Tips to organize and Declutter Your Home

Some of us dream of a day when we have balance, order, and cleanliness in our homes. It is something that is completely achievable, but challenging to accomplish. Organizing your home is often a task we put off due to the amount of time and physical effort it requires, the combination of family, pets, and work makes it so difficult to stay on track - not to mention all of the decision-making it involves. We get it! Decluttering or organizing space can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With a few helpful hints and a mindful approach you will be well on your way to a clutter-free (stress-free!) home.

What Areas Need Attention

First things first…. Take a walk around your home and take note of what areas and rooms need attention. Take note of what areas annoy you, overwhelm you, or make you cringe! Also, take note of what spaces make you happy, these are the areas that you will want to emulate. Some rooms will only have a few things that need work and some rooms will have more, Sometimes when you live in a space you lose the ability to see the clutter, if you are having trouble seeing the clutter, take a picture!

Set Decluttering Goals

Now that you have walked around your space, determine what your goals for your home and spaces are. Goals can be as simple a what room you want to start with and how long you want to spend on it. Share your goals with a family member or friend, this will help keep you accountable, and help you reach your goals more quickly.

Set a Timer

Start off slowly, this task doesn’t have to be accomplished all in one day! Pick a time of the day when you have the most energy and put your plan into action. Set a timer. This will help you stay focused on your goals and will also allow you to stop before you become overwhelmed. Getting started is always the hardest part and the first few minutes are the hardest, but once you get started you may be surprised at what you can accomplish in a short period of time.

Keep a Box For Donations

One handy trick is to always have a donation box on hand. It doesn't have to be out in the open, but tucked away in a closet, preferably one that you have easy access to. Having a box close at hand will help to make day-to-day decluttering easier, for example; when you are putting laundry away and see a shirt that you no longer want, toss it in the box instead of keeping it in the closet, this will cut down on the clutter that you would have to deal with on another day. It is also a great way to encourage everyone in the family to make decisions on items that are no longer wanted or needed.

Maintain Your Clutter Free Space

Once you have your home clutter-free make sure to continue with the little day-to-day decluttering. Deal with clutter as it comes through the door, from junk mail to trash from the car, simply take care of it before it lands on your counter!