No hard and fast rules universally apply to everyone when it comes to decluttering. However, you can follow some general principles and guidelines to make the process easier:
- Start small: To prevent overwhelm and build momentum, begin with a small area or a specific category rather than tackling your entire living space or even a whole room.
- Set clear goals: Define your goals and the desired outcome of your decluttering efforts. A clear vision of your end game will help you stay focused and motivated.
- Set your timer for 15 minutes and focus on small, specific areas, such as a drawer, shelf, or countertop. It’s all about consistency. Dedicating a short amount of time daily prevents clutter from accumulating and almost effortlessly maintains a sense of order. You can swiftly sort items into categories—keep, donate, discard—making quick decisions to avoid overthinking.
- Declutter by category, not location: Rather than decluttering room by room, organize your belongings by category. For example, gather all your clothes from various areas of the house and declutter them as a single category. This will ensure you see the full extent of what you have and avoid unnecessary duplication.
- Practice the 80/20 rule: The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, suggests that we use 20% of our possessions 80% of the time. Remember this when deciding what to keep and what to let go of. If you don’t use or love an item regularly, consider letting it go.
- Consider sentimental value: Decluttering sentimental items can be challenging. While keeping things with emotional significance is important, be mindful of excessive sentimentality. Limit the number of sentimental items to those that truly bring you joy or have significant meaning.
- Be honest with yourself: When deciding whether to keep or let go of an item, ask yourself if it adds value to your life. If an item is broken, expired, or hasn’t been used in a long time, it may be time to part with it.
- Avoid excessive storage solutions: Before buying storage containers or organizing systems, declutter first. Only then will you have a clear idea of how much storage you truly need. Excessive storage solutions can sometimes lead to hoarding rather than decluttering.
- Prevent clutter from accumulating in the future by practicing regular maintenance: Once you have decluttered, make it a habit to assess your belongings and identify items that are no longer needed or loved.
Decluttering is a personal process, and what works for one person may not work for another. Adapt these rules to suit your needs, and always be kind to yourself. I’d love to hear how your decluttering journey is going. Please feel free to shoot me a message anytime.
