Do you want to start your minimalism journey? But not sure about how to declutter your possessions/space?
Many beginners find decluttering to be a daunting task. However, one can easily tackle the problem with a little bit of guidance and some planning.
The Importance Of Knowing How To Declutter
Decluttering is perhaps the most common way to start your minimalism journey. However, it is not always easy. A few days ago, my mom told me that she had this bag of clothes that she wanted to declutter but had no idea what to do with them. Coming from an Asian family, throwing away things is super hard. We have this tendency to hold onto things for as long as we can. So, in such cases how does one even begin to declutter?
Well, fret not if you are in the same conundrum. Here are 10 effective decluttering tips to get you started on your minimalism journey!
Read on to know more about how to declutter.
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10 Tips On How To Declutter
1. Visualize Having More Available Space
Before you even start with the actual decluttering, here’s a visualization exercise. Focus on the area that you want to clean out first. Then imagine all the free space that you will have once you are done with the task. Feels good?
Decluttering takes time and energy. During the process, it is plausible to lose the determination. You may start asking yourself whether the entire exercise is in futility or not. In those moments, the mere visuals of having more free space at your disposal will surely bring a sense of purpose.
2. Start Small
One of the most pertinent tips when pondering over how to declutter, is starting small. It goes along the principle of not biting off more than what you can chew.
When you are a novice to the minimalist lifestyle, little things can overwhelm you easily. Hence, as you begin your decluttering journey, make sure to start small. Instead of trying to tackle the whole room, focus on a single closet or a desk, or just a corner of your kitchen. Break up the entire task into smaller sections and proceed from there.
As you go about handling the different spaces, you will find that decluttering, after all, isn’t all that daunting.
Related Read: 5 Minimalism Reminders For Beginners
3. Too Overwhelming? Ask For Help
You don’t have to do everything by yourself. Sorting and cleaning out your space is a taxing job. Hence, ask for help from a family member or a friend. This can significantly cut the time taken. And you will not end up being as tired.
4. Create A Plan
When fretting over how to declutter, the one thing that can save you is having a plan.
If necessary, write down all the details. If you know that the activity can take you several days, then schedule what you want to achieve on each day. Then try to stick to it. Moreover, decluttering means that you may not get time to do your daily chores. So plan for that as well so that you do not get blind-sighted later. Use a planner or a dry erase calendar to make things easier for yourself.
Related Read: Fashion Minimalism- 5 Practical Tips to Declutter Your Closet
5. Give A Home To Everything
You must have already heard of this one on your quest about how to declutter.
Designating a specific home for your things helps you to maintain order. Decluttering is of no use if, after a few days, you end up with a mess again.
Think storage baskets, storage boxes, drawers, and cabinets. Assign a particular space to most of your items. Return things to their homes after every usage. A little will go a long way if you can maintain this.
6. Find Donation And Re-Selling Spots
When you purge your space, you will end up with unwanted items in perfectly good condition. The best course of action for such things is to either donate or resell them.
So, before you begin the actual task of decluttering, do a bit of research. Find out places that will accept donations. These could be your local thrift stores and charitable organizations. Some of the places operate online as well. Look into ‘buy nothing’ groups in your area. Then there are websites and marketplaces where you can sell your stuff also.
Related Read: Decluttering Tips- 10 Things To Say GoodBye To ASAP
7. One Space At A Time
This caveat about how to declutter goes without saying. Avoid multitasking at any cost. Stick to one space and move on to the next one only when you are done. This way, you will maintain your sanity throughout the whole process.
8. Follow The One In One Out Strategy
Limiting your purchases reduces the necessity for decluttering. One great way to start this habit is with the one in one out mindset.
When you buy something, make sure to donate or sell or give away one item. This way the number of things you own will never get out of hand.
9. Make Memories Out Of Sentimental Items
Sentimental items can pose a problem, especially when you are wondering how to declutter them. You don’t want to just throw them away. And yet maybe you don’t have enough space for them either.
One way to address this is by digitizing. Take a picture with it and save a soft copy. Or repurpose multiple items into one. For example, make a quilt from the old band t-shirts. Or a Christmas ornament from a trinket.
Make new memories out of your sentimental items.
10. Reach Out To The Minimalist In Your Life
If you have a minimalist in your life, reach out to them. Ask them about their best tips and tricks on how to declutter.
Trust me, they will be more than happy to guide you through the process.
Check out these great minimalist productivity tips to help achieve your goals by my friend Jessalynn at the DoableSimplicity Blog.
Peace.
Do you have any related experience or story to tell? Please share in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
