Do you feel your space has too much stuff? Are you feeling overwhelmed when you walk into a space because it’s not cleaned or organized? You want to start but just the thought of going into that space it keeping you out?
There is something that feels like stepping outside on a beautiful sunny day when you have nothing planned when you declutter a space. Now, decluttering the space will not be easy; you will face lots of choices and even a feeling of "Can I be done with this already?" but the result of successful decluttering not only helps you have more space but allows you to take something you loved and pass it on to someone else, but also allows the possibility to gain some mental fresh space. Doesn't walking into a clean and neat space feel relaxing? It feels like one less thing to do so you can enjoy what matters. In this article, I will share 5 things that will help you start decluttering your space.
Decluttering 2.0 | An easier way to organize
Just get started, but start small.
#1 Start Small
Starting in a small space is essential to developing your technique for decluttering. Taking on a space that is too large for your first few projects may make you feel overwhelmed and prevent you from completing any project. The point is to take your time; you will build your way up to the big projects.
Start by listing the significant areas in your home and rank them by cleanliness/most organized.
Living room
Kitchen
Bathroom
Dining Room
Bed Room
Garage
Let's say the living room ranked number 1. This is the room on which I am going to focus my planning. Follow the same steps as above. List all the areas in the living room that need to be organized.
Closet
Entertainment Center
Bookshelf
I will start there since the closet was the cleanest and most organized
#2 Bring all the Materials You Need
Now that I will start in the closest, I will bring items to help me stay organized and clean the area. Items you may bring include:
A box for items you no longer need, aka "Donate Box"
Ziplock bags or Organization containers
Duster
Wet cloth & Cleaning products
Cleaning Gloves
Broom/Dustpan
Mop
Hangers
Timer (Why? Read Alexa set the timer for..)
Have everything you need close at hand so you don't have to leave the space much.
Next, put on your favorite jams and start in one area of the closet. Remove all the items, clean them, and place the items you will keep back in the closet in an organized way.
For example, you can take out all the clothes (or go through them individually), place them in the donate box, and put the ones you will keep back in the closet on hangers. The point is to do small areas of the space at a time.
Remember to dust, sweep, and mop.
#3 Donate and/or give away gently used items
Donating and/or giving away gently used items is a great way to reduce waste and help someone else. Here are some places/ways you can do it.
Donate to your local shelter (Homeless, Women's...)
Share items with your Facebook friends (remember to stay safe!)
Yard Sale (I have done yard sales in which I say donations are welcome)
Donate to your local church (some churches ask for donations for charity work)
Check for upcycling
A friend in need
Repurpose (What else could you use this item for? Old towel, cut it and reuse it for a car or cleaning cloth)
Donating and/or giving away gently used items is a great way to reduce waste and help someone else.
#4 Repeat the Process
Once I finish with the closest, I will use the same technique on the Entertainment Center and bookshelf. Remember that you can spread your decluttering out. For example, in April, declutter the Living Room, and in May, declutter the Dining room. Use #1-3 for each space.
April: Declutter Living Room
Week 1: Declutter Closet
Week 2: Declutter the Entertainment Center
Week 3: Declutter the Bookshelf
Week 4: Plan for the May Declutter Project: Dinning room
The key is to keep the space clean and organized, which may mean skipping the store sales and saving more money in your pocket. It also may mean you have to make space for something before you buy something. This can be done by donating items you are not using (remember, making space doesn't mean clearing and replacing items; you want to reduce the amount of things in a space if necessary to keep it clean and organized).
Safety Net:
If you still need some help, reach out to a friend or small business that can help you! Some people love to organize for a living, let them help you.
#5 Prepare the Space
This one may be the most challenging of all steps. Preparing the space requires building the habit of cleaning up after yourself to prepare the space for the next use, but this is a post for a later date.
Takeaways
Decluttering a space can be challenging, but it is worth it for the mental and physical benefits.
Starting small and bringing all necessary materials are key.
Donating and/or giving away gently used items is a great way to reduce waste and help others.
Once you finish decluttering one space, repeat the process in other areas of your home.
Ask a friend for help or hire a small business that can help you declutter and organize.
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Please note that I don’t make any guarantees about the results of the information applied on CrystalMoniqueCoaching.com. I share educational and informational resources that are intended to help you succeed in fitness and education. You nevertheless need to know that your ultimate success or failure will be the result of your own efforts, your particular situation, and innumerable other circumstances beyond my knowledge and control.
