Enough already! Steps to start decluttering your home
by Kerri Rodley
The first step is that you have to want to change – not someone else in your family or friends. If you are happy with the way you are and it is not affecting anyone else so be it. However, if your clutter is causing problems within the family or your lifestyle and you want to get rid of it, a decision must be made.
Why did it happen?
How did you get to point? Was it the death of a family member and you inherited their belongings? Are you time poor and just don’t “get around to it”? Do you not like to throw things away such as children’s artwork or things you think you may need “one day”? If the situation doesn’t change, no amount of decluttering/organising will help.
Assess – and make a mess.
Sorry to say it, but to declutter you first need to make more clutter. The space you are working on needs to be stripped – everything taken out, then given a good clean before items are put back. So where does it all go? Assign a spot in the house that you can spread all the items out to be sorted and purged.
Sort – putting “like” with “like”
When items are removed from the space, make piles. Firstly a keep pile, a donate/sell pile and a garbage pile. Then start putting the same categories of items together ie stationery, books, shoes etc. This makes it easier to see how many of each category you have (and no one needs 3 staplers.)
Purge.
It’s time to let go. Ask yourself 3 questions:
- Do you love it?
- Do you need it?
- Is it useful?
If you can’t answer yes to one of these questions out it goes. Only the “yes” items are returned to the space. Note: This process becomes quite time consuming when there are emotional ties to items such as children’s clothing, sentimental items, gifts etc.
Storage – what is your organising style?
When it comes to organising and storage you must take into consideration what type of organiser you are. Do you like things “out of sight and out of mind” behind cupboard doors, or do you like to see things in clear plastic boxes and on shelves otherwise you forget about them? This determines what storage items to buy and how you will design the room. Note: first use containers you may already have around the house before you spend $$ on more.
Maintain – just 5 minutes a day
Now that you have decluttered and organised you must keep up the good work. Five minutes a day to put things away is all it takes. Make sure all the family pitch in and do their share.
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Kerri believes in living a life full of joy, gratitude, and free of judgement. She focusses on helping individuals and groups better connect to themselves, their families, their homes and their community. She offers a variety of consultation services, classes and workshops, to help clients realise their own potential, work productively and achieve healthier minds and lives.
