Are you ready for a new challenge? Let’s start to declutter your house. Don’t feel overwhelmed, as you don’t have to do your entire house in one time. Just take small steps. One by one. Bit by bit. The most important step is to start. That’s where it all begins.
Declutter your house
Decluttering, it is something most of us don’t like to do. In our mind, it is a huge thing. When we think about it, we already get stressed. Where to start? What to do? Where to keep the things? But don’t worry. Change your mindset and see it as a positive task. As I explained in another blog, decluttering is good for your health. Eventually, you are happy that you started.
If you first want to take a deep dive in decluttering, you can start to read books about this subject. My favorite books are from the professional organizer Marie Kondo. You can check the books ‘The life-changing magic of tidying up’ and ‘Spark joy’. If you like manga you can check the book ‘The life-changing manga of tidying up’. Marie Kondo is using the KonMari Method to change lives.
Take small steps
The way to stop the overwhelming feelings, is to take manageable steps. So make it easy for yourself and just start. I will share some tips:
- Start small. Pick a small space, like the hall of your house, the toilet or just a shelf or a drawer. You can choose. If you pick a small space, it motivates you to do more, as it doesn’t take that much time to declutter it.
- Set a timer. You don’t have to spend your whole Sunday on decluttering. Set a timer for 15 or 30 minutes for example. Put some nice music on and just focus for that time. Find the joy.
- Ask. When you are decluttering, ask yourself some questions. Does this item spark joy? Do I use this? Do I like it? Do I need this? Be honest with yourself and decide.
- Declutter by category. Instead of decluttering per room, you can also choose a category. So you can get all your books and select which ones you want to get rid of and which ones you want to keep. Or make a pile of all your bags and declutter.
- Create a system. You can use different boxes with things to keep, things to donate or sell, things for trash or recycle or things to relocate (if things need to be moved to another room).
- Buy storage boxes. It is an easy solution to hide your stuff in a cupboard. As nobody will see it, only when you open the cupboard. But if this is a mess, it is also not contributing to your inner peace and your health. An easy solution for this is the use of storage boxes. Put stuff from the same category in one box and write it down on a label.
- Let go. The most difficult things to declutter are sentimental items. But you can’t keep everything, so be selective. What are the things that are really important to you? Keep them and get rid of the other things.
- Have fun. If you regularly declutter, you can slowly see results. Just put on your favorite music and make it a nice task, so you will do it more often.
Ongoing process
Decluttering is part of organising your home. If everything has it’s own place, it is easier to find the things you need. When your house is organised, it gives you peace.
Decluttering is an ongoing process. It is part of your life. So make the best of it and find the joy in decluttering. As eventually, when you keep doing small parts, you will benefit from it.
Jane Regina Sauer 