Decluttering your home is very important. It should be done at least once a year, but every six months is the best approach if you want to be on the safe side. If you do it regularly it will be easy. Do you know when people declutter the most? When they have to move. Decluttering makes packing much easier and that's why it's a crucial part of every relocation. We are here to make sure that you get rid of all the junk and sort all your household items easily. That's why we wanted to show you the most common mistakes people make. You can learn from their mistakes and not make them once you start working. If you download some moving and packing apps, you will find a lot of useful decluttering tips so maybe try that as well.
Unrealistic expectations are the number 1 problem
If you subscribe to Netflix, you can see Marie Kondo quickly tidy up a whole house and transform the lives of a family. She does it in 30 minutes. Effective and healthy decluttering in real life takes time. Much more than 30 minutes. In fact, if you don't do it often it might take a few days. The following variables will affect how soon you declutter:
- how big is your house is
- how many people reside in your home
- when was the last time you decluttered your home
Treat decluttering like preparing for a marathon. You wouldn't go full speed on the first day. That's a formula for catastrophe and extremely aching legs - lactic acid, here we come! Unbelievably, the same is true when it comes to cleaning your home: it requires preparation, perseverance, guts, and, hey, we are going to be open with you, maybe even a few tears now and then. You will be putting yourself in a successful position and forming habits that maintain your home clutter-free if you begin the process of decluttering with a positive, healthy mindset. So, forget Marie Kondo for now especially if you are decluttering before relocation. Focus on movers and what needs to be done. Marie is for another day.
Questions you need to answer before decluttering your home
There are other organizing gurus on the scene besides Marie Kondo. In fact, unless you've been living under a rock, you've definitely seen a ton of exciting headlines about minimalism and decluttering on social media, YouTube, and in your FYP. Do you know the initial motivation behind your viewing of these tales and videos? They are sensational, therefore you watch. Despite the clickbait names, the majority of these folks didn't start out with the explicit intention of having X number of possessions; rather, they naturally arrived at that number as a result of frequent, deliberate decluttering. Consider organizing your household as a journey instead of a destination. Instead of concentrating on the number of possessions you should have, constantly ask yourself the crucial decluttering issues, such as:
- Do I feel joyful when I have this?
- Does this thing have any use for me or provide any value to my everyday life?
- Does this take up too much room?
- Will I require this thing in the not-too-distant future?
Many experts think that if you haven't used an item in over a year, chances are - you don't need this. What do you think about this? Think about it when you start decluttering.
Don't follow expert advice word for word
It's excellent to get inspired by reading, watching, and learning from professional decluttering gurus and stories. Decluttering, though, can be a very private process. Do not feel obligated to adhere to professional decluttering recommendations. In other words, don't declutter anything if it doesn't seem good to you. Always be honest with yourself because once something is gone, it's gone, even though you should force yourself to be real about your household items and whether you want them or not. The classic minimalist aesthetic might not be your cup of tea since dare I say it, minimalist homes are typically quite monochrome and, dare I say it, dull.
Remember that color is alright, collectibles are okay, and hobbies are great if they make you good and enrich your life. You don't have to dress in neutral colors if you don't want to! Listening to your gut while decluttering is almost never a mistake! Throw away items you don't need especially if you are moving but if you feel like holding onto something, consider alternative solutions like storage. You do not have to do anything you do not want.
You will need a plan, don't do it randomly
Have you ever given any thought to the primary reasons for decluttering? Here, we're not talking about vague objectives like, "I would like to simplify my life," but rather, do you have a clear, specific notion of where you want to go with your decluttering? What would exactly are you looking to achieve with decluttering? What goals do you have in mind when you declutter? Some people desire to simplify their daily lives and achieve minimalistic home design, while others simply need to get rid of clutter to make cleaning easier. There are some who have chosen to live a minimalist lifestyle and yet others are relocating and must determine what to take with them.
You can make a plan for how you're going to get there when you know what you're attempting to accomplish. Decluttering your home will be a big journey if this is your first time doing it but it will get easier over time and if you start doing it regularly you will achieve that 30-minute decluttering you see on tv. Good luck!
