1. Understand that decluttering isn’t just physical—it’s emotional too.
Our homes are part of a growing category in environmental psychology aiming to look at our relationship to our living spaces, both in terms of what we choose to fill that space with and how it makes us feel. Not only do we fill our homes with items that are a reflection of ourselves and our interests, but we may also use those items as a way to feel connected to the outside world. (Through souvenirs, for example.) There is a fine line, however, between feeling like you have control of your possessions and feeling like your possessions have control of you. That is where we get clutter. However, all hope is not lost. Understanding that decluttering is probably going to be hard is the first step. Once you realize you’re going to have to sift through a range of emotions throughout the process, the physical act of decluttering can begin.
2. Don’t confuse decluttering with organizing.
Decluttering involves being intentional, not only when deciding what you actually need in your home, but also with the process itself. It is easy to think that when you’re done decluttering, everything will have a home in a clear bin that is labeled and color-coordinated, but that isn’t the case. Decluttering is one phase of the organizing process, but they are actually two separate things.
3. Start small, and set realistic expectations for what you’ll accomplish.
Treating decluttering as making small changes is vital to the process. You have to start small. Whether you choose to do this by decluttering for a small amount of time or in a small space, you are giving yourself the ability to make decisions efficiently, which is something some people struggle with.
4. Treat decluttering like an appointment.
Many of us hold off on decluttering because we’re crunched for time. It might seem like it should be easier to declutter now that we’re in our homes more due to the pandemic, but for many of us, our homes have also become our offices and our children’s schools. We’re all coping with the many ways this pandemic has upended our lives. It’s not as easy as just finding the time.
Block out time for decluttering on the calendar as a recurring appointment. Then it has more impact and you are much more intentional about doing the work.
5. Recruit a loved one to help you declutter, even virtually.
Having someone on hand to help helps you treat decluttering even more like an appointment. Also, the decision-making process might go much more smoothly with someone else helping you along the way, depending on whom you choose. Your family and friends may not have the exact same emotional attachment to items that you have, so they can help you see things in your home from a different perspective.
6. Accept that the decluttering process will be ongoing—and that’s okay.
We’re never done decluttering. When you first start decluttering, you should expect reaching even your small goals to potentially take a few tries. After that, you’ll still have work to do down the line as you acquire more things and the way you use what you already have changed. That may sound overwhelming, but it actually could be a source of relief, depending on how you view it. Thinking that decluttering is a one-and-done scenario can lead to hopelessness in the process. Even if you spend eight hours decluttering your home, that doesn’t mean you’ll never have to do it again.
Our needs change as we grow—as we settle down with a partner, or become a parent, or move into a new home—and you don’t have to hold onto things that aren’t growing with you. Decluttering can improve our mental well-being and change the way we live in our homes; all you need to do is start small and allow yourself some compassion.
Information provided by: By Ashley Lauretta (Self Magazine)