Cleaning House: How To Declutter In A Big Way
Decluttering has become a big thing in recent years, and even the source of TV entertainment for some. It’s one of those processes that feels like a big effort before you do it, but has immediate benefits once it’s done. However, many of us tend to declutter bit by bit, removing a few things at a time and never, seemingly, getting to the point where it feels like it’s properly done. Below, we’ll go through some tips for how to declutter in one go, and get the results you really want.
Have somewhere to put everything
When you are getting rid of all the clutter in a home, it’s easy to feel put on the spot by how much, or how little, room you have to store all the things you are throwing out. You might take a load to the garbage dump, but repeated trips simply get in the way of internal decluttering work. It’s often better to rent a dumpster for the purposes of containing all of the refuse. You may create a secondary space for things that may go into storage, to goodwill or elsewhere, but make clear that those things will actually go into storage and to goodwill. For the rest of it, a clean break is essential and the only way you’ll truly declutter.
Be immune to nostalgia
We’ve all been in the midst of a clearout and stumbled across something we haven’t seen for a while. It may be an old newspaper, a garment not worn in months or longer, or a photograph. Whatever it is, you may want to look at it or give some thought to what you want to do with it. That’s fine, but not during your decluttering work. The more distracted you are, the longer it will take to complete what can be a long-winded chore. Set anything “nostalgic” to one side, and it can be revisited when you’re finished.
Don’t do it alone
It’s a good idea to have a friend or family member help you out with decluttering. There are several reasons for this. One is that some of the task may involve heavy lifting, as you remove items that take up a lot more space than they merit by their use. Another is that you can keep each other on task by picking up the pace when it begins to lag. Perhaps most importantly, they can act as a sounding board. If you are minded to keep something, you’ll need to justify it to them, and if your reasoning doesn’t pass their test, you should resolve to get rid of it.
A moratorium on new items
The last part of a full-scale declutter is to avoid re-cluttering. Once you have got your house back in order, it should be a rule to not buy anything that takes up excessive space unless there is a particularly good reason to do so. If you have decluttered so you can fit in a new sofa, that’s fine. But if your goal is to increase space in your home, you should implement a one-month moratorium on new goods coming into your house. If a month passes and you still feel you need the item or can justify adding it, then it’s reasonable to bring it in. But in that intervening month, do keep an eye out for anything else that can go to clear more space.
Subarna
February 8, 2022I agree nostalgia is the main cause of all the clutter (atleast for me).
I am trying to overcome it otherwise it getting very difficult to organise the whole lot stuff.
Alita Pacio
February 8, 2022Decluttering is hard to do all alone. It’s good to bring family members too to help you.
Beth Pierce
February 8, 2022I love having something to put everything. You’ll never lose your key again if you designate a place for it.
Leanne
February 8, 2022I can’t agree more with these, especially not trying to do it alone. When your house is full of stuff, it can be so overwhelming to try to do it on your own.
mosaic murals
February 8, 2022Be immune to nostaligia! This struck me hard because you’re absolutely on point. Most of the stuff I keep are because they’re attached to some kind of memory….
Anonymous
February 8, 2022Decluttering is such a tidious job. But once it’s done the feeling is great
Nyxie
February 8, 2022I love decluttering! It’s one of my favourite past times and when I get my husband involved it’s even easier!
Milton Coyne
February 8, 2022I like the idea of being immune to nostalgia during decluttering haha it’s funny yet it is so true and i have experienced that many times… when you came across a valuable item with so much memories to it like photo albums.. gosh it will surely get most of your time and attention when cleaning
Thank you so much for these tips
Fransic verso
February 8, 2022Great tips, it’s good to have someone help you to do it. We always work as team to do it haha. Thank you for sharing!
Marysa
February 8, 2022This is a great approach to decluttering. I have done a lot of this lately. It is true; reduce the nostalgia and save just a handful of items. Otherwise we tend to drown in “stuff”.
sandra
February 8, 2022I really do need to declutter- an 8 person household can gather lots of unnecessary things and can really get out of control quickly. Thanks for the tips!
sambo
February 8, 2022Totally agree with you, especially to do this decluttering with your friends (I would not advise your spouse :). this is because friends will be a better sounding board. If it is your spouse, s/he tends to either agree with you or disagree with you. It is important to detach emotion when you do decluterting.
Ej Requina
February 8, 2022I love cleaning my space , its a way for me to destress and decluttering sure is one of my go to activities. Thanks for these great tips!
Gervin Khan
February 8, 2022I love these tips. It is easier and faster if you have someone with you during decluttering.
Jasmine Martin
February 8, 2022These are some great tips for decluttering. I know it’ll definitely help me out with Spring cleaning for sure.
Ntensibe Edgar
February 9, 2022Hihi….decluttering with someone else is a good idea! If you decided to take it on alone, you just might end up not decluttering at all! Thanks for sharing, Angela!
Christian Foremost
February 9, 2022I would love to throw away everything that in this house, but most of the stuff here are mothers and what she needs is therapy. So yeah, i would really go for a minimalist style when i have my own house.
Tara Pittman
February 10, 2022It is so hard to not reclutter. These are tips that I need to try.
Anne Marie
February 10, 2022After I’ve organized, I definitely rethink future purchases. Definitely don’t want to land in the same situation again!