Clutter isn’t something that happens overnight, it can sneak up on us when we least expect it. The good news is that it can be tackled once and for all.
Since you’ve found your way to this blog post, you’ve already accomplished the first thing, recognize the clutter and recognize that something needs to be done about it. The easy part of your decluttering journey is the sorting and organizing of your items. While the more challenging parts are understanding how the clutter happened and how to maintain it. Taking time to focus on these two aspects will help you maintain a clean and organized home forever.
Table of Contents
How Does Clutter Happen?
The inability to get rid of items is the root cause of clutter. This is understandable as oftentimes the items hold sentimental value. They are difficult to get rid of because we don’t want to let go of certain memories, although it’s about finding a balance. Whether it’s clothes you hope to fit into or your children’s old toys, donate/sell your least used or least favorite items. Find comfort in knowing that they will be better used elsewhere than in a pile of clutter collecting dust. Work with your family on what to keep and what to give away.
Clutter can also be disguised as items we’ve bought for a purpose and have never quite gotten around to it. This is the time where you have to be honest with yourself and if you see yourself ever ‘getting to it’. If the items are unused or gently used this is a great opportunity to sell or donate them. If you do plan on tackling the project, find a storage system that works best for you and the items.
How Clutter Affects You?
Surrounding yourself with clutter can be comforting, although having an overwhelming surrounding can affect your productivity and increase stress as it competes for your attention. Your mind is focusing on many things surrounding you, rather than your task at hand. Too much clutter can create an uninviting space, making you not want to go home or ignore that room. This can cause a negative connotation for what should be a safe place for you. With too much clutter we are guaranteed to lose items, this means wasting time looking for the item and then spending money on buying the item if we are unable to find it.
Tips For Your Decluttering Journey
Clearing clutter can feel overwhelming, keep these decluttering tips in mind during your journey and you’ll be sure to get your home clean and organized.
- Rent a dumpster to have a central place to toss all your unwanted items and help keep you accountable during this decluttering journey.
- While sorting through your items ask yourself;
- Why do I want to keep this?
- When was the last time I used this?
- Does it have a financial value?
- Take your time, this journey does not have to be all in one day. Take it one room at a time, and then one closet, one drawer, one cabinet at a time.
- Get the family involved, or invite a friend to come over. Having a company around can help you stay motivated.
- Find an organization method that works for you.
You’ve accomplished step one, realizing you have clutter, and step two, reading this blog post. What are your next steps? Are you going to create your decluttering schedule? Will you recruit the right people to help you? Best of luck on this decluttering journey!
