5 Steps to Easily Declutter Your Home and Life

 

For many, the hardest part of decluttering is the emotional process of getting rid of stuff. However, it can also be logistically challenging, especially if you have a lot more stuff than you thought. It can also be difficult to maintain your home in its decluttered state for very long. Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to make the whole process a lot easier.

 

Come Up with Your Own Plan

 

As decluttering has become more of a trend, many people are turning to strategies by decluttering experts, including Marie Kondo’s popular KonMari method, to guide them through the process. In fact, many people even resort to hiring a professional declutterer. This can be highly effective and useful, but it’s not exactly cheap: According to Fast Company, many people will pay $75 per hour for a professional organizer to visit their home.  

 

If you feel you need help or the support of a structured plan, go for it. However, the truth is that designing your own plan can be even better. You can create your own categories, schedules, and goals that align with your needs and the stuff inside your house. It’s important to have a strategy — but you get to decide what that is.

 

Get the Whole Family Involved

 

Decluttering becomes a lot less of a chore if you’re not the only one doing it. Making it a family activity is not only a fun way to bond over memories together, but it also ensures that everyone gets a say in what stays and what goes. And yes, it is possible to declutter with kids. It’s a good idea to start without them, getting rid of broken toys or anything that doesn’t have a proper place. Then, bring them in and let them make their own choices, making sure to explain that other kids can enjoy the stuff they don’t use anymore.

 

Have a Solid Plan for Where Things Are Going

 

So, you’ve sorted through your stuff and you now have a huge pile of bags and boxes ready to be donated, sold, or taken to a landfill. If you don’t want that pile to sit there for weeks, you need a concrete plan for each category.

 

?      Know exactly which charities you are donating to. Remember to ensure that any charities you choose are well-rated.

?      Look up where your closest recycling center is.

?      Figure out where and how you want to sell.

 

Become a Master of Organization

 

Decluttering frees up loads of space in your closets, but then it’s up to you to keep those closets organized and clean. Learning some organization hacks and strategies will not only help your home look nice post-declutter, but it will also help you with the long-term management of the household. This complete guide by Home Advisor has great tips for each room in the house, so you can optimize every single part of your home.

 

Make a Cleaning Schedule You Can Stick To

 

Learning to organize keeps things tidy, but you also need to keep things clean. A big declutter is a great chance to reset your cleaning schedule. For example, you can adopt a weekly schedule that splits the cleaning tasks throughout the week. This means you do a little bit each day and the house stays clean and tidy. Don’t hesitate to split this schedule among your family.

 

Decluttering may feel like a big task, but it can actually be extremely fun and liberating. The process itself is a great chance to look through your memories and figure out what is important to you. Then, in the long run, you will find that it’s simply easier to live in and manage a household that has been streamlined. Stay organized, have a plan, and go for it.