Have you ever looked at a cluttered space in your home, and it just immediately stressed you out? Your home can feel chaotic and overwhelming when you have a lot of unopened mail, overflowing closets, or random things on your countertops. Research has shown that having too much stuff around can actually make you more anxious, making it harder to concentrate, and even affecting your sleep.
But that doesn’t mean you have to become a minimalist tomorrow, there is a less extreme way to get out of feeling stressed over your clutter. Having a tidy home gives you a sense of control, comfort, and clarity. It’s not just about how your home looks, it’s about how it feels to live there every day
This article will explore some doable ways to get rid of clutter in your home, one step at a time. These tips are realistic for real people with real lives and busy schedules. We’ll cover everything from how to deal with the emotional side of clutter to how to use proven methods to keep your home from becoming cluttered again
The Mind Behind Clutter
Don’t stress out, you don’t need to clean your whole house in one weekend. Starting Small is the best way to go. Start by choosing one closet, one drawer, or even one countertop. You could start with the entryway, the kitchen, or the bathroom, which are all high-traffic or high-stress areas where clutter tends to build up quickly and get in the way of daily life.
Take a look at your schedule and make goals that are possible for you. It’s important to be consistent instead of fast. You could take 15 minutes a day or a focused hour on the weekends to work on decluttering your home. Do what works best for you and your schedule so that you don’t stress yourself out further.
Recognize what things or areas have the biggest impact on your daily life. This will help you quickly feel the results of decluttering and help you keep going. Your home will start to feel calmer as each room becomes more useful.
Methods for Decluttering
Having a system makes a ton of difference. Marie Kondo’s “Does it spark away?” Method is a well-known way to decide what to keep and what to get rid of. It says they only keep things that make your life better or happier. Letting go of something might be the best decision if it no longer serves a purpose or never did to begin with.
The put-it-in-the-attic method has you put items you don’t use regularly in the attic or the basement, and if you don’t have a need for them over the next month, it’s time to get rid of them. This method is more time-consuming, but allows you to recognize what you need and use versus what you don’t.
The four-box method is another proven way to declutter. You put labels on four boxes that say keep, donate, trash, and relocate. This allows you to have a clear plan for each item, which helps you make decisions and keep you moving forward.
When you’re sorting things, try to put them in groups of alike items. Think about whether or not you have duplicates. Ask yourself questions like, Have I used this in the past year? Do I really need or want this? Try to be decisive or include a pile that you will think about and revisit in an hour or so.
Things that have meaning can be hard to get rid of. If something means something to you, but you don’t have space for it anymore, think about taking a picture of it before you throw it away or put it in a memory box to keep clutter from spreading into your daily life.
Putting Things in Order
Now that you’ve started cleaning up, it’s time to put everything in its place. To get the most out of your storage space and keep things neat, try using bins, drawer dividers, shelf risers, and baskets. Wall hooks, over-the-door racks, and stacked organizers are all examples of vertical space that can help you.
Try sorting things into groups and putting them in zones based on how and where you use them. For example, keeping your cooking tools close to the stove, your mail close to the door, and your office supplies all in one drawer instead of all over the house.
Make sure that the system you put in place is easy to keep up with. Put labels on containers, keep things you use often close by, and don’t overfill your storage spaces. You’re more likely to stay organized long-term if it’s easy to put things back where they belong.
Keeping Your Home Free of Clutter
Build small, yet lasting habits to keep you organized. You could try spending five minutes a day putting things away or cleaning up before bed. A nightly reset and keeping clutter from coming back. Unless you live alone, you can rely on your partner and family to help you pick up and mess of the day and get ready for the next.
Try setting aside time each month or season to go through and clean out places that tend to get cluttered, like junk drawers, closets, and kitchen counters. Clutter can accumulate over time without you noticing until it’s out of hand. It’s good to plan times to reset each space so that things don’t become too much.
Get everyone in the house involved to make a bigger difference. Give everyone in the family some responsibilities, teach the kids how to sort and organize, or have family decluttering days. When everyone is on the same page, keeping things neat becomes a way of life instead of a chore.
Conclusion
Decluttering isn’t just about having a clean home, it’s about making a place where you can breathe. When your home is well organized, your stress levels are lower, and your productivity increases, overall making life more fun.
Don’t overwhelm yourself with feeling like you have to do everything today. Start small, take your time, and be proud of yourself for doing what you’ve done. Soon, you’re home will be peaceful, comfortable, and a clear place over time, which is something everyone should have.
