Your home is your safe space, your haven, the place where you can just ‘be.’
With Stacey Solomon back on our TV screens with Sort Your Life Out and a touch of spring in the air, I am pretty sure you have been saying to yourself, “I need to declutter my house.”
Who can blame you? It feels like the time is now, right?
Before you get started, you need to ask yourself a few questions. You need to know what type of home you wish to create and how, in your mind, that looks.
With so many makeover programmes on TV, it is easy to find inspiration and ideas for what kind of home you want to create. People are wanting to have the perfect home – free of clutter, organised, clean, and pretty.
Where to start when decluttering
If you are feeling overwhelmed, I always say: create a list of each area in your home where you feel there is clutter.
Everything is easier with a list. Once you have created the list, go through each area and decide which of them is a priority. Which area is screaming out to be decluttered? When I create lists for clients, we normally do it room by room, and then list what that room contains. For instance, you may have a surplus of plastic in your kitchen. Who doesn’t love a bit of Tupperware, but when it starts to take over your cupboards, it is time to let go.
Although decluttering can seem daunting, in the eyes of a decluttering expert, it is a challenge – and that is why it makes sense to call in someone to help you through the process. Asking for help is a brave thing to do.
Why it’s harder to declutter your own home
I was thinking about this the other day. Whatever I am presented with, I have no attachment to the stuff, so it makes it easier for me to see what could possibly be let go of. For you, it is harder, I get that. But when you are finding yourself saying “I need to declutter my house” then you know it is time to do it.
Make it part of your routine
It is best to set a day and time each week when it can be done. Make it a routine if you like. That way, you will find it easier to do. Set a time too – there is no point going in for the long haul when you don’t have the energy to make it past one hour. Be realistic about what you can manage.
Be prepared
When decluttering, you’ll need:
- Good lighting
- Music (optional)
- Water to keep you hydrated
- Energy and focus
- Bags and labels beside you:
- Black bin liners for rubbish
- Coloured bags for charity donations
- A bag for recycling
You may also want a box for items to sell. I normally recommend Facebook Marketplace for ease.
Start small
Always start with the easy stuff. Maybe you have a messy drawer, probably full of things you don’t use or don’t even know are there. Clear it out and only put back the items you actually use.
For example, my messy drawer in the hallway contains keys, car park pass, batteries, and a torch – all essentials. It looks a bit untidy but it’s functional. We all need a useful drawer, but only with the items we truly need.
Set your objectives
- The objective is to have clear spaces: nothing on the floor, blocking doorways, covering surfaces, or stuffed behind furniture.
- Everything is put away – no items lingering without a home.
- Everything destined for charity has left the building.
- Any jobs you need to do (mend clothes, give something to a friend) are grouped in one area.
- Follow the mantra: a place for everything and everything in its place.
- Remember your home is a living space, not a storage space.
- Only keep in your home what you use – nothing extra.
Be discerning
You may have items you purchased some time ago but have never used. It is perfectly fine to let them go – donate to a friend or family member, or sell them if they are of value.
Knowing what you like now is key. A gift from years ago may not suit you or your lifestyle anymore. You are allowed to change your taste, so focus on what you truly want in your home today.
The benefits of decluttering
Life is for living, and having a house full of stuff that makes you feel cluttered, chaotic, and held back is not good. More and more people are choosing a minimalist lifestyle with only the things they need – no more, no less.
Apart from anything else, a decluttered home is easier to keep clean.
So next time you find yourself saying “I need to declutter my house,” just pop that into Google and see who comes up. Finding someone to do the hard work with you, to hold your hand and keep you motivated, is the best investment in yourself and your family. After all, who doesn’t want to create the home of their dreams?
With Love,
Beth
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