Is it time to declutter your home? Our easy decluttering tips will help you get the clutter out of your house, and restore a sense of order in your life.
Why and How to Declutter Your Home
Take a good look around. What do you see? A clean, well-organized space, with everything in its place, or a messy environment, overflowing with unused items? If you’re like most people, you probably live in a cluttered home, whose available space is taken up by knick-knacks, old clothing and other disused products.
It’s time for a bit of soul-searching. Ask yourself, and answer honestly, how many personal belongings you actually need. What holds real value, and contributes to your quality of life – and what simply consumes space? To declutter your home may seem a daunting task, but by following the five simple steps below, you’ll be well on your way.
- Take stock of the clutter
How much surrounds you – and is it all in its own place, or haphazardly spread around your home? Of course, some items are essential. Disregard those (as well as any cherished objects which may otherwise hold no practical value), and focus on what you haven’t used in months or years. - How attached are you?
Realizing that you are not the objects you own, and that an attachment to clutter is an impediment to progress, can be liberating. The kitchen cupboard is a great place to start. How about those mugs or plates which have sat, unused and gathering dust, for years? You’re much less likely to have a strong emotional attachment to old dishes than, for example, a special gift given to you by someone you care about. Decluttering your home isn’t easy, but understanding the emotional importance of objects is a good first step. - Ask yourself what you can afford to keep
See, stuff – the very same stuff that contributes to a cluttered home – doesn’t just cost money to buy. It also costs money to maintain. And much like a renter living in a spare room, your belongings take up valuable square footage. Tabulate the initial purchase price of each item, the cost of upkeep (for example, washing and repairing clothes), and determine the value of a square foot in your home, adding the cost of that space taken up by a given item. Can you justify the real expense of everything you own – or is it time to declutter and let some things go? - Consider what compels you to shop
Advertisers are masters of manipulation, able to convince you that life is incomplete without the constant purchase and consumption of products. And even those of us immune to advertising sometimes fall prey to making impulsive purchases, whether online or in-store. Decluttering your home starts with preventing clutter, and understanding how often, and for what reasons, you buy items, is key to breaking the cycle of needless consumption. If you find it difficult to avoid impulse buying, change your habits – only go into stores when you need to (for example, to purchase groceries), and don’t linger longer than necessary. - Transform your household clutter into money!
Your trash is another’s treasure – decluttering your home is a great way to make some extra cash. From garage and sidewalk sales, to eBay, USA Free Ads, and local classified listings such as Kijiji and Craigslist, opportunities to sell your unwanted items abound. To maximize your chances of a successful sale, ensure that items are clean, in good condition – and if being posted online, clearly photographed and described. The easier it is for others to buy from you, the faster you can declutter your home.
More isn’t always better. Prioritize and declutter your belongings, put everything in its own place, and turn your cluttered home into a clean, welcoming environment.
