We’re 28 days into the new year, you’ve recovered from the holidays, and you’re ready to create a fresh start and make some changes!
If you’ve said this is the year you want to tackle the clutter in your home that’s been staring at you and draining your energy for so long you can’t even remember, you’re in the right place.
Sometimes we need a jumpstart to get rolling on a project that is overwhelming. The projects you avoid the most are the ones you often need to come at slowly and gently. Kind of like approaching a scared animal. Go in too fast and you might get bitten. Come in slowly and mindfully and you may make a new best friend. In this case, your new bff will be your own home!
WHERE DO I START?
Not knowing where to start is part of that overwhelm. Does any of this sound familiar?
Which room should I start in?
What’s the first step?
If I’m supposed to take everything out at one time, I’ll start crying.
Once I’ve figured out which room, what’s the right thing to start with?
I’ll get to it tomorrow.
I want you to know this:
There is no right or wrong way to go about this.
Generally speaking, you start by picking up one thing and making a decision about it.
If all you do today is decide the fate of that one thing, you’re on your way! Tomorrow you can pick up one more thing.
THE CLUTTER CATEGORY TO START WITH
I’m going to give you lists for your kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom that you can start with. I know your house may have an office, living room, front room, studio, den, playroom, basement, garage, storage space, and so much more. But even I got overwhelmed writing that list so let’s start with the basics.
However, before you do anything, your first step is to target the trash in whatever space you’re in.
Empty bottles
Pizza boxes
Empty shopping bags
Solo cups with goodness-knows-what in them
Wrappers
You get the idea, right? The stuff that there is no question about, and goes straight into the bin. If you hold onto things that others would consider garbage it may be something to talk to a coach about.
Once you’ve cleared the trash from a room your job is to make a commitment that garbage will now go into a garbage bin, even if it would be so much easier to just leave it where it is.
Staying on top of this will make a huge difference in most households.
KITCHEN
The kitchen has lots of little hidey holes with cooking and baking items you haven’t used in years. It also has food in it. Dry goods and refrigerated goods. You’ve already cleared the trash from this room, but have you gotten it out of the pantry and fridge?
Expired items
Moldy items
Questionable items
Anything bugs have gotten into
You don’t have to empty your pantry oR refrigerator to do this, unless you want to. Remember, we’re working on quick decluttering wins. Getting rid of the obvious stuff makes a difference.
From here you’ll open drawers and cabinets. Remember if all you do today is one cabinet, one drawer, or one shelf, you’ve done more than had been done before.
Chipped glasses and mugs
Dishes from when the kids were little
Duplicates of any cooking or baking utensils
Plastic containers with no lids
Worn out sponges and scrubbers
Yes, I know you have so much more to do in this room. If you have the energy and wherewithal to do more go for it. Many people find that once they start they get excited and want to keep going.
Keep an eye on your energy level.
Don’t start something you can’t finish today. Waking up to new chaos will overwhelm you again and you might not be able to start again.
BATHROOM
We don’t spend a ton of time in our bathrooms for anything other than utility. Shower, brush your teeth, do your hair, put on makeup, moisturize. When we do these things, we aren’t examining the extra stuff that’s taking up space, we only pay attention to the product we’re using at the time.
Any makeup over two years old
Travel-sized toiletries
Nearly empty bottles that haven’t been touched in months
Worn out or ripped towels
Expired face products
Expired medications, over the counter and prescription
When I walk into a client’s bathroom and see five different bottles of shampoo in the shower I ask “Are all of these being used?” So far, I have not gotten a “yes” response. These few items being gone will make the space seem more open right away.
BEDROOM
The bedroom means the room itself and any other closets you’re keeping clothes in. Yup, I know you have overflow in another closet!
The first part of the bedroom is everything that isn’t clothing.
Clutter on your nightstand
Jewelry you haven’t worn in a year
Anything that belongs in another room
Any linens with holes or tears
This room has very specific uses. Piles of paperwork do not have anything to do with those uses. Boxes of randomness don’t have anything to do with those uses. Simply take those items to where they do belong. You don’t have to declutter them. All you are doing is moving them right now.
And then there’s your clothing. We are not talking about a full closet overhaul right now. We’re talking about hitting up some quick easy items that get the ball rolling or at least show you what it can be like to have some stuff cleared out.
Clothing with holes and tears
Socks and underwear with holes
Damaged shoes
Wire hangers
We’re going to stop there for now. Notice that this list is basically a trash list. You can’t donate damaged things, so toss them. I know you keep saying you’re going to sew that one item. Stop lying to yourself, relieve yourself of the guilt and burden of an unfinished task.
And for the love of all that is holy, please do not keep the wire hangers you get from the dry cleaners. They are not good for your clothes.
Wire hangers are meant only as transportation.
Please invest in plastic tube, wooden or flocked hangers. It’s better for your clothing and looks nice and uniform – trust me, this matters.
WHAT NOW?
When you see how different these small changes make, you’ll want to do more. You might not do it today, but it’ll be on your radar.
The key is to not refill the space you just made.
Use the One-In-One-Out rule so you can keep the number of items in your home stable at this amount or less as you continue to declutter.
Do not allow trash to build again. Take a sweep through the house every evening before bed and grab anything that is obviously garbage and dispose of it.
Don’t make excuses or lie to yourself to give yourself permission to ignore these two rules.
This is a start. I hope you feel excited and energized to keep going!
If you try this and it doesn’t seem to make a lasting difference then Declutter Coaching is what you need.
As a coach I help you figure out what your barriers to change are, give you skills, and ask the questions that help you make decisions. Alone it’s easy to get caught up in the feelings about the stuff you’re dealing with. With a coach to help you stay on track you’ll learn how to not get stuck and keep progress going, and ultimately maintain your beautifully tidy home!