Is your clutter getting you down? Are you preparing to move and trying to figure out what to do with all your stuff? For some, decluttering is an easy task that is swiftly accomplished in a single day. For others, decluttering is a marathon where you stare at those piles until you finally feel motivated to tackle them. If you’re part of the latter group, then you should know that there are some tricks that can help you conquer your clutter once and for all. Here’s what you should know.
Get rid of duplicates
This sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised by how many people hold onto multiples of items “just in case”. Are you one of those people? Then one of the ways you can combat your clutter is to get rid of those duplicates. There’s no good reason to keep several spatulas or brooms or fly swatters…you name it. Keep the best one and donate the rest.
Only keep what fits in a space
If you find it challenging to edit the items in your home, then try this trick. Commit to only keeping what fits in a space. For example, if your bookshelf is overflowing with books, then commit to only keeping the books that will fill the space and getting rid of the rest. This trick can be applied to anything, from dishware to linens.
Set a timer
Do you feel overwhelmed by your clutter? Does it seem like it will take you days, weeks, or months to get on top of it? This can create a serious mental obstacle to getting started. You can deal with this problem by committing to short bursts of work. Set a timer for five minutes and complete whatever you can in that time. When the timer goes off, it’s time to stop. It’s much easier to commit to short bursts, and you’ll be surprised how much you can accomplish over time.
Ask for help
Do you have a non-judgemental friend that could be of assistance? Then don’t be afraid to ask them for help. Having an extra set of hands makes lighter work and it can also provide the motivation you need to get the job done.
Use the one in, one out rule
The one in, one out strategy has been helpful for many people trying to control the number of items they bring into their homes. It’s pretty simple – the idea is that every time you bring something new into your home, you must get rid of something else. This can help you keep clutter from accumulating and also help you become more mindful about what you bring into your home.
Go one room or one space at a time
There are many ways to go about tackling the clutter in your home. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed then it can be useful to go one room or even one space at a time. Start with frequently used areas. And if it feels like too much to do the whole room, then just concentrate on one part of the room, like a shelf or even a drawer.
