Our living space can get so, well, cluttered. Stuff just has a habit of gradually accumulating. And before we know it, our stuff has taken over. Not only does it then become harder to move around our space, it affects our state of mind and motivation. Time to declutter!
Easier said than done, I know. I have to be vigilant that things don’t pile up around me, especially when I get too busy. The first sign I get that I’m not keeping up with the clutter is when I start feeling fuzzy-brained and sluggish. And stressed.
Room to Think
But after I get physically organized, a kind of mental clearout happens at the same time. Almost like magic, organized space triggers new ideas, new inspiration. I can think better because there’s more room to think.
The trick is to keep on top of all your stuff. You don’t want to wake up one day to discover your house is just a lot of stuff with a cover on it! That’s how comedian George Carlin saw it in his classic routine about stuff.
When it comes to cutting clutter there’s no better time than now to declutter your home. And remember: being organized is a process, not just a matter of getting organized. So let’s get started.
Reasons to Clear the Clutter
Everyone has different reasons for conquering the clutter but these three stand out for me:
• Reduces stress. Clutter has a nasty way of distracting us from where our focus should be. It’s always there, a constant reminder that it needs to be cleared. Consequently, that can lead to an ongoing source of stress until action is taken. Decluttering frees you from that syndrome.
• Saves time. Have you ever had trouble finding something that you discovered was buried under a pile of stuff? Out of sight, out of mind, as they say. When you declutter your home, you locate things quicker. More importantly, it gives you more time to do the things that really matter.
• Saves money. With less stuff, you can save money on things like storage costs. No more renting space to store your extra stuff. Devising a filing system to keep all your bills in order can also help ensure they get paid on time.
Decluttering your home with organizational expert Peter Walsh
How to Declutter Your Home
The following are some basic steps you can take to declutter your home and control clutter in your life. Want to share your tips? Add them in the comments section of this post where they’ll also benefit other readers.
1. Start small. Clutter really becomes a problem as it grows. That is to say, the larger the challenge the more overwhelming it can be. Therefore, the important thing is to just start. So start with something you can easily tackle and you might be surprised how the results motivate you to do even more.
2. Set a schedule. To reinforce your momentum, set up a daily schedule and spend 5-15 minutes a day clearing up clutter. Like any new habit it takes time to work it into your regular routine, but as it gets more familiar you’ll find it can become almost second nature.
3. Store it smartly. Like they say, a place for everything and everything in its place. Practice this simple technique and it can go a long way toward keeping your stuff organized and accessible. Remember, just return an item to where you store it after use.
4. Shed your stuff. If it’s not necessary, get rid of it. If you have multiples of something – likely because they were ‘lost’ in all your stuff – sell them on eBay or Kijiji. Hold a yard sale. Recycle old magazines and borrow books and DVDs from your library. Rent specialty tools. Give away anything you can't use.
5. Stifle the urge. Acquiring more stuff can be insidious. There’s so many shiny, new things out there to buy that, before you know it, they can take over your life. So ask yourself first: Do I really need this? What value will it bring? In addition, do I have room for more stuff?
A Worthy Decision
Declutter your home and live life with less stress, more time, and (potentially) more money. Isn’t that a resolution worth making?
You Might Also Like These
• Conquer Clutter in a Month (infographic)
• Top 10 Resources and Inspirations For Decluttering Your Home
• Why We Need To Live With Less (infographic)
• Top 5 Decluttering Tips to Keep Your Workspace Organized
• 6 Highly Effective Habits You Need for Simple Living
• My Big List of Health and Wellness Resources
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