How to de-clutter and prevent hoarding and bring myself to through things out?

I wouldn't consider myself OCD for hoarding as I don't have an awful lot of possesions. I have a tidy room and a bit of stuff in my closet and a few boxes in the garage, not a crazy messy house spilling with stuff if thats what one pictures of a hoarder(not too anxious about it too),but I am trying to declutter my life and need a little help here!I have in the past kept things because I think I will need them in the future habit from my mom i think, now I am trying to be ruthless because I want simplicity and space and organisation, should I throw away old school work papers/books too?