A question to my friends...

Ok my friends, I have a question for you. I have been really thinking about how much STUFF we have accumulated and I was wondering how you manage your own homes. We recently went through EVERY closet and drawer in our house to make piles for donation, and I was thinking that there had to be a more routine, systematic way to organize than that. Truthfully, it was very overwhelming and I know there has to be a better way to do it. Do you have a system of when you go through closets or when you make trips/piles for donation? Do you have rules for when you keep things and when you get rid of things? If so, I would love it if you would share it with me. Thank you so much! I have some very smart and organized friends out there... if only I could be a little bit more like you♥.