The easiest way to declutter

In a world where we are constantly buying, replacing, gifting, surprising, and expressing love through the beautiful act of giving, leaving people with more items than they know what to do, the result is a chaotic pile of things not needed by the ones who possess them. The art of decluttering goes way beyond simple tidiness, it is a satisfying process that transforms chaos into calm, bringing physical, environmental, and mental significance. This post runs through the process of achieving the beautiful art of decluttering, detailing the how and why.

1. The Power Of Decluttering

Decluttering is an art because when it is being performed, the pleasing result is always in full vision; when done, it is always satisfying to the eyes. It requires a great deal of self-control to commence the art of decluttering, and taking back control of your cluttered life.

A decluttered space rarely gives rest of mind, it often gives anxiety to the person/s in it, a constant overwhelming feeling, a desperate need to get back the sense of calm and orderliness.

This is why people who exist in a cluttered space are always slumping into the pile of clothes in exhaustion or helplessness, leaving them with the need to fix it, to take charge and to feel better again. This is the main reason why people found to exist in clutter comfortably, are always examined psychologically to get to the root of the matter and know why they don’t succumb to the constant urge to declutter their space.

2. Emotional Attachment to Clutter

People are often surrounded by items that hold memories and remind them of a loved one who either walked away or no longer exists, events from better days, or a happy time in their lives.

Some people feel comforted by these items even when they are growing out of control. For this reason, there is an immediate rejection of decluttering, because while it is a simple art of getting rid of mess or unneeded items, to them it is a forced detachment from their comfort zone, from the memories that keep them going, a reality that a person is dead and gone.

This is often the psychology behind our clutters, which is why you don’t force decluttering on people, rather you convince them to permit the process by letting them know that the physical items are harming them and that the feeling they have will always remain with them without the clutter. Assist them to release the items and never the memories, because their loved ones will never leave their side.

3. Joining the Current Minimalist Mindset

In the era of YouTube videos, television and reality programs like the ‘Kardashians‘, the idea of joining the minimalist lifestyle, has garnered more attention, a lifestyle which emphasizes ‘Simplicity‘, while showing that the wealthy people in our society are having less and less property to show off.

The typical human mind longs to be in groups of the haves and have-nots, so making them believe that broke people have more items in their space than the rich ones, will help people decide to be minimalists, as the intent is not just about less, but having items that matter and that are luxury.

A minimalist lifestyle pushes for intentional living, where every chosen item is valuable and worthy of a space in your living space, as this is a mindset.

4. The Process of Decluttering

The secret to decluttering is to start small, taking it one item at a time, and one area at a time to avoid being overwhelmed and quitting halfway. This means handling one drawer, closet, corner, room or apartment at a time.

Avoid doing more than one at a time to maintain your interest, making it manageable. Designate a place for everything mentally before you start, as this will enable you to sort everything into groups. This involves deciding on what to discard, donate and deem fit to stay.

Like I said in other posts, make these decisions based on how often you use these items, and how much they mean to you. This can even be taken a step higher, by only keeping the items that spark joy in the owner. If you genuinely smile when you try on an item, then you have to keep it, according to the KonMari Method which garnered attention through Marie Kondo.

The second rule is the 20/20 rule, which urges individuals to let go of items if they can either replace them within 20 minutes or for less than $20. This is a realistic decluttering technique which makes some form of sense, doesn’t it?

6. Mindul Purchases And Consumption:

Decluttering is not just about getting items out of your living space, it also involves being conscious of the items you convert into yours, through transactional means, and then through consumption. D

ecluttering is not just a one-off event and you go right back to your unbothered life. It is an actual way of life, with mindful consumption, with each item being evaluated to see if it fits into your chosen values, before purchase. Prioritizing quality over quantity, analysing how the item was made, its ingredients, and its life cycle. This includes your digital life, from the irrelevant files, folders and apps being deleted, to decluttering your email by typing a significant mail source in the search box and deleting them.

8. Teach Yourself To Let Go:

In life, one good skill to arm yourself will be to learn to let go. Let go of people, conversations, and items that are no longer beneficial to you and enhance your physical and mental well-being. Keeping things in your space just because it was expensive, is not a good reason to keep things. If a purchase is a bad buy, then it is a bad buy and keeping it will not make you feel better. Letting go is a good skill and should be practised as often as possible.

9. Concentrate On The Creative Space Decluttering Brings:

Decluttering brings beauty, orderliness and most of all, a good space for more activities to you. Sure the available space could be aesthetically pleasing, but is it also functional? Arrange large items in a way that eases movement flow.

10. Align with Sustainability:

Decluttering can align with sustainability, so when you are making your living space more comfortable, you are not making someone else’s or the environment uncomfortable for others.

So consider the environmental impact of your decisions, from choosing to donate items rather than discard them. When possible, always explore the circular rather than the linear economy of items before purchase. Confirm that items can be recycled instead of being thrown into landfills, which harm the environment.

11. Consider Decluttering As A Form Of Self Care:

To ensure that you are in a constant decluttering mood, consider attaching your mental wellness to decluttering. When you have a clean space, you have happy thoughts, and vice versa. Schedule your regular decluttering routine on days when you have enough time to do them. This improves your mind, keeps you happy, and busy, and makes you appreciate the result, helping you foster a healthy relationship with your environment.

Finally, decluttering is a beautiful process that surpasses simple surface-level cleaning, it is about taking back control of your space from being consumed by clutter for your physical and mental wellbeing. Decluttering is also not just about getting rid of things, but choosing to keep the items with meaning and value, which helps you meet your sustainability commitment, honouring your mind with clarity for creativity and intelligence.

Decluttering Tips

The impact of decluttering on your physical and mental well-being can never be overemphasized. Let’s explore the most effective ways to declutter different aspects of your life, starting with the basics and moving towards specific areas. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need a little push, this guide will help you create a serene, organized environment.

What Can You Declutter?

1. Clothes: Sort through your wardrobe and donate or discard items you no longer wear.
2. Books: Keep your favourites and donate the rest.
3. Papers: Digitize important documents and recycle old ones.
4. Toys: Donate toys your children have outgrown.
5. Kitchenware: Get rid of duplicate items and gadgets you never use.
6. Decor: Simplify your home by keeping only meaningful decor items.

How to Declutter Your Home

1. Start Small: Begin with one room or even one drawer to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
2. Sort Items: Use the “Keep, Donate, Trash” method to categorize your belongings.
3. Set Goals: Decide how much time you’ll spend each day or week on decluttering.
4. Use Storage Solutions: Invest in storage bins, shelves, and organizers.
5. Regular Maintenance: Schedule regular decluttering sessions to prevent buildup.

How to Declutter Clothes

1. Seasonal Switch: Store off-season clothes to free up space.
2. One-Year Rule: If you haven’t worn it in a year, consider letting it go.
3. Quality Over Quantity: Keep high-quality pieces that you love and wear often.
4. Donate: Give clothes in good condition to charity.

How to Declutter Your Room

1. Clear Surfaces: Start with nightstands, desks, and dressers.
2. Organize Closets: Use bins and shelves to keep items neat.
3. Remove Unused Furniture: Create more space by getting rid of extra pieces.

How to Start Decluttering

1. Make a Plan: Outline which areas to tackle first.
2. Set a Timer: Work in short, focused bursts to avoid burnout.
3. Get Help: Enlist family or friends for support and motivation.

How to Declutter Your Mind

1. Practice Mindfulness: Meditation and mindfulness can help clear mental clutter.
2. Write It Down: Journaling can help organize your thoughts.
3. Prioritize Tasks: Focus on what’s most important and let go of the rest.

What to Get Rid of During Decluttering

1. Broken Items: If it’s not worth fixing, let it go.
2. Expired Products: Check expiration dates on food, makeup, and medications.
3. Duplicates: Keep only what you need.

What to Declutter First

1. High-Traffic Areas: Start with spaces you use daily, like the kitchen or living room.
2. Easiest Tasks: Begin with simple tasks to build momentum.

Decluttering When Moving

1. Downsize: Take only what you need and love to your new home.
2. Sort Early: Start sorting and packing well before your move date.
3. Label Boxes: Clearly label boxes to make unpacking easier.

Decluttering When Overwhelmed

1. Take Breaks: Rest when needed to avoid exhaustion.
2. Set Small Goals: Break the task into manageable steps.
3. Seek Support: Professional organizers can provide guidance.

Decluttering When Depressed

1. Gentle Approach: Be kind to yourself and take it one step at a time.
2. Celebrate Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate small achievements.

Why You Should Declutter

1. Reduces Stress: A tidy space can lower stress levels.
2. Increases Productivity: Less clutter leads to better focus.
3. Improves Mood: An organized environment can enhance your mood.

Why Can’t I Declutter?

1. Sentimental Value: It’s hard to part with items with emotional attachments.
2. Fear of Regret: Worrying you might need something later.
3. Overwhelm: The sheer amount of stuff can be daunting.

Declutter and Clean

1. Double Duty: Clean as you declutter for a more thorough result.
2. Use Multi-purpose Cleaners: Simplify the cleaning process.

Declutter and Organize

1. Create Systems: Use bins, labels, and shelves for organization.
2. Stay Consistent: Regular maintenance is key.

Declutter and Minimalism

1. Less is More: Focus on quality over quantity.
2. Mindful Purchases: Buy only what you truly need and love.

Declutter Clothes

1. Capsule Wardrobe: Consider creating a minimalist wardrobe.
2. Rotate Seasonally: Store off-season items to free up space.

Declutter Kitchen in the UK

1. Pantry Purge: Regularly go through pantry items to avoid expired food.
2. Streamline Gadgets: Keep only the kitchen gadgets you use regularly.