Decluttering your home doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. The act of decluttering is simply removing unnecessary items from a crowded area. As organizing expert Barbara Hemphill explains, “clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions”. Even the removal of one item you no longer need is decluttering! Just make the decision to either trash, recycle, donate, sell or put back an item and you will have successfully decluttered.
You can easily declutter your home by focusing on one area at a time for just 15 to 30 minutes. Here’s a guide on how to declutter your home.
To start your decluttering project, simply grab a few baskets, set a timer and get started!
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Supplies needed to declutter your home:
- A timer
- 5 baskets/bins to sort your items:
- Trash
- Recycle (paper, glass, plastic)
- Donate
- Sell (if it’s worth the time and energy- like designer bags and shoes)
- Put back (put back in its original location)
make a plan
Planning out your decluttering projects helps keep you on track and focused. Start by making a list of all of the areas you want to declutter. (Get the FREE decluttering form below.) Next, rank those areas based on how much they bother you. The area causing you the most frustration would be number 1 and the area causing you the least frustration would be the last number on the list.
Spread your decluttering projects out over the course of a week and begin by scheduling project #1 first. Schedule the projects in the order in which you ranked them. Schedule your decluttering in time blocks of 15 to 30 minutes to keep you from getting too overwhelmed. If you cannot finish an area in the allotted time, complete the area on your next scheduled decluttering session. Completely finish one area before starting a new one. Work your way down the list until all areas are decluttered.
Tips for decluttering:
Take your 5 baskets into the area you will be decluttering
Place your 5 baskets in the area you are decluttering so the baskets are easily accessible and allow you to quickly toss the item into the appropriate basket. As you declutter, pull out each item and place it into one of the 5 baskets. If it belongs in the space you are working in, return it back to its location if you are keeping the item.
Ask yourself these questions as you make your decluttering decision about each item:
- Is it expired?
- Have you used the item in the last 6 months? Year?
- Is it no longer useful or too worn out?
- Is it no longer in style?
- Can you easily and cheaply (under $20) replace the item if you toss it out and discover you need one later on?
- As Marie Kondo says, “Does it spark joy?” If does not bring you joy, get rid of it! It may be just what someone else needs. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
Remember- decluttering is not organizing
Decluttering is simply removing unnecessary items from a space. If you have the time and energy to organize the space you are decluttering- go for it! (For organizing tips, check out this blog post). Otherwise, simply return the items that belong in that space back to the area. Schedule another time to actually organize the space. Keep your time and tasks small and manageable!
If you notice that you are CONTINUOUSLY returning an item to its assigned location, then consider relocating that item permanently to the place you keep finding it
For example, if your makeup brushes always land on your bathroom countertop instead of in the vanity drawer, then consider placing a cute container on your countertop to hold your brushes. Place items in a location that flows with your daily habits and routines. It will make tidying-up and decluttering much easier and less time-consuming.
Start decluttering a room or area from the top down
When you first walk into the area, do a quick sweep and place any items that do not belong in that room into the “put back” bin. Next, quickly scan the room for any trash that needs to be discarded. Follow that by quickly cleaning off the countertops, tops of shelves, or tops of dressers. Arrange those items so that they are back in their appropriate spots for that area or if it’s an item you want to get rid of, then place it in the appropriate basket. Then work through any drawers, shelves or lower cabinets and place items into one of your 5 bins. If the item is staying in that specific area you are decluttering, just place the item back in its location.
safely declutter expired or unused medications
Please take precaution when disposing of medications. I encourage you to check with your local pharmacy about the Drug Take Back Program or how to safely dispose of your particular medications. For more information about where and how to dispose of your expired medications, you can read this post by the FDA.
you’ve got this!
Don’t let decluttering overwhelm you. Set your timer for 15, 20 or 30 minutes and work on decluttering one small area at a time. Grab your decluttering baskets and timer, create your decluttering schedule, and you’ll be prepared to easily declutter your home.
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