How to declutter your home in 7 expert steps!
Do you long to discover your inner minimalist and be able to let go of objects and activities that, in the words of Marie Kondo, no longer “spark joy” for you?
If so, these questions may sound familiar:
- Where should I start?
- What are the steps to mindful decluttering and organizing!?
- What should I declutter and organize first?
The most important thing that you can do is to start today!
Don’t fall into the trap of procrastinating because you don’t yet have the perfect tool, plan or strategy. Are you a closet perfectionist like me?
The good news is that you don’t have to follow Marie Kondo’s structured, one-size-fits-all plan, get rid of everything you own and become a monk, or even hire a professional home organizer to declutter!
Wondering how it would save you time and stress to hire a professional organizer? Check out Why Work With a Professional Organizer? to guide your decision.
And there is a way to declutter your home or office without succumbing to stress and overwhelm – mindful decluttering! In over 19 years of supporting hundreds of clients in mindfully decluttering their spaces, one thing is crystal clear! Each and every person’s situation requires a slightly different approach.
Step 1: Center Yourself Before You Begin
Take time to reflect and center in order to be clear on your goals. How do you want to feel? What do you want your space to look like?
You might meditate, journal, brainstorm or talk with a friend to gain clarity on your goals. If others in your household will be using the space, be sure to invite their suggestions and include their wants and needs.
You can also reflect on how long you plan to work during this session and set a timer!
Step 2: Sort Your Stuff
Find bags, containers or boxes that you have on hand and label them using sticky notes, masking tape, sharpie or whatever you have on hand. Labels such as Keep, Donate and Relocate come in handy to keep everything organized while sorting. The relocate container is for things that don’t belong in this room.
Pro tip: Put things that need to go other places in the home into the relocation container rather than running from room to room and eating up your time and energy to complete the task at hand!
- Begin by sorting into logical categories based on your needs and goals. Whatever categories make sense to you are fine.
- Keep it simple and don’t overthink it. This is your chance to get into action.
- Organize like a kindergartner and make decluttering and organizing fun! Sorting will help you to see how much you have of any given category of things and will make decluttering go faster.
- Ask yourself this question for each category: “What action can I take right now that will simplify my life?”
Your answer will vary from category to category: Some categories may offer a clear answer such as “just get it organized” or “let it go!” REMEMBER! There are no wrong answers!
Step 3: Declutter Your Stuff
Ask these three guiding questions to decide what to keep:
- Do I love it?
- Do I use it?
- Do I have a better one?
If the answer to these questions is “no,” it’s time to let the item go. This will free up your energy and give you more mental as well as physical space.
I won’t lie to you. This is where it starts to get hard. The brutal truth about decluttering is that it takes time and commitment on your part.
If you have done your best and feel like your progress is just too slow or that you are not able to make the time to make consistent progress, there is no better time to get expert professional support than now. Get the jump start you deserve. 🙂
Step 4: Organize Your Way!
Don’t get stuck in limited ways or thinking. Reflect on where you use each of your items, which may be different from anyone else. You might choose to keep the sheets for each bed in the room where they are used in order to free up space in the “linen closet” for other items. You might use the top of a bedroom closet as storage space for old taxes in order to free up space in your home office. Feel free to think outside of the box!
Step 5: “Containerize” Your Stuff
Choose containers for organizing your belongings after you have sorted and decluttered. Many people make the mistake of buying containers first, before knowing what and how much they have to store.
Decide how many bows, hair ribbons, rubber bands or twist ties you really want to keep and use the container to remind you when you have enough (when the container is full, it’s time to declutter your collection).
There may be no need to spend money on new containers. Go easy on your budget by repurposing what you have! Use boxes, ball jars, Tupperware, and baskets that are already in your home.
Repurpose before buying new containers. It can actually be a lot of fun to look for unusual ways to repurpose household items!
If you do need containers, you may find some budget items at the thrift store or at a yard sale. Of course if you are short on time and don’t enjoy thrifting, there is always the Container Store or Amazon. Just be sure to choose your containers after you have completed your editing and sorting!
Step 6: Label Your Containers
No, you don’t need to go out and buy a label maker! Use masking tape, sticky notes or any budget-friendly tools you already have on hand to label your containers. This not only helps you to maintain your new systems, but helps others in the household to do the same. If pretty labels make you smile, treat yourself to some! I like the old-fashioned feel of reusable chalkboard labels.
Step 7: Support Your New Habits
Habits change consciously and with time, especially when you approach new habits mindfully. Be patient and gentle with yourself as you adapt to your new decluttering and organizing habits!
It helps to keep the new habits you are developing in your consciousness in order to jump start your new systems and keep them working.
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