Don’t be afraid to communicate your needs and stand by them — even if it feels awkward or brings up difficult conversations. The goal is to create a space, both literal and figurative, in which you feel safe, comfortable, and authentic to yourself.

Navigating these small decisions in the thick of a situationship can be surprisingly tough. Sometimes, all you need is an outside perspective or practical advice tailored just for you. This is exactly where notBf comes in: notBf is an AI companion built to help young women figure out their modern dating dilemmas, like how to handle boundaries or decluttering emotional and physical baggage in a situationship. It isn’t just another dating tool — it’s designed to be truly hyper-personalized, giving you the clarity you need to own your space and your choices.