Small Steps And Little Tips To Getting Decluttered
"If you're not using the stuff in your home, get rid of it. You're not going to start using it more by shoving it in a closet somewhere."
― Joshua Becker
Getting decluttered and organized can be quite a journey. You can find it filled with pitfalls and detours. It can seem like a never-ending trip. Sometimes just taking that first step can be the hardest part.
If you take it slow and easy, I believe you can accomplish almost anything. The key is consistency. Make a plan and stick to it. Whether it's ten minutes a day or thirty minutes a day, you will see the results if you are consistent.
Set a daily or weekly goal. Ten minutes a day is only a total of one hour and ten minutes a week. Do you want to work on one room at a time? Do you want to start with all closets? Set your goal and be consistent. Put that goal in writing as a reminder.
Be realistic in your goals. Remember small steps. Small goals.
Small steps to get you started
You can't declutter your whole house in a day. But you can clean out the junk drawer today.
Take five minutes and pick up five things. Put away, throw away or give away.
Set a timer for the length of your decluttering session. A ticking timer will get you moving.
Start with the easy things. Going from room to room, toss anything broken, outdated, or expired into a trash bag.
Start one drawer at a time. Dump everything out of the drawer and start sorting. Now, it's decision time. Do you keep it, donate it, throw it away, give it away, or sell it. Be sure you have boxes to sort into so that everything you are donating is in one box and everything you are selling is in another, and so on.
Guidelines for keeping or tossing-
Have you used it in the last year?
Will I need it in the next few months?
Could I get another one if I needed to?
Another suggestion if you are unsure of getting rid of something, put it in a box, tape it up, date it, and then in a couple of months, if you haven't opened that box, toss it out.
Are you finding items on shelves and closets that are dust-covered? It means you haven't needed them in quite some time. You know the drill; toss them.
If you have decided to get rid of something, it should be removed from the house ASAP. Schedule a pick-up or drop them off at a dropbox. Don't leave an opening for second thoughts.
When cleaning closets, a good rule is if you haven't worn something in over a year, donate or give it away. Churches and women's shelters are always in need of clothing. Your donation would be greatly appreciated.
Keep a box in a closet labeled donations.
What is the one area of your home that is the most in need of decluttering? That might be an excellent place to start. Think how good you will feel every time you walk past that newly decluttered and organized spot in your home. Remember, just a few minutes a day can make that a reality.
Make decluttering a daily habit, especially when it comes to those hot spots in your home. You know the areas that seem to draw in the clutter like a magnet. In my home, it's the dining room table. Spend a few minutes each day picking up in the hot spots.
Start putting things where they belong instead of just putting them down anywhere. It really can't take much more time to put things where they belong.
Baskets and trays and, of course, a small trash container can be a big help in containing your clutter. Sort your mail between trash and the basket delegated for mail to keep. Use another basket or tray for things like keys, sunglasses, and all the things you usually try to remember when leaving the house.
Track your progress on a calendar. Put a big red X or maybe a sticker on each day that you have accomplished some decluttering.
And don't forget to reward yourself. Start that new book, enjoy a glass of wine, give yourself a pedicure. Or sit quietly and take in the sight of your hard work—nothing like surveying your accomplishments to get you motivated for the next day of decluttering. You got this!
"Decluttering is infinitely easier when you think of it as deciding what to keep, rather than deciding what to throw away."-
Francine Jay
