Clutter can easily build up around our homes, especially if we’re prone to hiding things away in drawers and cupboards. In this, the second part of my Declutter Your Life series, I’ll suggest ways in which you can clear clutter from your home in small achievable steps.
Even if your home appears tidy, you may have many items you no longer need taking up space on your shelves, in your drawers, cupboards and wardrobes. Working through your home and gradually removing these unwanted items will clear space for renewed energy to flow.
Clutter around the home can be detrimental to health, wellbeing and mood. Taking steps to declutter your home and maintain a clear, clean and tidy environment, can have a positive effect on your overall physical and mental wellbeing.
Tips for how you could declutter your home
Focus on one area at a time
Taking on the decluttering task and looking at your whole home can bring about feelings of overwhelm and may put you off even starting. It’s best to focus on one small area at a time and dedicate just a few minutes each day to getting your home back in order.
Begin with one room and one area of that room only. That might be one drawer, a cupboard or your magazine and newspaper collection. Work through just that area, deciding what you need to keep and what can be thrown or given away. If the decluttering task appears overwhelming, only do this area for today, before moving on to the next area tomorrow.
Stick with the same room, working your way around the room until you have completely decluttered and organised everything within that room. Move on to the next room and repeat, doing just a little at a time.
Be ruthless!
There is little point in embarking on this challenge if you want to keep everything you have around your home!
As you go through your decluttering task, decide whether you really need to keep something. Are you keeping clothes that are too small for you but you’re hoping to fit into them one day? Or are your bookshelves heaving under the weight of books you’ve already read and are unlikely to read again? What about your household documents – are you holding on to old bank statements or bills that are no longer necessary to keep?
To truly feel the benefits of decluttering your home, you have to be ruthless. Don’t hold on to anything just for the sake of it. If it no longer serves any purpose, get rid of it.
Create three piles
When I have a decluttering moment, I find it easier to create three piles from the items I am working through:
- Items to keep – only if necessary
- Items to throw away – being mindful of whether it could be reused or upcycled elsewhere
- Items to give away or sell
Keep only the items you absolutely have to keep, remembering to be ruthless in your decision making. Be mindful that what you are throwing away could be reused or recycled elsewhere or by someone else, reducing the impact on landfill sites. You could offer your unwanted books, clothes, furniture or ornaments to someone else who may have a better use for them. Ask friends or family if they would like them, take them to a charity shop or offer them to the wider community through online groups.
Sell your unwanted items
It’s always a bonus to make a little bit of money on your unwanted items. There are various ways you can do this, such as boot fairs, online auction sites or local community selling groups on social media. Don’t hold on to items for too long though, if they aren’t selling you may want to give them away instead so you are clearing your living space.
Keep motivated
It can be difficult to remain enthusiastic all the time, if you have large areas of your home you wish to declutter. If you really don’t feel like having a clear out on one particular day, then don’t. It’ll be great to get your whole home organised, but do take your time. If you are feeling under-motivated, focus on the areas you have already cleared and allow yourself that sense of achievement so far!
Creating and maintaining a clean and clear living space, can bring peace and renewed energy to your home. In removing old energies that had built up in your home, new energy will be able to flow and bring you a better sense of wellbeing.
I would love to hear how decluttering your life is benefiting you. Please leave me a comment below to let me know!
Declutter Your Life Three-Part Blog Series – for bringing renewed energy into your life for improved health and wellbeing:
- Part 1 – How to Declutter Your Online Life
- Part 2 – How to Declutter Your Home
- Part 3 – How to Declutter People From Your Life
