It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the piles of stuff we collect. But tackling your clutter doesn’t have to be stressful.
Instead, start small and build up your decluttering muscles as you go along. This will help you tackle larger organizational projects later on.
Start With a Fresh Slate
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all the things you need to do in the New Year, taking time to declutter and organize can help give your energy and focus a boost. It also helps clear your head and create a space to start thinking about the year ahead.
Rather than starting out by decluttering all at once, take small steps and work in sections. Whether you’re cleaning out your kitchen drawers or sorting through piles of clothes in your closet, breaking your decluttering project into manageable steps can make the process less daunting.
You may want to make a list of things you need to get rid of or donate and set up a plan for when and how you’ll handle each item, such as if it has a sentimental value, is a ‘just in case’, or is a’maybe’ that could be repurposed. If you find it difficult to decide which items to keep and which to put away, consider using outside perspective from family members or friends who can help you be more dispassionate.
Once you’ve finished purging, it’s a good idea to take a few photos of your space and assess what you like and don’t like about it. This will help you identify areas that need improvement and make it easier to choose new habits that will keep your home clutter-free.
Another way to help you decide which items should stay and which to go is to reorganize them. Try rearranging each item into its proper storage area or place it back on hangers. For example, if you’ve always hung your clothing on hangers with the tops of the hangers hooking over the bar, flip those hangers so they’re hooked from behind instead.
This will help you determine which pieces of clothing you haven’t worn in a while, making it easier to get rid of them. It’s also a great way to help you remember which pieces of clothing are still in good condition, so that you don’t need to buy new ones.
Getting your house in order is an important part of being an organized person. It’s not enough to just clean out your closets and drawers, you need to develop habits and routines that will keep your home clutter-free throughout the rest of your life.
Take Everything Out
It’s a good idea to keep a put away bin for items that you aren’t going to use again. This is a great way to help you avoid having clutter in the first place.
During the decluttering process, it’s important to sort through your belongings to determine what goes where. This will help you stay on track and maintain your progress after the cleaning is done.
Before you start tackling your closet, take the time to evaluate each item and decide whether it’s worth keeping or not. You’ll be surprised at how many things you have that you don’t need or use anymore.
A little bit of research can go a long way, so make sure to read up on your local recycling rules and what items you can safely dispose of in the trash. Once you’ve sorted through your items, consider donating or selling any unwanted stuff to get the ball rolling on your decluttering journey!
You may be tempted to invest in organizational products like bins and dividers to keep your belongings tidy, but it’s best to save those for after you’ve gone through the exercise of taking everything out. This will not only keep you from wasting your hard earned money, but it will also keep your home looking and feeling more organized in the long run!
If you’re really serious about your new found clutter-free lifestyle, try to develop systems and routines that will help you stick with it. This can be as simple as having a designated trash or recycle bin or as complicated as creating an organization system for your clothing that will help you avoid having clutter in the first place!
The best way to tackle your clutter is to use the best decluttering strategies for you. This will help you feel a sense of accomplishment, and will also ensure that your home stays clutter free as you make your way through the process!
Give It a Good Cleaning
Cleaning and decluttering is often one of the last tasks that people tend to tackle, but it can make a big difference in your physical and mental health. Whether you’re moving, downsizing or just feel like your home has become a mess, tackling clutter can help you feel more in control of your surroundings and reduce stress.
If you’re not used to cleaning your space, a good way to get started is by making a plan and getting everything you need for the job in one place. This can be in the form of a caddy, bucket or tote so that you have easy access to the tools you need.
As you go room to room and start picking up items that need a home, keep a list handy so that you can easily identify which ones need to be tossed or donated. This will help you stay organized and make sure that you don’t leave any items out of your decluttering process.
Once you’ve completed your decluttering session, it’s a great idea to set up a put-away bin for the items you’re keeping and return them to their proper storage location in the room. This will prevent things from ending up strewn across your floors and tables.
It’s also a good idea to have a designated place for the items that you don’t want anymore, such as a donation bin or a garage sale collection. This will ensure that you don’t end up with a bunch of items that you don’t need to keep around the house, which can add up quickly.
Lastly, consider putting some time in each evening to give your home a bit of a tidy up. This can be as simple as sweeping the floors and making sure that all the toys are tucked away for the next day, but it will make a huge difference in how your home looks.
While decluttering can seem daunting, it’s not as difficult as you might think. In fact, once you get started, it’s likely that you’ll enjoy the feeling of having a clean home.
Put It Away
Putting it away is a big deal when it comes to decluttering & organization. You need to put your stuff in a place where it can be easily found and used again. This includes organizing your closet, drawers and other areas of your home with storage bins and hooks. Investing in these items will help you keep clutter at bay, and it can also improve your quality of life when you have more free time to do the things that matter most to you.
It’s not uncommon for things to get lost in the shuffle, so be sure to set up a system that will help you keep clutter at bay. For instance, if you always find yourself fumbling with your keys, wallet and other essentials when you get home, buy hooks to hang them on or an under-bench organizer for your keychains and credit cards.
The best way to make this happen is to sort your belongings into categories, such as Keep, Donate and Trash. This will allow you to quickly and efficiently go through each category and eliminate any items that are just taking up space. The best part is that it will also save you a lot of time and energy in the future. If you’re unsure which item to keep, try out the “out of sight, out of mind” technique: put it in a container labeled “maybe” and hide it away for a few months to see if it really is something you want to keep.