With springtime right around the corner, now seems to be the perfect time to provide a little clutter coaching before your annual spring cleaning. I mean, it’s always a good time to impart decluttering and organizing tips to help you live more simply, but today it feels extra right!
I’d like to clear up a key misconception about clutter, so that you that can begin clear out clutter. When people hear the word “clutter”, many conjure images of stuff sprawling across countertops and clothes piled up in ever-growing clumps on the floor. Yes, some of this may be items that no longer serve you and you should let go of. However, it is far more likely that the belongings that are covering the surfaces of your home are actually the things that you use regularly and therefore are not clutter. They still have a very valuable place in your life. The problem is that they don’t have a designated place to return to after you use them, so they stay out and exposed and create a feeling of overwhelming chaos. The problem is that true clutter--the junk that you do not need--is taking up precious real estate in your drawers, cupboards, and closets and displacing all the good stuff! This ends today, my friend!
To root out the clutter in your home, I recommend completely emptying out whatever storage space you’re trying to organize. In doing so, you not only create a clean canvas, but also since you can see ALL the items that were previously crammed into the space in relation to the items that have been living on your counters and floors, you can be more objective about what you actually use and what has earned its place in your home.
Once you have everything laid out before you, edit, edit, edit. Group like items with like items. This allows you to see where you have duplication and overlap. For example, you might discover that you have multiple can openers and realize, “Hey, I really only need one.” Or, you may recall, “Oh yeah, I got THIS can opener to replace THAT not so great one which I inherited from my mom when she was upgrading her kitchen tools and I just somehow forgot to take the old one out of the drawer." At this point, you'll turn to your second-rate can opener and quickly yet reverently say, "Thank you for your service. Goodbye!” When you decide to let go of an item of clutter, you make space for an item of value! Apply this evaluation process to each category of things and you’ll be amazed at how much room you had all along. To reclaim your countertops and floor space, all you need is less.
As always, I am here to support you if you have any questions on how to get started on your decluttering journey or how to get unstuck if you feel like you’ve hit a wall. Please feel free to reach out with an email: hello@makeroombymonica.com. I look forward to connecting with you!