The new year is a great time to declutter. Have a fresh start, and get rid of all that junk that is slowly threatening to take over your home.
But easier said than done.
Sometimes the mere thought of decluttering can be quite overwhelming.
Have you ever felt that way? I know I have.
There’s a sense of it being such an enormous job that you don’t quite know where to begin.
So you don’t.
And everywhere you turn you are accosted by things. It can leave you feeling guilty, disorganised and drained – your energy literally sapped by all that clutter.
Yes, you know that once your home is organised there will be a great feeling of satisfaction. That there will be more space, order, and you’ll know where to find everything.
It’s just making that first start.
So here are seven easy steps to break down the task into small chunks. You’ll find it less daunting, and far more manageable.
1) Prepare
Gather together a few bin bags or boxes, a timer and a selection of upbeat music to get you moving.
2) Select the space
Begin with the easiest room or space in your home. Then choose one little area, a shelf or drawer.
3) Start
Set your timer for twenty minutes. If that still seems too hard go for ten or even five minutes. Then, turn up the music!
4) Divide
Sort everything into three separate piles:
a) Don’t need or want
b) Keep
c) Undecided
5) Subdivide
Go through the first pile and subdivide it into four separate bin bags or boxes.
a) Stuff to throw out
b) Anything you can recycle
c) Things that can be given away
d) Items that you might be able to sell
6) Undecided Items
Next tackle the “undecided” pile. These are the things you don’t know what to do with. Perhaps you’re not sure whether you’ll need them again in the future? Maybe they have sentimental value, or they are unwanted gifts that you feel guilty to throw out?
Gather them up into a bag or box. Write today’s date on the outside. Then store it somewhere out of the way like the loft or garage. Make a note in your diary to go through it again in six months.
If you haven’t needed or missed any of the items in that time , do you still need to keep them?
7) Organise
Finally organise everything have decided to keep. But think about the following:
Is this the best place for them, or would it be better to store them somewhere else? Should they be kept on display, or stored out of sight?
If you repeat these simple decluttering tips each day – for just a few minutes – you’ll find that it gets easier and easier. And you’ll be rewarded with a calm, airy and organised home – and more space.
PS: Do you want to know the secret to having a clear desk?
Do you have any good decluttering tips? Please tell me in the comments below.
I’ve been using the timer and music technique for a while now. It’s brilliant, and often after 20 mins you’ve seen enough reward of your hard work that you want to continue for longer!
And don’t you find that the music puts you in such a great mood too? 🙂
The 6 month rule in Undecided Items is such a good one!
I think we’ve all got those items that almost seem have some kind of power over us. We don’t really want them But yet, just can’t throw them out. Sometimes, putting them out of sight for a while breaks those emotions, and then makes it easier to get rid of them.
Love your list’s. Unfortunately, so often we stop at #3….
Get so overwhelmed and then NOTHING….
I try to break up everything into small steps… That’s what works for me.
Great post – and thanks, made me think.