I just decluttered my whole house, and it feels like I ‘washed my soul.’
There is no other way to describe it.
I feel lighter and breezier and sense that the house has more space and oxygen.
If you want to feel the same vibes but don’t know where to start, I got you!
Here is a practical plan to start decluttering your home as soon as you press like on this article. A comment would be nice too 🙂
Step 1. Write up your plan
The mess is overwhelming, and you may not know what to do first. You start by writing down every place in your house you will declutter.
My list looked like this.
Start with the number one on the list, and don’t forget to put a checkmark near each item once completed. The sense of accomplishment will release dopamine in your brain and keep you going until the last item.
Step 2. Make time
One of the main reasons people don’t declutter is lack of time.
But when I told you I got you, I meant it. We will make time with our own bare hands if we need to.
The ‘Do it all’ and ‘ I don’t know how she does it’ tropes are all myths. Nobody does it all at all times. If you want to make the time to declutter and organize your home, you must consciously clear up the time for it.
I am sure there is a fancier term for it, but in my head, I call it ‘ the compensation rule.’
Here are some practical ideas for making time:
- A no-cooking needed day: grab a pizza, a meal from the freezer, leftovers, or cook the night before, so you free your afternoon for organizing a closet/room, etc.
- Ask or hire someone to take your kids on a trip or outing for a few hours, hide your phone, and dive into a closet.
- Cut off the biggest time wasters from your day. Make a deal with yourself, ‘I won’t go on any social media until I finish this closet’ or ‘ I won’t watch TV until I check off the next item.’
- Take advantage of small free time slots you may have in your day. It could be a lunch break or waiting for the pot to boil. Sometimes, even 15 minutes is enough to clean a shelf, and you will be so pumped with the results that you will keep going.
Step 3. Sorting your items
Everyone knows the famous KonMari method of tidying up. Marie Kondo is adorable and stylish, and I have read the book and watched the show. Love her!
But…
I don’t think the question, “ Does this spark joy?” is an effective way to declutter.
If I have to hold every item I own and start looking for and assessing my feelings toward it, I don’t think I will ever see the end of it.
Instead, I ask myself this simple question:
Is this useful to me?
Yes. Keep it.
No. Out it goes.
When sorting things out:
Toss
- Broken items
- Chapped dishes or glass items
- Stained, ripped, or holed clothing or shoes
- All unnecessary paper clutter
- Expired or unedible food items
Donate, Give, or Sell
- Pre-loved, functional, but no longer in use clothing, shoes, bags, books, appliances, kitchen gadgets, tools, school supplies, sports gear, furniture, costumes, art, and anything else you have that you don’t use but may be helpful to someone else.
Step 4. Invest in some boxes, baskets, and containers
Now you will organize everything you have left. You can enjoy a home that contains only the things you love, use, and need.
That way, you know exactly what you have and where to find it, and you won’t need to buy more useless things, aka clutter.
Invest in boxes, baskets, and containers to create a home for every item. It is a great way to contain toys, magazines, art supplies, food, photos, phone charges, etc. They can be placed in pantries, laundry rooms, closets, office spaces, toy rooms, storage rooms, and virtually anywhere in the house.
It will make your home look organized and elegant; it will be easier to clean up and place each time in their assigned ‘home.’ I highly suggest clear containers; it makes everything visible and easily accessible, and they have a modern and sophisticated look to them.
These two ladies are my absolute favorites when it comes to home organization. They have a Netflix show, a podcast, and a fantastic store.
I am not affiliated with them; they are just too awesome not to recommend. Check them out; thank me later.
Step 5. The final touches
Now you will start reaping the fruits of your labor. You followed a plan, made time, eliminated all the unnecessary stuff, and organized everything in boxes or baskets.
Breath. I can feel the fresh air from here. I am proud of you.
Here are some final tips for keeping your house organized, clutter-free, spacious, and breezy.
- Keep all the items that you frequently use easy to access. All the sporadic or seasonal items store out of sight.
- At the end of each season, wash, clean, and put away the items for the following year.
- After every party, event, or activity, return the items used to their original place.
- Avoid visual clutter on your walls. Don’t fill every wall with family photos and art; go lightly on the decor. Less is more.
- Create the habit of discarding, recycling, giving, or selling as more items come to your home.
Now you can enjoy your organized, clean, clutter-free home. I hope this process brings peace of mind, harmony, and joy into your home and life.
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