Decluttering for Busy People: Expert Tips and Strategies
Start Small and Set Achievable Goals
Decluttering can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that it’s a process. Start by setting small, achievable goals. Instead of trying to declutter your entire home in one day, focus on one area at a time. Choose easy areas first, like your junk drawer or a small closet. By making small, consistent progress, you’ll gradually declutter your entire home without feeling overwhelmed.
Declutter During Downtime
Even if you don’t have a lot of time, you can still declutter by taking advantage of your downtime. When you have a few minutes free, like while waiting for your coffee to brew or waiting for the laundry to finish, choose a small decluttering task to tackle. This could be as simple as clearing out a drawer or sorting through a pile of papers.
Identify Problem Zones
Once you’ve tackled the smaller areas, it’s time to move on to the more challenging problem zones. These are areas that are filled with more items than they can reasonably accommodate, such as closets, dresser drawers, or kitchen cabinets. To declutter these areas, start by sorting through everything and getting rid of anything you don’t need or use anymore.
Let Go of “Someday” Items
We all have items that we’ve been holding onto for years under the assumption that we might need them someday. It’s time to let go of this idea. If you haven’t used something in the past year, chances are you don’t need it. Donate it, sell it, or throw it away.
Make Decluttering a Daily Habit
Consistency is key when it comes to decluttering. Set aside a specific time each day, even if it’s just for 15 minutes, to declutter. By making it a daily habit, you’ll gradually reduce the amount of clutter in your home.
Decluttering Strategies for Different Areas
- Kitchen: Start by decluttering your countertops and cabinets. Get rid of any appliances or cookware that you don’t use regularly. Organize the remaining items so that they’re easy to find.
- Closets: Sort through your clothes and donate or discard anything that you don’t wear anymore. Use drawer organizers and shelf dividers to keep your clothes organized and accessible.
- Bathrooms: Declutter your bathroom cabinets and drawers by getting rid of expired medications and old toiletries. Use baskets or bins to organize the remaining items.
- Garage: The garage is often a dumping ground for items that are out of sight and out of mind. Sort through everything and get rid of anything you don’t need. Use shelves and pegboards to organize the remaining items.
Make Decluttering Fun
If the thought of decluttering makes you shudder, try to reframe the process. Think of it as an act of self-care or an opportunity for discovery. Put on some music, light a candle, or invite a friend to help you. Decluttering doesn’t have to be a chore. Turn it into an opportunity to refresh your space and rediscover items you forgot you had.
