Tips on Decluttering
– Have a spot where donations go and constantly add to it. Invite your family members to do the same.
– If I trip over something a few times, because let's be honest, if it's on the floor and you wouldn’t replace it if you lost it, get rid of it because you don't need it or really want it.
– The clutter will return, just accept this and know it’s not because you’re doing a bad job. Set your resolve to continue battling it. It will get easier and easier.
– I don’t need multiples of most things – keep what I love more/what works better. I don’t need to keep backups of most things “just in case.” Because I usually end up forgetting I have the backup and go out and buy a replacement anyway!
– When I feel overwhelmed with the stuff on the floor – I gather it all and put it in one spot and get rid of half of it. I use the concept of “Would I replace this if I lost it?” to help me decide. It’s a quick and effective way to cut the clutter that is usually accumulating in visible spots.
– Clear surfaces make everything look better – floors, counters, anything flat.
– When getting rid of things to donate, put it in a box that I don’t have to open again. If I see it or go through it, I might (totally will) grab a few items back out and keep them.
– Think of all purchases as future clutter. Am I a buzzkill? Sorry. But it helps me to combat wanting to chase the retail therapy high!
– I can’t change the habits of the people I live with, I can only set an example.
–The more I do it, the better I become at it – I notice what I’m using and what I’m not and can free myself of the things I’m not finding useful. If I have 10 towels, but I find that I only use the top three towels over and over and the bottom seven towels just sit there month after month, I can probably get rid of those towels! Same with kitchen utensils, makeup, clothes, and so on.
– Speaking of clothes, the most effective way I’ve found to help declutter clothes is to do laundry once a week and take a look at how much is left in the closet on laundry day. If there are still, say, 10 pairs of pants, we have more than we need.
– Invite people over – it will help keep your home neat! :)
Sometimes I feel like a bit of a decluttering fanatic, but nothing has made a big an impact with minimal effort in the happiness of our home. It’s amazing how the simple act of getting rid of stuff can transform a space, make us feel lighter and happier, and help us to enjoy what we have more.
*Found from article on blog Our Little Apartment.
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