DECLUTTER The Right Way! | 4 Tips To Declutter Like A Pro Organizer
Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed by the clutter in your home? Decluttering can seem like a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be manageable and even enjoyable. Here are four tips to help you get started:
Decluttering Tip 1: Start Small
Tip one, starting small, is all about breaking down the task of decluttering into manageable chunks. Instead of trying to declutter your entire house all at once, which can be overwhelming and daunting, focus on one small area or category at a time. This could be a single drawer, a shelf, or a closet or a sub-section in your kitchen, like your utensils, bakeware, pots & pans, etc. By starting small, you’ll be able to make progress quickly and see the results of your efforts. I like to call these mini win cycles. Over time, mini win cycles turn into solid decluttering processes, mindset shifts, and habit stacking.
Another benefit of starting small is that it will help you build momentum. When you’re able to declutter and organize a small area, it will give you a sense of accomplishment and encourage you to keep going. This can be especially helpful if you’re feeling overwhelmed or unmotivated to start decluttering.
Additionally, starting small also allows you to test out different decluttering techniques and strategies, and work to develop a system that works for you. You can experiment with different methods and see what works best for you and your home. This way, you can apply the most successful techniques to the bigger, more challenging areas of your home over time.
In summary, starting small is a great way to make decluttering manageable and less overwhelming. It allows you to focus on one area at a time, build momentum, prioritize achieving your mini win cycles, and test out different strategies.
Decluttering Tip 2: Set A 30 Minute Timer
Tip two, setting a timer for 30 minutes, is a great way to help you stay focused and on task while decluttering. It creates a sense of urgency and a clear goal that will help you to be more efficient with your time. By setting a timer for 30 minutes, you’ll be able to declutter for a focused and concentrated amount of time without getting too tired or overwhelmed.
One benefit of using a timer is that it can help you overcome procrastination. When you know that you only have 30 minutes to work on decluttering, you’ll be more likely to start the task and get to work. It also helps to set a timer that will ring when the time is up, so you know when to stop.
Another benefit of using a timer is that it can help you to be more productive. When you’re focused on the task at hand and know that you only have a limited amount of time to complete it, you’ll be more likely to work efficiently and make progress.
Overall, setting a timer for 30 minutes is a great way to stay focused and on task while decluttering. It creates a sense of urgency, helps to overcome procrastination, helps to be more productive, and allows you to break up the task of decluttering into smaller chunks. By using a timer, you’ll be able to declutter your home more efficiently and effectively, again without the overwhelm or stress.
I have create a solid decluttering guide called The Power of 30 specifically to help you accomplish this. Ultimately, this guide provides you with a blueprint to declutter the different spaces in your home. Again, only maxing out at 30 minutes a day.
Decluttering Tip 3: Establish Rules Before You Start
Tip three, establishing decluttering rules before you start, is a powerful tool that can help you make decisions about what to keep and what to let go of while decluttering. These rules can serve as a guide to help you determine which items are truly important and useful to you, and which are not.
One common decluttering rule is to only keep items that you love, use, or need regularly. This can be a simple yet effective way to make decisions about what to keep and what to let go of. By only keeping items that you truly love, use, or need, regularly, you’ll be able to create a clutter-free home that is more functional and enjoyable.
Setting specific parameters for each space you’re tackling is standard and best practice. For example, you can decide that you will only keep a certain number of old college t-shirts in your drawers, or only the amount of books that’ll fit on the shelf. This can help you to be more specific about what you’re keeping and what you’re letting go of, and will make it easier to make decisions during the process of pairing down.
You can also establish rules related to sentimental items. For example, you can decide that you will only keep a certain number of sentimental items or that you will create a memory box to store these items rather than having them scattered around your home. So what the rule could look like is, “I am going to place all my favorite sentimental items in this box (make sure it’s a decent sized box), and whatever does not fit, I am letting go. This way, you’ll be able to keep the sentimental items that are truly important to you without letting them take over your home.
In summary, establishing decluttering rules before you start is an important step in the decluttering process. These rules can serve as a guide to help you determine what items are truly important and useful to you, and which are not. Some common rules are to only keep items that you love, need, or use regularly, set a specific criteria for each category of items and establish rules for sentimental items. By having these rules in place, you’ll be able to declutter more efficiently and effectively and create a clutter-free home.
Decluttering Tip 4: Use Black Trash Bags For Donations
Tip four, placing decluttered items in black trash bags so you can’t see them, is a practical and effective way to keep yourself on track while decluttering. By placing the items you’re getting rid of in black trash bags, you’ll be less likely to go through them again and question your decisions.
One benefit of using black trash bags is that they make it harder to see the items inside. This can help to reduce the temptation to go through them again and reconsider what you’ve decided to let go of. By placing the items in black trash bags, you’ll be able to focus on the task at hand and move on to the next area of your home without getting bogged down.
Another benefit of using black trash bags is that they make it easier to take the items out of your home. Once the bags are filled, you can simply tie them up and take them to the curb for a scheduled pick-up or to a donation center. This can help to avoid the temptation to go through the items again or to keep them in your home longer than necessary.
When decluttering, it’s also important to consider the time frame of getting rid of the items. Once you’ve placed the items in black trash bags, try to take them out of your home as soon as possible. It’s best to take them to a donation center or a recycling center as soon as possible. This way you’ll be able to declutter your home quickly and efficiently.
In summary, placing decluttered items in black trash bags so you can’t see them is an effective way to keep yourself on track while decluttering. The benefits of using black trash bags include that they make it harder to see the items inside, making it easier to move on, and that they make it easier to take the items out of your home. It’s also important to consider the time frame of getting rid of the items, as soon as possible. This way you’ll be able to declutter your home quickly and efficiently and avoid the temptation of going through the items again.
Decluttering Tip 5: Don’t Let Your Donations Linger
Tip five, not letting decluttered items sit around in your home for too long- they should be donated as soon as possible, is an important step in the decluttering process. By taking the items out of your home as soon as possible, you’ll be able to free up space and avoid the temptation to go through them again or to keep them in your home longer than necessary.
One benefit of not letting decluttered items sit around in your home for too long is that it will help you to move on from the decluttering process. When you take the items out of your home quickly, you’ll be less likely to second-guess your decisions and to get bogged down in the decluttering process.
Another benefit of not letting decluttered items sit around in your home for too long is that it will help to free up space in your home. By taking the items out of your home quickly, you’ll be able to create a clutter-free home that is more functional and enjoyable.
When decluttering, it’s important to consider the best options for getting rid of the items. One option is to take them to a donation center or a thrift store. This way, the items will be able to be used and appreciated by someone else, and you’ll be helping others in need. Another option is to take them to a recycling center, this way you’ll be contributing to the environment. In the Power of 30 Guide, I list a host of different donation and recycling centers that you can look into for your donations and recyclables.
In summary, not letting decluttered items sit around in your home for too long is an important step in the decluttering process. By taking the items out of your home as soon as possible, you’ll be able to free up space, move on from the decluttering process, and consider the best options for getting rid of the items, whether it’s by donating or recycling. This way you’ll be able to declutter your home quickly and efficiently and avoid the temptation of going through the items again.
