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Who else is in need of some home decluttering ideas and hacks this Autumn?
If you’re looking around your home and unnecessarily worrying about piles of clothing, boxes and objects, chances are that they’re all things that don’t need to be there.
Over the years, I’m guilty of accumulating a variety of ‘things’ – clothes, shoes, products, decor. You name it. It’s a habit of wanting it at the time, and then not wanting to part ways with it when I no longer use it. I pride myself on my organisational habits and tidiness, but clutter is one of my downfalls.
But I’m determined to change this! Whilst it’s easy for piles to accumulate, it’s also easy to declutter and organise, bringing peace back to your home, office, or bedroom.
If you feel like your space is in need of some TLC, here are 6 decluttering ideas to get you back on track.
Look at your space
Start off by looking at your target space. I don’t mean just looking at it and feeling overwhelmed, but really look at it. Acknowledge what is there and all the things you don’t need.
What makes clutter an issue is how it makes you feel about your space. We all have different ideas of what clutter may look like, so take a good look and think about what you want to achieve.
For some, it might be a few piles here and there. It could be a drawer full of clothes you don’t wear anymore. It could be mounds of paperwork that need filing. For others, it might be so bad that it overtakes the space completely, leaving you to create pathways through the sheer amount of ‘stuff’.
Assess your reality – even if it’s just a want and not a need – and get started on your decluttering.
Make a plan of action
If you dive straight in, you’ll probably become even more overwhelmed and stressed, and avoid finishing it altogether.
Similarly, there have been countless times when I’ve tried to start and have gotten distracted looking at old toys and memories. My advice to you is to not start without making a plan of action beforehand.
Aim to make a simple plan or checklist of the different areas you want to target. That could be grouping it room by room, or different drawers and wardrobes, or certain piles. The idea here is to create a system that will make tackling each section a whole lot easier, and less distracting.
You can also plan a time to do each area, rather than spontaneously sorting through. When you dedicate a certain amount of time to a section, it will give you the clarity and focus to get it done, rather than getting sidetracked by nostalgia.
My favourite method is to make a list – sometimes in my phone’s notes app, and sometimes physically in my trusted Leuchtturm 1917 planner. It’s even more satisfying being able to cross out or tick each section off!
Start small
Now that you’ve made a plan, one of the easiest ways to actually get into it and tackle clutter is to start small. Again, we’re focussed on not becoming overwhelmed with it – so by starting small you know that you’ll be able to achieve more.
You should set realistic expectations about how much you’re going to complete at a time. Do you want to completely clear out a room? Or do you just want to get rid of some clothes that have been sat unworn on a hanger for a while?
Decluttering can even be a type of self care for some! With that in mind, start small and build up the momentum, and don’t stress yourself out more in the process.
Use a system
There are many different organisational systems out there. One I’ve seen is the 12-12-12 method, where you find 12 items to throw, 12 to donate, and 12 to store away properly. I’ve also seen people refer to the 4 box/piles method – grouping items by bin, donate, store or keep.
Whatever system works for you!
But since you’ve landed here looking for decluttering ideas and inspiration, for me, I like to add a fifth aspect into that. Save, store, sell, donate or get rid of completely.
The key thing here is to be ruthless, because if not, you’ll probably end up in the same sort of situation. For example, an area I’m forever decluttering is my wardrobe/drawers. If I don’t wear something, I’ll usually hold onto it in the theory that I ‘might’ wear it one day. It’s highly unlikely that I will – so better to get rid.
So, why add ‘sell’ into the system? In organising my clothing, I often come across items I’ve never or hardly worn. Using apps like Vinted are a great extra source of income, no matter how small.
When you use a system, it becomes so much easier to keep track of what you’re doing. It doesn’t matter how small the piles are, you can see you’re making a difference – as long as everything isn’t in the ‘save’ pile!
Clean your space
Once you have decluttered and organised everything you had set out to do, set a new example by deep cleaning the space.
Clean the counters, dust away the remnants of paperwork left untouched, hoover your newly cleared floors. The fewer items you now have, the easier it is to deep clean and keep it clean.
No matter how often I clean my room, it still feels untidy. That’s why decluttering and cleaning go hand in hand in improving your space.
It definitely doesn’t have to be done all in one day. But you’ll feel so much better when it’s all finished.
Plan for the future
If you want to minimise clutter from building again, you’ll need to have a plan of action for the future too.
One thing I’m going to start implementing is addressing my clothes situation more proactively. I can’t remember where I first saw it, but it’s an incredibly clever idea that I need to start using.
At the start of the year – or after your most recent declutter – turn all your clothes hangers in the right direction. As you wear each item, make sure you turn the hanger in the opposite direction. This way, you can clearly see how often you’re wearing something, and if it hasn’t moved all year, it’s time to get rid!
For you, it could be better organisation – by putting away paperwork once it’s reviewed, or properly storing items as you receive them. In the busyness of life, it’s easier said than done to not slip back into bad habits. Any effort will be appreciated by your future self.
Decluttering can be overwhelming, but with these ideas and hacks, hopefully you’ll find it a bit less stressful!
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