TAKING THE OVERWHELM OUT OF DECLUTTERING
Let’s not beat around the bush: decluttering is NOT an easy process. But, it is a necessary one if you want to lead a calm, collected, clutter-free life! If we’re being honest, most people have some sort of clutter in their lives - some a little, others a lot. But, did you know that the majority of people with clutter are overwhelmed by its presence in their life?
Clutter is an energy drain.
Not only that, clutter can also drain us of time, and in most cases, it has already drained us of money. People in cluttered homes spend precious time every day looking for lost items -- shoes, keys, tools, etc. And that wasted time adds up quickly if you’re not careful!
But the most obvious toll that clutter can take on a person’s life: stress. Although unseen and often not recognized as stress, clutter in your home can cause undue stress in many ways. From the embarrassment of having guests over in your home, to visual reminders of ongoing projects, and things in the way of cooking and cleaning.
Say it with me again: decluttering is NOT an easy process. But, your mental health and overall wellbeing depend on it! There’s no better time than right now to tackle the clutter in your home. With the arrival of the holiday season, you’re probably going to be hosting more than usual in the coming weeks. You want a home you can be proud of!
Do not make the process harder than it has to be.
Decluttering can be a simple process if you break it down into three easy categories: Keep, Donate, or Garbage. When you break it down further into “selling” or “consigning” items, it tends to complicate what should be an easy process. Selling items should only be considered if the item in question is high value.
As you begin to declutter, there are a few things you can think about to make the process easier. Take the stress out of it by asking yourself these simple questions:
When did I use it last?
Will I use it again in the next six months?
Can I borrow this item from a family member or close friend?
Does it take more time and energy to maintain the item than I have time and energy to provide to it?
Remember, it is okay to let things go - even gifts. Your gift-giver, whether it was five years ago or your last birthday, wouldn’t want you to keep an item that you feel overwhelmed by. In fact, Marie Kondo teaches that a gift has already served its purpose - the act of giving and receiving was the intention of the gift. Past this point, you can choose to keep or give that gift away.
You can have the item or the space, not both.
These wise words from The Home Edit can help you view your decluttering process as a path to more space, less things. Or in other words: more calm, less clutter. The more clutter we have in our lives, the more stressful environment it creates. By processing through the items in our space and choosing to let go of certain things, we are choosing to simplify both our external and internal environments.
Your internal feelings are directly affected by your external environment! By approaching the task of decluttering from this mindset, remind yourself of the burden you are letting go of as you slowly sift through and remove items that do not serve you in your space.
Decluttering Strategies
You want to feel in control of your space as you begin to remove clutter from your home. The easiest way of staying focused and not getting overwhelmed is to declutter room by room. Make a list of the spaces in your home and do one per week until you get to a comfort level where you can do more than one in a week.
Remember to start with spaces that provide less of an emotional attachment than others: focus on the utility room, garage, or pantry before going through old files, a child’s playroom, or your wardrobe.
As you go room to room, remember to keep the process simple by giving yourself 3 options only: Keep, Donate, or Garbage. By going through your space and decluttering, you can set yourself up for an organized lifestyle that promotes beauty, positivity, and calm.
However, if decluttering still seems like a daunting task, don’t be afraid to ask for help (this is a judgement-free zone)! Our Bellingham and Seattle Professional Organizing Teams are made up of some of the most compassionate, kind, supportive women I have ever met. I know they would be happy to help take this burden off your hands, and create a space for you to feel peace in. If this is you, leave a comment down below - we’d love to connect with you and help declutter your home!
