We’re all guilty of it — filling our homes with useless junk we don’t need or use. But a cluttered home can lead to a cluttered mind, so stop putting it off – take some time to clear out your clutter. It’s a positive, empowering action that will create more time and space for a fresh new you!
From the piles of mail on your kitchen table to the boxes stacked on top of your wardrobe, clutter is a part of daily life. It might not bother you. You could be so used to those mounds of clothes and piles of shoes that you simply don’t notice them anymore. But clear them out and you’ll gain space in more ways than one.
Focus on one area at a time. “It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you look at the big picture,” says Julie. “Break the project up into smaller pieces that are more manageable.”
Ask yourself these questions for every item you pick up: Do I use it? Do I like it? Do I need it? If you answer no, chuck it out.
If you’re struggling to let go of something, put it in a box and store it away. If you haven’t used it or needed it three months later, or you’ve forgotten what’s in the box, it’s time to let go.
Accept your mistakes and move on. That dress you bought for $10 because, well, it was $10, should never have found its way into your wardrobe. Send it to a new home.
Acknowledge the fact you’re a different person now to who you were five, 10 or 20 years ago. Hobbies and interests change, so if you used to use your rollerblades every weekend but you haven’t been out on them in years, let them go.
For every new item you buy, get rid of two old ones.
Get into the habit of putting things away. If you find yourself constantly leaving the same things out, find a new, more accessible place to store them.
“Remember the 80/20 principle,” says Julie. “Most people use 20 per cent of their stuff 80 per cent of the time.” This is especially relevant where clothes are concerned, so start rotating your wardrobe. If you still avoid certain items, send them to the op shop.
If it’s offered, choose paperless billing and eliminate piles of mail while saving the rainforests.
When you hit the sales this January, follow this mantra — if in doubt, leave it out. If you’re unsure about something in the shop, you’ll probably be even less sure when you get it home.
