If you have not decluttered recently or kept at it since your last purge, it might be quite a job to get things back under control. If so, think long and hard about what it causes the clutter to accumulate so you can learn to avoid it in the future.
For us? It was over-accumulation of warehouse store goods, the need to complete our sets, and unwillingness to make do without the latest gadgets? Learned from this? Yes, we did and still learning more.
I’m finding that it’s a continuous journey on the way to whatever form of minimalism or simplicity appeals to us. But by being intentional, slowing down, looking around, it starts to become more obvious what it is that causes the clutter to accumulate.
Luckily, there are many ways to deal with your clutter while saving your sanity. Decluttering and organizing by smaller or discrete units of your home at a time can help you get past the overwhelm.
Prioritize Locations
First, take a seat and make some notes. Sketch and break up your home into general locations. Sketching out your home helps to identify areas you may normally miss. Include non-rooms such as hallways, closets, outside deck area, and entryway. Walk around your home as you do this. Decide what area will be your first concern, then your second, after that your third, etc.
Take your normal life activities into account for this step. If your kids always have friends over, your living room may be an initial concern. If you think it’d be calming to have a clutter-free zone to retire to each evening, then you might make your bedroom the first priority.
Pick Area Size According to Available Time
Decide just how much time each day you will dedicate to the task of decluttering. With full days to spare, you might be able to tackle an entire room. Just also be sure to take into account your energy levels. If you are like many people and have tons of other obligations, then it may make a lot more sense to take on smaller areas within a room.
Break Down Each Location into Sections
Once you have decided how much space you are likely to be able to tidy each day, break each room down into areas such as wardrobe, dresser, desk, floor, etc. Make the sections tiny enough that you can complete your task in ultimately. Whether it gets accomplished in a half-hour or six hours, feel content that you have actually accomplished the job you set out to do.
Enlist Some Assistance from Friends and Family Members
Ask a particularly organized member of the family to aid you, or arrange for a decluttering swap with a friend. Involve them in the planning process, and help each other when it involves actual physical labor. Make it enjoyable, and even order pizza for your helpers later. A lot of friends would be more than happy to help out when asked. Consider that you can always return the support in the future.
I know cleaning is always much quicker when I’m working something in one room and family is vacuuming and folding towels in the meantime. It makes me so happy!
Be Realistic but also Flexible
Even when we set goals, life gets in the way. Don’t get down on yourself if you do not reach your objective, or if you need to reschedule due to life events. Even if it takes longer than planned, starting is more important than the act of finishing. Stay consistent and keep decluttering. Eventually, you will reach a point of balance in your life. That’s why it’s important to be okay with occasionally missing as long as you know you will be back to it when possible.
Set an alarm on your cell phone, or find some way to remind you to get into the decluttering groove without forgetting it. Be flexible. If you need a specific room decluttered quicker than initially thought, get to work on it, even if it makes you put off another room in the meantime. As long as you are doing something every day, you are headed in the right direction.
Decluttering takes organization. Prioritizing your job and selecting discrete jobs to do implies that you will be able to get everything done. Use these concepts and get well on your way to a fruitful decluttering session today and every day!
