Your home should be a sanctuary, a place where you can unwind and recharge after a long day. If you’re like most people, the first thing you feel when you walk in your front door is stress and overwhelm.
Clutter is the culprit. It’s not worth it if you have more stuff that you actually need. It drains you. You have more to do, more to worry about and more to trip on. Trust me, I’ve been there!
It doesn’t have that way. Let go of the clutter and you can get back your energy, time, and money. These 9 proven home clutter-free tips will help you get rid of your clutter.
9 Simple Tips for Decluttering Your Home
1. Get started with a meaningful decluttering task
Many people feel overwhelmed by how to declutter their home. My top tip: My top tip? Choose a small, meaningful project that will not overwhelm you but adds a lot to your life.
You’ll feel relieved when you don’t have to look at your mess every morning if you clear out your bedside table. You can also declutter the table near your front door (you’re familiar with the drop zone). You won’t need to worry about keys finding in rushes.
These projects are a great way to improve your quality of living. This satisfaction will keep you motivated to clean your home and tackle larger projects.
2. Be clear about your goals
Lack of clarity is often the root cause of clutter. It’s difficult to define what you want in your home if you don’t have a clear vision. Then everything will find a way to creep into it.
What is the solution? Clear communication is key to determining the goals and purpose of each space.
Consider your bedroom as an example. It’s where I go to relax and get reenergized at the end of a long day. Although it may sound obvious, I find it easier to understand that items such as paperwork and craft supplies don’t belong there.
These guidelines will make it easy to declutter your house. These guidelines will help you make informed decisions and not feel overwhelmed by the decision-making process.
3. Do not be afraid to create your own rules
Once you have established your goals, it is possible to create your own rules and organize your home. Here are some examples:
- We have too many toys if it takes more than 15 minutes to clean up.
- I don’t wear clothes that can be washed only.
- One shelf is all I have for towels and bedding. If the items don’t fit on one shelf, something must go.
- There should be no more than three decorative items per flat surface.
These are just a few random things that I have found helpful in decluttering. It’s okay if your rules are different. It is not about what you should do, but rather what works for you. Make your own rules, then you can simplify your life .
4. You should plan ahead what you will do with your clutter.
Many people become stuck in their clutter because they don’t know how to get rid of unwanted items. I can tell you because I have been there.
Before you begin decluttering, decide what you will do with your stuff.
Why is this important? It’s exhausting because you will have to make many decisions when decluttering. It’s also necessary to cope with the emotional burden of letting go. You want to make it easier.
You can reduce your decision fatigue by deciding in advance what you will do with your stuff. Emotions are less likely to influence your decisions. Guilt over wasted money could make you feel you must sell your stuff even though you don’t have time or the energy.
5. To avoid being distracted, set a timer for decluttering
You’ve probably tried decluttering before and know how easy it can be to get distracted. You may find yourself thinking about a friend in an old dress, and then you end up looking through old photos and wandering down memory lane.
It happens to everyone. This is why I use a timer when decluttering. You should set a time limit, say five minutes. Don’t spend more than that on any item.
You can put something aside if you don’t know what to do with it. Later, you can return to it. It might feel like double-handling, but it is better than getting stuck. You can keep going with the easy stuff and build momentum. This will make you feel confident and empowered to tackle the difficult stuff later.
6. Quit relating to clutter stories that lead you to keep things longer than necessary.
As a minimalist for years, I have learned one thing: our stuff is not just “stuff”. Instead, what we have is a reflection of who and what we believe.
For example, I had over 100 pairs of shoes. Why? Because I was insecure about my appearance deep down. But when I wore high-heeled stilettos I could fool myself into feeling confident.
Although your clutter stories may be different, I can almost guarantee that you have them. It is worth taking the time to identify the root causes of clutter in your home. This will make it easier to declutter.
7. Be realistic about how long it might take to declutter your home
Let’s be real. I am tired of reading blog posts that claim that you can clean out your entire house in one day or two days.
While it might be possible for certain people, I believe that most people have unrealistic expectations. It took you a long while to accumulate that clutter in your home, and it will likely take some time to get rid of it. You will feel defeated if you try to do too much at once.
Realistic expectations, based on your time and energy, will set you up for success. Slow decluttering allows you to take the time to understand your clutter and make better decisions for the future.
8. Take photos of small victories and celebrate them as you clean out your home. It will be a great reminder of how far you have come in times of difficulty.
My home was so cluttered that it took me many years to get rid of it. YEARS. Trust me, sometimes it can feel like you aren’t making any progress. Sometimes, you feel like giving up and throwing your hands in the sand.
Reflecting on the progress you have made is one of the best things you can do when this happens. Instead of dwelling on how far you have to go, celebrate the progress you’ve made.
Taking photos is one way to do this. Although you might not feel like you have done much, photos can show the truth. Decluttering is also a journey of discovery. Documenting your journey can help to understand why you have kept certain items.
9. In your decluttering strategy, include self-care
It’s exhausting to declutter. It’s physically demanding and mentally draining. You’ll understand what I mean if you have ever spent an afternoon cleaning out your grandmother’s old quilts and your firstborn’s clothes. It’s difficult on the heart and emotions.
Many people become stuck in a never-ending cycle of decluttering. They attempt to do too many things at once, and eventually burn out.
If you feel the same, slow decluttering can help. However, it is also important to plan self-care. Take a break from work and go for a walk on the beach or a quiet cup of tea on the deck. Whatever it is that you need to restore your health, make it a priority.
Self-care should not be considered an afterthought. It should be an integral part of clearing clutter from your home. You must take care of yourself so you can continue to work.
10. Bonus tip: Download your free decluttering book
If you liked this post, I invite you download my free decluttering book. The guide will walk you through the steps that I used to declutter more than 80% of my belongings. It also includes a troubleshooting guide for tricky clutter such as sentimental items.
