I Need to Declutter, But Where Do I Start?

I Need to Declutter, But Where Do I Start? 

Every day, we are bombarded by TV commercials, email ads, flyers in the mailbox, and social media influencers telling us we need MORE. The next best thing. The newest trend. The neatest new gadget.  After a while, we may start to feel buried by the amount of stuff in our homes. When you look around your home, how does it make you feel? Do you feel calm, relaxed and at peace?  Or do you feel stressed, anxious and overwhelmed?  If your home no longer feels like the sanctuary it should be, it is probably a sign that it is time to declutter.  And what better time than now? As the long days of winter are coming to an end, it is a great time to take a look around your home and envision what you want it to be and how you want it to feel.  Spring signifies new beginnings, and that could be exactly what your home needs! 

Where do I Start? 

When you feel overwhelmed, it can be hard to know where to start.  But fear not! We’ve gathered our top tips below to help you declutter your home this spring.  Most of us want to start by tackling the largest project first. We often think, “If I can get through this one thing, the rest will be smooth sailing!” However, that’s never how it goes. When tackling large projects first, it can be easy to give up. When you pour hours of your time into decluttering an area, and it doesn’t look any different (or maybe even looks worse) than when you started, it is easy to get discouraged and give up.

Small & Simple 

Start with the small, simple tasks first and build your way up. 

• Take out any garbage and recycle empty boxes and containers before you start and also as you go, instead of letting it pile up. 
• Gather loose piles of papers – organize, shred and file what you need to keep. 
• Pick one cupboard or drawer. Finish organizing and cleaning one small space before moving on to another. 
• Plan breaks and set timers! Make sure you plan breaks between tasks so you don’t end up exhausted. 

Create a Checklist 

Think of all the areas in your home you would like to organize and jot them down in a list. For large areas, break them up into smaller categories. For example, starting with one closet or dresser, rather than trying to tackle the entire room at once, is easier and less overwhelming.  Once you have your checklist done, you will see what the smaller and larger tasks are, and you can plan accordingly. If you only have 15 minutes one day, you may want to use that to organize and declutter your junk drawer. But if you have 2 hours, you could use that for a bigger task, like your pantry. 

Block Time 

To help you stay on track, block out your time. Look at your calendar and jot down how much time you can dedicate each day to decluttering. It could be as little as 15 minutes, but 15 minutes is better than nothing!  Unless you have magical powers like Sabrina or Matilda or great speed like the Flash, decluttering your home will take longer than one day. Remember, it’s not a sprint, but a marathon. Going slow and steady will give you much better results. 

You’re Not Alone 

While some people love to work on projects alone, some don’t. And some may just need a little help here and there. That’s where we come in. If you’re feeling like the job is just too big for you to take on, or you just want someone by your side to guide you through this process – we’ve got you! We are professional organizers with years of experience decluttering, and we would be so happy to help you. Contact us for your free phone consultation, and let us bring harmony to your home!