Want to start cutting out the clutter in your home?
When I first moved into my house, I was determined to keep this house organized and minimally cluttered. Despite my best efforts the piles began to accumulate. The mess that I was determined to prevent now sat before me. Frankly, I was overwhelmed by the thought of clearing it all out.
Where to begin? When tackling any overwhelming task, the hardest part is getting started.
Standing amidst the mess, finding just where to start became a source of anxiety. The next thing I knew I was throwing my hands up in despair saying, “Oh, forget this. I’ll do it later.” Then I turned, grabbed a cold drink, and retreated to the sofa to play my favorite on my favorite phone app. Just for a minute, of course.
Enough procrastinating! I can do this! Determined, I set out to conquer this mess! Here are a few tips I used to overcome CCS or Clutter Crisis Syndrome.
One small step at a time
Look around. What annoys you the most of all your messes? Is it that messy desk, the cluttered counter, or perhaps the bursting closet? Chose the area that is calling your name the loudest, and determine to tackle that area first. Do it as soon as possible!
Progress produces happiness.
You will find that once you’ve checked that most annoying problem area off your list, you will feel a new sense of satisfaction, determination, and momentum that you have not felt in years. This momentum will propel you on to the next most nagging area of your home, and then the next, and the next. Until, one day you look around and your done. Your home is officially decluttered. You did it… one piece at a time.
Make an appointment with yourself
Decluttering takes time and commitment, but short bursts can be just as productive as a marathon sort-fest. Commit to 20-minute intervals every day with one day off a week for good behavior. Anyone can set aside 20 minutes a day to sort through that pile in the corner or clean off a shelf. If you do just 20 minutes a day, six days a week, that adds up to two hours per week you have dedicated to living a freer existence.
Let me say it again; progress makes us happy!
The feeling of accomplishment you will feel makes you want to keep going. By using this method, in a month you will have spent an entire day toward your goal. The best part is you did not have to set aside an entire Saturday to do it. Who wants to do that?
Develop new habits
Let’s get real. It is going to take some changes in your lifestyle to maintain all this work you just accomplished. You developed the habit of spending 20 minutes a day on clutter. You don’t want to loose ground. So, developing a few more habits to prevent it in the first place will be easy.
The best habit of all time (in my opinion) I mentioned previously in my article “Best Habits to Maintain an Organized Home”. It is the, “don’t put it down, put it away” rule. When applying this rule, you will begin to recognize just how often you simply toss things anywhere they land. It takes some discipline for this habit to stick. Give yourself time, but be diligent.
Create a Home for Your Stuff
The effort of developing the “don’t put it down, put it away” habit highlights other changes needed in your home. For instance, you can’t put it away if it does not have a home in the first place. Now you realize that you need to make a home for items you never noticed were displaced before.
Or, you can’t put it away if the item’s home is already too full of stuff. It’s time to purge some things.
You see what I mean. But that’s OK. You can tackle these as they occur, and soon everything will have a comfortable spot to land.
Make the storage make sense
Of course, when putting things away, it should make sense to put it there. It makes no sense to hang a shelf that is for items used daily out of reach. Sorry, but no one is going to get out a step stool to put that item away several times a day. It’s just not going to happen. I have seen people make this mistake, and then wonder why no one ever used the shelf.
Keep it comfortable for everyone who uses an item to put it away easily.
On the other hand, don’t store things you only occasionally use in the front of the closet. You get the idea.
Don’t just move things around
One thing that happens when starting out on a de-cluttering mission is that many people just move things around from one spot to the next. Resist the temptation to do this.
For example, one of my problem is books. I don’t know how many times I have moved books from one room to another because I won’t part with them. Have I even read some of these? No. I just move them from one place to another with the “someday I will” mentality. Really? Do I need to keep books I haven’t opened for decades? Probably not.
So, determine not to store things that you don’t use or don’t love. I can read the very same book online. I can find that recipe (or one better) online, too.
Yes, I do enjoy hard copies. I like to turn the page, highlight key points, or hold the book at the best angle for my bifocals. The truth of the matter is that the need for less clutter outweighs owning some these books. At least, for me.
Weigh every decision against your long-term goals. Is this the life and home you want?
Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying never to own another book (or whatever item you are purging). I am asking, is this book used or loved? When was the last time it was used? Ok, then. I need to make some choices about what to keep, store, or donate. I am no longer letting belongings weigh me down. Every time I sell or give away clutter I should do a victory shout. “Freedom!”
Success
With these steps the daunting task of de-cluttering your home will be well underway. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment, determination, and momentum. You’ll feel lighter and freer than you have in a very long time. These small but consistent steps produce major results. Now you have more time to enjoy your favorite things. And, isn’t that what it’s all about?