Many of us are guilty of hanging onto items we no longer use. We know that we need to declutter but it can be overwhelming and hard to know where to start. Thankfully decluttering your space doesn’t need to be a daunting task. With the right approach, you can clear out the clutter and create a calm, organised environment that invites peace and clarity into your home.
These tips will help you declutter with ease, efficiency, and confidence.
Where to Start: Take it One Step at a Time
Trying to declutter your entire home in one go would be overwhelming even to a professional organiser. Instead, I recommend focusing on just one area of your home, whether that’s a wardrobe, a kitchen cupboard, or even a single drawer. By tackling smaller spaces, you’ll gain a sense of accomplishment and momentum. Celebrate your wins and if you feel like doing more, go for it, it not, you can still pat yourself on the back for decluttering one space.
As you work through your items, it can be helpful to sort items into on of these 3 categories:
- Keep – things that you need (boring but practical) or that you truly love.
- Donate/Sell – items that are in good condition but you no longer use. These things no longer serve a purpose in your life but can be useful or bring joy to others.
- Discard – broken or unusable items that can’t be fixed.
Pro Tip: I work with a $10 limit. If I think I can get $10 for it I sell it (photograph it straight away and post it on marketplace that day). If you don't think you will get $10 for it, then donate it. Your time is important so make sure that there is value. If I'm not getting at least $10 I'm not dealing with all of those 'Is this available?" messages.
How to Let Go: A Mental Shift
If your not sure whether to get rid of something consider the following: have used it in the past six months, does it work, does it make you happy. A simple way to put this, it to ask yourself: Is this item truly adding value to my life? If the answer is no, it’s time to take a deep breath and donate or discard it.
Decluttering is a muscle so work your way up to more sentimental items. Try starting with things that you feel less connected to, like old kitchen appliance (when did you last use that fairy floss machine), the stationary drawer (how many pairs of scissor do you really need) or knickknacks (Do you want to keep dusting that Statue of Liberty model).
I know letting go of things can be tough, believe me I've struggle with it is the past. Something that helps me is to remember that while we often attach memories to items, it is not the item that holds a memory, you do. Letting go of the tacky dolphin statue you bought on a tropical holiday won't diminish the great time you had or the fabulous memories you made. Instead, letting go of excess items is actually giving you space to enjoy your life more and make more amazing memories. Remember, letting go doesn’t mean you’re forgetting or losing the memory, it simply means you’re allowing yourself to move forward, both physically and mentally.
Pro Tip: If an item has sentimental value, take a photo of it instead. That way, you can preserve the memory without taking up physical space.
Managing the Process: Set Boundaries and Stay Organised
Decluttering can quickly become overwhelming if you don’t have a plan. To avoid being overwhelmed and avoiding the job, I break it down into smaller bite sized chunks. Aim to declutter for a maximum of 30-minutes at a time. It can be great to set a goal to declutter every day, even just 10 minutes. By breaking up a big task into small manageable pieces you are less likely to get overwhelmed so it will be easier to stay motivated.
Decluttering is a Habit, Not a One-Off
Decluttering is not a one and done job, it's a continual process. Over time objects have a habit of creeping back into our homes so it is a good idea to make it a habit of regularly assessing your belongings. Every few months, take time to go through your things and let go of anything that no longer serves you.
The goal is to create a space that supports your lifestyle. By maintaining your decluttered environment, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed by a growing pile of things you no longer need.
I have a donate rub in my garage. Whenever I decide to donate something I pop it is the tub and then when it is full I drop it off at my local Vinnies. It makes the process almost automatic and is super easy to maintain.
Placeful Home Starts With Letting Go
Decluttering isn’t just about creating a tidy home, it’s about creating space for the things that matter most. An organised home promotes a sense of calm, reduces stress, and opens up space and time for you to spend on what matters most. It’s about surrounding yourself with the things that bring you joy, and saying goodbye to the rest.
By following these simple tips for decluttering and letting go, you’ll be able to create an environment that’s organised, serene, and ready to support your wellbeing.