Why Decluttering is Important
Decluttering my home has been an ongoing process for me over the past few years. I’ve realized just how beneficial it is for reducing stress and creating a calmer environment. When my home is filled with clutter, I find myself feeling overwhelmed every time I walk into a room. Decluttering helps create a sense of peace and tranquility that allows me to really enjoy my space. Here’s what I’ve learned about the best ways to declutter and where to start.
Determine Your Goals
Before beginning the decluttering process, it’s important to determine your goals. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
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What are your reasons for wanting to declutter? Do you want to reduce stress and anxiety? Make cleaning easier? Create space for new belongings?
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How much time can you devote to decluttering each week? Can you commit to 15-30 minutes daily or 2-3 hour blocks each weekend?
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Do you aim to declutter just one room like the kitchen, or will you tackle the whole house room by room?
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Are there any spaces like the basement or attic that need major decluttering focus?
Having clear goals and a realistic timeline will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed as you get started.
Start Small By Decluttering One Area
It’s tempting to want to declutter your whole home all at once, but the process will be much more manageable if you start small. Pick one area like a drawer, closet, counter or shelf and fully commit to decluttering just that space before moving on.
I recommend starting with a clutter hotspot like the kitchen junk drawer or bedroom closet. Fully clearing out the most cluttered spaces first will give you a sense of accomplishment to motivate you to keep going.
Use the “One In, One Out” Rule
As you declutter, I recommend using the “one in, one out rule.” This means that when you bring any new item into your home, you need to get rid of another item. So if you buy a new pair of shoes, an old pair must be donated or thrown out.
This stops clutter from accumulating again and forces you to be more selective about what you allow into your home. I’ve found this simple rule has kept clutter remarkably under control.
Be Ruthless About Getting Rid of Things
When deciding what to get rid of, I recommend being as ruthless as possible. If you haven’t used an item in over a year, it’s unlikely you’ll need it again. Any clothing that doesn’t fit perfectly or isn’t your absolute favorite should be donated.
Sentimental items can be the hardest to part with, so I suggest boxing these up and storing them rather than having them take up prime real estate. If you don’t use or miss them after 6-12 months, it’s time to let them go.
Categorize Items Using the STACK Method
As you declutter each area, use the STACK method to decide what to do with items:
- Sell – List online or take to a consignment store
- Trash – Broken or unusable items to throw away
- Donate – Clothing and household goods in decent shape
- Keep – Essential items you use regularly and love
- Archive – Sentimental items or paperwork to sort through later
Having clear categories makes it quicker to make decluttering decisions.
Don’t Let Laundry and Dishes Pile Up
Two areas that quickly become cluttered are laundry and dishes. Don’t let these everyday tasks pile up or they can make your whole house feel messy.
I make sure to do one load of laundry per day and try to never go to bed with dishes in the sink. Even 5 minutes of tidying these areas daily prevents them from becoming overwhelming.
Maintain with Quick Daily Decluttering
Once you’ve decluttered an area, make sure it doesn’t get cluttered again! Dedicate 5-10 minutes each evening to a quick tidy up focused on:
- Putting away any items left out around the house
- Doing the dishes and/or a load of laundry
- Decluttering the counter tops by putting away or throwing out anything cluttering them
- Quick organization of any problem areas like toy overflow
Daily maintenance is crucial. Don’t let decluttered spaces regress to their previous state!
Be Patient With Yourself
Decluttering your whole home takes time. Go room by room and stick to manageable chunks. Remind yourself that you don’t have to finish in one weekend.
Celebrate any progress you make, no matter how small. Once you build decluttering habits, you’ll start to crave the peace of mind a tidy home provides.
