Whether you are relocating, downsizing, or simply doing a deep clean – you can tackle clutter as a great way to simplify and organize your living space. If you have lived in the same space for many years, odds are that you have a lot of stuff. The idea of going through everything might be feel overwhelming, but it does not have to be a daunting task! Here are some tips and strategies to tackle and clean up any area:
Make a List. Like with any project, making a list helps to prioritize your tasks and organize your thoughts. Make a list of the places in your home that you would like to declutter and organize the areas from easiest to hardest. Start with the easiest – completing a room will help build momentum and get you going!
Reframe Your Thinking About Your Belongings. If something is difficult to get rid of, ask yourself unique questions like, “If I saw this in the store right now, would I buy it?”. You might realize you like things a little less than you think.
Throw Out That Paper. Think of all the paper you have in your home – in your desk drawers, sitting around in cabinets and in random piles. We accumulate a lot of paper over the years. Pick a day and go through all the papers in your house and sort them into piles. Keep the important documents that you need hard copies of but recycle everything else – it will feel good to get rid of all that clutter!
Try One of These Strategies:
Fill One Garbage Bag at a Time. If the idea of decluttering your whole house makes you panic, start by simply focusing on filling one large garbage bag. Look for the items that are easiest to let go of, like old clothing or damaged items, then sort through your bag and decide what you can donate and what you should throw out. Try this exercise every few days, your progress might surprise you!
The Four-Box Method. To thoroughly tackle clutter, bring four boxes with you to every room: garbage, give away, keep and relocate. Pick up every item in the room and place it in one of the four boxes. Consider every item carefully – do not pass anything up. Some rooms will only take an hour or two, while others can take days. This is a great exercise if you are serious about downsizing.
The 12-12-12 Challenge. Challenge yourself to throw away 12 items, donate 12 items, and relocate 12 items. This is a quick way to clean up 36 items in your home. Challenge others in your household to see who can come up with the items the fastest. Doing this once a week can be a fun, stress-free way to declutter the house.
Benefits of Decluttering. Getting rid of excess belongings will allow you to live a more simplified life. Owning fewer possessions will result in less time spent cleaning or organizing and a tidier, more spacious home. You will also save energy on cleaning, and spend less money, if you focus on having less things!
What are your reasons for wanting to declutter? How will you go about organizing your home? Let me know!
