Happy Monday, I hope you had an awesome weekend and most importantly you took some time for yourself.
This weekend was “Operation Declutter in Full Effect” in my household.
I was on a mission to help my girls (9 and 8 years old) organize their room and put a system in place that works for them to stay organized. I am excited because their room looks like a room again!
But I am far from done we moved over the summer and have barely no storage space, but there is still more to do, but I am excited because I can see the results and I know all my hard work is not in vain.
I started on this mission because I realized my business was stating feel overwhelmed there were things and programs I wanted to launch but I couldn’t because my focus was on the millions of things that needed be done and my focus was on ministry so everything else took the backseat, especially when I started back working outside the home.
So this month for me is all about de-cluttering my life.
So what is decluttering?
The expression “decluttering” has been a catch phrase for many of years. There are many who believe it is just simply organizing and cleaning your home, but if you have caught any of the television shows about hoarding and cleaning, then you know it can be much bigger than just that. So what is decluttering all about?
The World English Dictionary defines decluttering as the act of getting rid of mess and disorder. This is generally a two-step process:
1. Get rid of the current clutter you have in your home.
2. Avoid letting additional clutter into your home.
You may have also heard the old saying, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” For those struggling with clutter, this often becomes a mantra.
Start Small. When you begin decluttering you definitely want to start small, because trying to do too much at once can be very overwhelming and even intimidating. By starting small, even with one single drawer, you see how much you can accomplish in a short amount of time. Dedicating 15 minutes are less is a great starting point for taking a small area and cleaning it and getting rid of clutter.
Get the Family Involved. Maybe your family is part of the problem, now is the time for you to stress how important it is for you to have a clutter free environment and how they can be a part of the solution. If you have little one’s it is also great to acknowledge when they are helping and gives praises, everyone loves a little encouragement, as a team you can move out of CHAOS!
Separate Items. Create four piles or get four boxes – Keep (this room), Toss, Donate/Give/Sell, and Keep (store elsewhere) – and place them in the area where you will start. Try to handle each item only once. When you pick something up, decide if you will keep it in the room where it now is; if it is garbage and can be tossed; if you no longer need it and it can be donated or given; or if it is to be kept in a different location. Look at each item and put it one of the boxes.
When you review each item, try to think about how often you have used it in the last year. Be honest with yourself. If the item has not been used in a year, it is time to let it go – trash it or bless someone else by donating it.
Be mindful of the things you bring into your home. Quickly go through your mail outside near the trash can. Keep the important mail and toss the junk mail, don’t take it home or leave it in the car. While you open your mail, jot down important dates on a calendar. You can then file the mail if still needed or shred it if it has personal information on it.
One in/one out rule. It’s time to embrace a new habit or rule. If you buy a new item, with this rule, you would also get rid of one item. This item could be something related to what you purchased or something non-related. The point is to get into the habit of removing one item each time a new item comes into the home.
When you have one drawer, stack, corner or box cleaned out, take a ten minute break, especially If you are working with little ones, enjoy a cup of tea or small snack. Then, after your drink or snack is finished, tackle another. Before you know it, you will have a cleaned out dresser, cabinet or one less pile to look at. Then, do your best to keep that renewed area clean and clear from that point forward. Congratulations on a job well done!
There are so many benefits in decluttering if you enjoyed this article you may also enjoy
“7 Simple Habits to Keeping Your Life Clutter Free”
Life Coach Helping Busy Mom’s Unleash Their Passions
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