Is your home cluttered and totally disorganized? If you’re like me, it probably overwhelms you to have so many things in too many places. In order to reset your space and add calm to your life, it is necessary to declutter and organize. The decluttering process includes getting rid of what you don’t use or don’t want. Don’t stop there! After decluttering, give everything a home. You may even find more to declutter in the process of organizing.
Here are some ideas to help you declutter AND organize your home without feeling overwhelmed.
- Make a list of the cluttered spaces in your home. Creating a list can help you stay on task in one space before moving to another. Without a list, you’ll be tempted to stop what you’re doing in one space when you notice something out of place in another space. Picking one space at a time will help you with productivity and increase your chances of getting your space clean and clear of what you don’t need or don’t want.
- What stays and what goes? This can be a difficult question for some. Start with a room that would be an easy project for you such as the laundry room. The laundry room? Yes! The laundry room is a space you use all the time so if it’s cluttered and unorganized, it impacts your life. You’ll also less like to have emotional decisions to make when clearing this space so it’s a perfect candidate for the #1 spot on your list.
- Have storage bins ready – Here’s where the organizing part comes in. Set yourself up for success by having a bin available for the sorting and storage of items that are seasonal. You can also have a bin available for items that serve a purpose but aren’t used very often. If you want to take it a step further, label each bin so you can remember what goes where. Make sure you label a bin for trash, recycle, and/or donate.
- Ask for help – Don’t feel ashamed or guilty about needing help. To make it fun, find ways to include the kids in the process. If decluttering and organizing makes you anxious, having the little ones around may help keep the atmosphere super light. Remember, there are also professionals who can either help you or who you can hire to complete this project for you. If you need professional help, get professional help. No judgment here.
- Take your time – You may not finish room #1 in one day. You may not finish room #1 in one week. Please know that that’s okay. Even if you have to break the decluttering process into smaller steps, do what works for you. Spend 20 minutes a day dedicated to decluttering or organizing. You don’t have 20 minutes? Spend 10 minutes on this project. The goal is to finish, regardless of how long it takes you to finish. Make yourself proud by doing it in a way that works for you.
This is where you take a deep breath. Once you’re done decluttering and organizing, take a step back to assess your progress. Does everything have a “home”? Is it serving a purpose? Are the items easy to find and use? If you have to rearrange some things, that’s perfectly fine. One thing is for sure, you will feel much better and your home, your mind, and your family will thank you for it.
“What I know for sure is that when you declutter – whether it’s your home, your head, or your heart – it is astounding what will flow into that space that will enrich you, your life, and your family.” – Peter Walsh
