Decluttering Tips
Most people don't just wake up one morning and say "You know, I really want to declutter my home, and I'm super excited about it." Maybe a few do, but I don't think many people approach decluttering their home as a pleasant way to spend a day or weekend. If you're like me, it goes something like this: you open a closet door, it's crammed so full of stuff that something falls out and hits you on the head, and as you're on the floor holding your aching head, you accept the fact that you must declutter or you might get hurt the next time.
Well, this did actually happen to me a couple of months ago. I moved into my house two years ago, and it's a bit smaller than my previous home, and since it's also an older house, it has fewer, and smaller, closets. So although I like to think I have a pretty good handle on keeping clutter to a minimum, sometimes finding a place for everything can be a bit of a problem. So I crammed my linen closet a bit too much, and BOOM, a hand vac smacked me on the head one day.
But I'd like to offer some decluttering tips that have always worked for me in the past (which I obviously need to use again):
1. Select a day, weekend, or week for your decluttering efforts.
2. Create a simple plan (even just a list) to follow that includes the rooms (closets, areas, etc.) you plan to tackle.
3. Have all your supplies on hand BEFORE you begin. This should include boxes, trash bags, markers, and cleaning supplies.
4. Items will be one of the following: Keep, Giveaway, Trash, or Store. Make a decision for every item you have in the area you are working on.
5. Don't go overboard with the Store pile. If it hasn't fit you for years, it probably never will, so give it away or trash it, even if you loved it at one time.
6. Take short breaks to eat and drink, but avoid stopping for long periods of time in the middle of the project or you may kill your momentum.
7. Get help. Ask your family or a good friend to help and you can actually make it fun and productive. Play music to keep your energy level high.
8. Don't try to do it all in one day. Work hard, but know when it's time to quit, and start right back up again the next day. The reward will be greater than the hassle.
9. Devise systems to help you stay organized. This may include baskets, hooks, closet organizing systems, shelves--whatever your space and needs require.
10. After you've decluttered, clean. You may be less likely to clutter up a sparkling clean closet or room than one that's dusty and dirty.
Want more organizing resources? Check these out: 8 Decorating Tips for a Clutter Free Kitchen from ivillage, organizedhome.com, Get Organized Now!, and The Time Manager Organized Home.
Comments
These are great! I have been trying to do a lot of decluttering lately. I just wanted to add one thing. I realized all my efforts wouldn't do much good if I didn't stop buying so much junk. So now when I am standing in the store aisle holding this wonderful new thing I think that I just can't live without, I ask myself a few questions. Is it worth it to find a place for this thing? Is it worth cleaning and maintaining? Do I know someone I could borrow this thing from if I don't own it? And will I wonder why I own this thing when it falls out of the closet and hits me on the head? So things around here are getting a little better, now that I am implementing a lot of the strategies you posted, but I have to admit there are a lot of times I just can't resist the fabulous, gorgeous, once-in-a-lifetime deal that makes it necessary to declutter in the first place!!!
Posted by: Bee | August 15, 2006 05:21 PM
Hi, I've really enjoyed reading your blog, it's right up my street - but then I AM that person who can think of no better way to spend a day than decluttering and sorting out. Sad, but true!
Posted by: Gillie | August 16, 2006 09:58 AM
Hey LC! Thanks for stopping by :) I hired someone once to help me organize..she ended up putting all my stuff in boxes and setting it to be picked up with the trash. I was so upset..She was about to throw away my grandmothers old fashioned hairspray can holder, I was pissed cause thats all I have from her. Alan and I are bad at organizing. I wished we had the knack for it.
Posted by: Chelle | August 17, 2006 10:54 AM
A timely article for those of us that have kids going back to school. I found your information very useful when I added to what I learnt from www.decormotif.com
Posted by: bev | August 28, 2006 12:55 AM