Are you ready for my biggest and best decluttering tips, tricks, and methods?

What Not to Do When Deciding to Declutter

Most of us aren’t experts when it comes to decluttering and organizing our homes. Unfortunately, it’s common to get about halfway through the job, only to discover we’ve gone about things without a plan. Perhaps it’s taking longer than you thought, and you end up with things strewn about the room because you simply don’t get back to it. That’s just one common example of why so many of us avoid this stressful process. However, knowing what not to do when deciding to declutter can help to ensure you don’t end in frustration.

Don’t Overdo It

As already mentioned, it’s unwise to get overzealous. Thinking you will sort through an entire houseful of possessions in one day is unrealistic. Doing this may even cause you enough frustration to give up entirely. Avoid burnout by setting aside a smaller time frame to complete one area.

Don’t Organize Before Purging

First you need to purge your home of all the things that are taking up space. Pretty containers are a waste of money because it’s impossible to understand your storage needs until you assess your items after purging.

Don’t Do Only Half the Job

A common mistake is setting aside items for donating or gifting to be delivered another day. In reality, all of these things simply leave your decluttering project looking unfinished. Take the extra effort to remove all unwanted items from your home immediately.

Don’t Reward Yourself with More Stuff

No matter how much you may be tempted, never go out and reward yourself by buying a new item. This mistake continues the cycle that led to your clutter in the first place. An exception may be a new piece of storage furniture to replace one you just gave away, as this move doesn’t add clutter.

Make note of these decluttering tips, tricks, and methods, and you’ll be on your way to an organized, comfortable space. Reward yourself with a nice cup of tea or coffee while enjoying your beautiful surroundings.

How to Handle Decluttering Overwhelm

The philosophy of minimalism is being embraced by people everywhere. It’s appealing to consider simplifying your life by getting rid of unnecessary possessions and concentrating on experiences that bring fulfillment. Except, for many, the actual process of lessening their load can be daunting. Let’s make things more manageable and take a look at some specific ideas for how to handle decluttering overwhelms.

Know Your Why

In the field of multi-level marketing, the phrase, “Know your why,” is used as a motivator to remind associates of the reasons they went into business for themselves. This same concept is essential for keeping you on-task when the decluttering process becomes difficult. Understanding your reasons for wanting to live a minimalist lifestyle is crucial to success.

Set Aside Time

The first step to getting a handle on your feelings about decluttering is to understand that nothing needs to be accomplished overnight. Set aside a general amount of time for the project, knowing that your timeline can be extended if necessary. Having a time frame provides structure, but allowing wiggle room takes away the pressure.

Make a Plan

Having a plan is essential to the smooth completion of any goal you hope to accomplish. It only makes sense that mapping out your steps to decluttering would also be beneficial. Write down things like the order you wish to tackle your clutter, how many rooms or areas you would like to complete each week, the manner in which you want to sell valuable items and where you will donate the rest. This proactive step can go a long way toward making it all seem more manageable.

Visualize Your Ideal Space

One more thing to do before actually getting down to the business of decluttering is to form an idea in your head of how you’d like your finished space to look. It may even help to jot down some drawings and notes. Doing so will help you decide what to keep and what to discard because you will have a better idea of whether a particular item will complement your vision.

It’s true that the hardest part is often actually getting started. Now that you know some concrete decluttering tips, tricks, and methods to manage the overwhelm of decluttering. Hopefully you’re feeling energized to begin!

Decluttering Methods of Minimalist Masters

If you’re feeling boxed in by the amount of clutter in your home, you’ve likely come to the realization that it’s time to make a change. You’ve probably thought about what life could be like if you reclaimed your space, making it clean and organized. However, decluttering requires getting rid of stuff, and parting with possessions can be one of the most emotionally overwhelming experiences for some people. Fortunately, there are tons of creative ways to make the process easier. Top professional organizers have developed systems for breaking the process down and making it seem more bearable. Keep reading to learn the decluttering tips, tricks, and methods of minimalist masters.

KonMari Method

• Let’s start with one you’ve probably heard of due to its sweeping popularity (No pun intended). Author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo is considered by many to be a decluttering guru. With over four million books sold, it’s definitely worth considering her “magic.” Kondo’s method involves focusing on what to keep, rather than what to toss. The core principles involve categorizing your items, and then taking time to sort through each category with the mindful intention of keeping only the ones that bring you joy.

365 Less Things

• Colleen Madsen of, 365 Less Things, has a brilliant approach to paring down possessions. She decided at the beginning of 2010 to make minimalism her resolution by giving away or selling one item each day for the entire year. Madsen documents both the physical results of the project and the psychological aspects on her blog.

Minimalist Game

• If you want to take the daily give-away approach a step further, consider playing the Minimalist Game. The brainchild of Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of the popular blog, The Minimalists, this method requires you to on the first day of the month and choose to get rid of the number of items that corresponds with each date. Giving away one thing on the first day is easy, but can you come up with 31 to part with at month’s end? Those who stick with it will have a home with 496 pieces of clutter. Making it a challenge with friends or family ups the stakes.

These are just three of the creative methods to help you begin the decluttering process. Other popular strategies include Oprah’s Closet Hanger Experiment, 5-Minute Decluttering Tips from Zen Habits, Project 333 or the Packing Party. Pick one that resonates with you and start making progress!

How to Declutter Any Space in Five Easy Steps

Decluttering your space can be a great way to destress and set yourself up for greater success. It can also be a great way to unwind at the end of your day and take back control as long as you take the right approach. Use the following five steps to help you declutter any space quickly and easily:

1. Create A Vision: Always start with a plan. Know what you want from the space and highlight any problem areas. Take measurements, if needed, and list any storage needs you might have.
2. Empty Your Space: Start with a blank canvas by clearing the area you want to declutter. If an entire room is overwhelming, start with a single area before moving to the next section.
3. Organize Your Items: To get started, grab a few boxes or bags. Then go through each item and sort them into the following categories:
   • Throw Away
   • Give Away/Donate
   • Keep
   • Optional: Set Aside (reevaluate in 6 months) – Use this one sparingly.
4. Put Things Back: It’s time to return items from your “Keep” pile to your space. This is also the time to “re-home” throw-away and donation items. Finally, store “later” items out of the way.
5. Reassess Your Space: Now it’s time to take a step back and evaluate your space from a fresh perspective. Take note of how the finished space makes you feel and if it functions as intended. Also keep an eye out for any items you can still toss, donate, or give away to make the space even more functional and/or aesthetically appealing.

Tip: Do a trial run of any activities you have planned for your newly organized space and make note of any challenges you encounter. Roadblocks can lead to frustration and procrastination, so it’s best to address them before they become an issue.

Final Notes

Once you’re happy with your results, repeat these decluttering tips, tricks, and methods for each space you need to declutter and organize. Before long, you’ll experience the many benefits of living and working in an area that is clean, organized, and free from clutter.