Clutter can be the thing that is clogging up your life and not allowing you to have a comfortable space for yourself at home. Whether it is sentiment or memories that is keeping you from getting rid of your clutter, getting past it will definitely be like a breath of fresh air. Now I don’t mean clutter like furniture, I mean like those pairs of pants that you haven’t worn in a couple years but you still keep because you might want to someday. Or those bins of old cables in your closet that don’t have a use anymore.
In those moments, we might want to take some advice from Marie Kondo. Then ask ourselves if these forgotten items still spark joy, or maybe if they are still useful. If they aren’t, then maybe we can live with putting them in the donation pile. These five steps will set you on the right path to decluttering.
Donate clothes you never wear
Start decluttering by parting with clothes. I am sure this can be really difficult, especially if they bring back fond memories. The fact is that if you haven’t worn it in over three months, then add it to the donation pile. By doing this, you will be on your way to decluttering unused clothing. You will also open up so much more room for new styles and clothing to try! And maybe that closet or drawer space can be used for storing other things causing clutter around your house.
Start decluttering small sections at a time
I do admit that at its worst, decluttering my home can be seriously overwhelming. I don’t know where to start and most of the time I end up cleaning a bit everywhere. Afterward, it doesn’t feel like I made much of a difference. Because of this, starting small is the way to go. Maybe you want to tackle your workspace first if it is the space where you spend most of your time. I am guilty of mindlessly placing so many random objects on my desk that somehow become permanent. But now is when we learn to let go of those things. This will make a huge difference in how you feel in your workspace and how productive you are.
Decluttering with a friend
Getting help from a friend might be one of the quickest ways to declutter space. You are objective to your space because it is yours, and you’re used to living with your clutter. But a friend might be able to recognize when something isn’t quite necessary. Just remember to hear them out and give them the benefit of the doubt! Getting defensive over your clutter is normal, but if your goal is to declutter, hear the constructive criticism!
Do the 12/12/12 decluttering challenge
You might be familiar with this challenge. It is something that has helped me many times when I don’t know where to start decluttering. Firstly, you find 12 items to throw away, 12 to donate, and 12 to return to its proper home. If you’re feeling courageous, try repeating this a few times. The items can be as big or small as you please and the feeling of renewal that comes afterward is unmatched!
Get rid of the things that make your home seem like a storage unit
We all know the feeling of hoarding objects from years past, like a TV set from your childhood, or your DVD collection from when you were in high school. These things that were once important to us can end up clogging our homes and contribute to our feeling of recklessness. Some of these things do hold sentimental value, which is why I understand how difficult it can be to donate or throw something away.
But it is no excuse to use your home as a storage unit! If you cannot bear to part with absolutely anything, I would suggest renting a storage unit to remove the clutter from your life. That way, you know your belongings are in a safe space and can have it away from your immediate living area.
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