7 ways to declutter your life
If you have cupboards and shelves full of bits, pieces, knickknacks and things, it might be time to get organised and have a proper clear out.
Getting rid of clutter is a positive step to take as it can free up space in your home and reduce stress. When there is not enough room for all of your things to be put away it can cause tension, even if you don’t realise it.
Follow our steps to get rid of the clutter for good.
1. Take a positive approach
Rather than thinking of your next clear-out as a drag or a task to be dreaded, try to view of it in a more optimistic light. This is your chance to clear space, get rid of things you don’t need, and free up your home of things that may be holding you back.
2. Get support
Often it can feel overwhelming if you have a lot of stuff to go through. Grab a friend of family member to begin the task with you. They can keep you moving forward if you get sidetracked reading old love letters. They can also be the voice of reason to ask ‘do you really want to keep this?’ You can even hire professional organisers if you feel the task is too much to handle for an amateur.
3. Find a free morning
Choose a morning to begin the task as your mind will be clearer than it would be in the afternoon or evening. Ensure you have a few hours free. Instead of choosing one room to declutter, it’s best to choose a category of items (think about how many places in your house you keep books, for instance). Sit down with all of your books first, and go through them one by one. Have a good look and feel of them, and decide if you really do need to keep it in your life. After books you can do clothes, paperwork, toiletries, and the pantry. You might find more categories depending on your stage of life and interests.
4. Get your boxes ready
Prepare yourself for the task by bringing in some big strong boxes. One for rubbish, one for charity, and one for items that need to be returned or gifted to someone else. And of course, the items that you want to keep can go in a pile of their own.
5. Be ruthless
Now is not the time to be sentimental. Just because someone gave you something doesn’t mean you need to keep it for the rest of your life. If you have items you haven’t used in the past year, get rid of them. Things that you don’t really and truly love that are still in good condition should be passed on to charity. Think of it as though you are setting your clutter free to find a new home where it will be loved.
6. Find a home for everything.
Now that you know what you actually want to keep, you need to find a permanent home for it. Think about having a place where you keep stationery for instance – so that next time you are looking for a pen or an envelope you will know exactly where to look instead of hunting through drawers. Spend time packing your clothes away into neat, usable piles. Now is the time to organise your books if you want to.
7. Assess any new purchases before they come inside
With your new neat and tidy shelves and cupboards, the last thing you want to do is fill them again with more ‘stuff’ because someone gave it to you, or it was on sale, or whatever reason you have. Really decide before you buy things or accept things whether you need them in your life, and whether they will add to your situation.
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