Many people put off decluttering their homes, no matter how badly they need it because it is a daunting task at the best of times.
To prevent decluttering from giving you anxiety and that “neck itch” most of us know all too well – break it down into zones and stages. Focus on what you want to achieve and set a healthy timeline to complete the task.
There are numerous benefits to living in a tidy home, and ironically one of them is how much it reduces stress and anxiety.
So, before your anxious hand gravitates towards that little ‘x’ in the corner of your screen, take a deep breath and have a little faith in the process. This concise and easy-to-follow article will help you live in a clutter-free home in no time!
Start Small
Your home being clean and clutter-free is not going to win any awards, especially not ones regarding the time it’s taken to complete the job!
Do not try to solve all your clutter problems at once – start small and work from there. Focus on one room at a time and prioritize the areas that need the most help.
Use a decluttering checklist to help keep the project on track. Once you start the decluttering process, it is easy to get distracted by other rooms that need help.
Donate
One of the most critical steps in the decluttering process is letting go.
This step is as much of a psychological one as a physical one. Be ruthless here – as difficult as it might be to let go, you will feel much better once you have.
The hardest step is often the more important.
Do not just trash everything because it is the easiest option. Store unwanted and unused good-condition items in a box and donate them to a charitable organization once you are finished.
Self-Storage
Once you have gone through all the items in each room, if you still have clutter, consider using a company like Centron Self Storage.
Sometimes, we find items that we do not want to throw away, recycle, or donate, but we do not have the space to keep them either.
That is one of the benefits of self-storage options; they are affordable, so you do not have to part with items prematurely.
Five-Second Rule
If you need help with the step above, implement the five-second rule.
When sorting through items, if you cannot remember when you last used the item you are holding, get rid of it.
While that might not apply to sentimental items, it helps a lot for people reluctant to get rid of so-called useful items. If that sounds familiar, do not feel bad – we have all been there.
Timelines
Decluttering is a personal process, and while there are no universal timeframes, you must set a realistic timeline to complete each room or area.
Set attainable goals for each area to avoid feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.
Lastly, start cleaning before you begin decluttering – it will be much easier to set a timeline when your everyday items are out of the way.
