HOW TO DECLUTTER YOUR HOME THE EASY WAY
There are many benefits to living a life with less clutter. For example, there is less to clean and it’s easier to find what you’re looking for. Life seems less stressful when you have less clutter around you. For some people, however, the mere thought of going through their things and getting rid of them is overwhelming.
If you fall into this category, but you would love to free up some space and get more organized in your life, the following tips will make decluttering your home less of a chore.
1. TAKE IT SLOW
Decluttering your home doesn’t have to be a race. You don’t have to finish it all in one day. If decluttering is a new concept for you, begin by spending just five minutes a day going through stuff and marking things for donation.
After the five minutes, pick one item and get rid of it. If you do this every day, you will get rid of 365 items in the first year.
2. DONATE YOUR UNUSED CLOTHING
Everyone has clothes in their closet they never wear at all. To designate these items for donation, turn all the hangers backward on the bar. Every time you wear a piece of clothing, turn its hanger back the right way. After a few months, anything that’s not turned around can be donated to Goodwill.
Of course, there are bound to be clothing pieces that only get worn for special occasions, so use your judgment when deciding what should go.
3. MAKE A LIST
Some people work better when they have a clear plan in mind. If this is you, create a list of rooms or spaces you’d like to declutter. Order your list according to which is most important and begin there. Make sure to mark completed items off your list so you can see the progress you’ve made and have the incentive to keep going.
4. VIEW YOUR HOME AS OTHERS SEE IT
As occupants in a home, we often become blind to certain aspects of that home. We become desensitized to things like clutter and smell. To give you a good idea of how cluttered your home is, take a step back and look at it as if you are a guest walking into it for the first time. This practice can be quite the eye-opener in many ways.
5. TAKE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOTS
Social media can be a very powerful tool, especially if you are the type that likes validation for your hard work. Take before and after photos of the decluttering you do and post them on Facebook so others can cheer you on. Once you see your progress and you receive such praise, you’ll be motivated to continue decluttering your home.
6. ENLIST THE HELP OF A FRIEND
Call on one of your closest friends or family members to help you decide what stays and what should go. Have your friend designate several items for donation. If you agree, then the items go. If you don’t agree and have a good reason for wanting to keep the item, your friend has to accept your reasoning, or the item needs to go.
Decluttering for some is just part of everyday life. For others, however, it’s a chore they’d rather not do. If you’re in the latter category, the tips outlined above can make decluttering your home less of a chore.