We’re all drowning in stuff. That drawer full of tangled chargers for old Nokias? The wardrobe bursting with clothes from your last growth spurt? The inbox with 3,074 unread emails?
I’ve been there too. The good news is, you can declutter your life without going crazy in the process. And I’m here to show you how.
Baby Steps
When I first decided it was time to declutter, I made the mistake of trying to get everything done in one weekend.
Big mistake. Huge. By Sunday afternoon, I was sitting in a pile of half-sorted junk, wondering why I ever started this madness.
Here’s what I learned: start small. Really small.
Got a junk drawer in your kitchen? That’s a perfect place to start. Set a timer for 15 minutes and see what you can accomplish.
You’ll be amazed at how much progress you can make in such a short time. Plus, it’s much less daunting than trying to sort you home out all at once.
The 90/90 Rule: Make This Your Decluttering Mantra
When was the last time you used that fidget spinner? Can’t remember? Then it’s time for the 90/90 rule.
It goes like this:
- Have I used it in the last 90 days?
- Will I use it in the next 90 days?
If it’s a “no” for both questions, it’s time to say goodbye (unless it’s a priceless heirloom, which your fidget spinner probably isn’t).
“But what if I need it someday?” If you haven’t used it for the last three months, there’s a good chance you never will. And if you do, you can just buy or borrow one (this rule works best for items that don’t cost millions, of course).
There’s a Place for Everything
Did your mum ever nag you about putting things back where they belong? Turns out, she was onto something. Creating systems is key to keeping clutter at bay.
Here’s what works for me:
- The “one in, one out” rule: Just bought a new dress? Then an old one has to go. That way at least you’re not adding to the clutter every time you go shopping.
- Clear containers are your friend: If you can see it, you’re more likely to use it (or realise you don’t need it).
- Labels, labels, labels: I went a bit crazy with my label maker, but at least I know where everything goes now.
Sentimental Stuff (The Archnemesis of the Declutterer)
Let’s talk about the hard stuff: those sentimental items that seem to mock all your decluttering efforts.
A t-shirt you wore to a gig when you were 15. An old woodworking project from Year 7. These things have memories attached.
Here’s my strategy:
- Get a special ”memory box” for the really important stuff. But make it a reasonably sized box, not a shipping container.
- If it evokes memories but you’re not attached to the item itself, you can just take photos or a video of it. Your child’s first pair of shoes are cute, but a photo takes up way less space.
- Ask yourself: “Does this bring me joy, or just make me nostalgic?” Keep items that bring you joy, but if they make you feel sad, get rid of them.
Digital Declutter
An overflowing inbox can be just as stressful as a messy room. Time for some tough love:
- Unsubscribe from all those newsletters you never read (hopefully not ours!).
- Clear out your camera gallery. Do you still need those photos of fancy lattes from five years ago?
- Create folders. It will make things easier to find, and easier to delete!
The Lifelong Struggle of the Declutterer
Decluttering is a bit like brushing your teeth – it needs to be a daily habit
My secret weapons:
- The 2-minute rule: If it takes less than 2 minutes to put away, do it now. Not later. Now.
- Weekly mini-declutter sessions: I call it the “Sunday clear-up”. Before going to bed on Sunday night, I take 15 minutes to go around the house, put things away and pick out a few things I can get rid of.
- Mindful shopping: Before buying anything new, I ask myself, “Where is this going to live?” No space, no buy.
A Clutter-Free Future Awaits
Decluttering isn’t always fun. There will be moments when you’re knee-deep in old copies of the National Geographic, wondering why you ever started this journey.
It might feel like you’re going crazy, but it’s worth it. Just imagine the day when you’ll be able to walk into a clutter-free room, find what you need without a treasure hunt, and your space feels like a home and not the back room of a charity shop? It’s worth a few tough decisions.
So, take a deep breath, pick a drawer (just one!), and take that first step. Your future, less-stressed self is cheering you on.
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