Whether you have a relocation on the horizon or you’re simply ready to tidy and organize your home, decluttering is an excellent step to take to eliminate unnecessary and unwanted items.
By completing a thorough decluttering process, you have the power to put your home in tip-top shape with as little clutter as possible. This reset can also make the packing process infinitely easier if you’re preparing to complete a move, as you’ll only be moving with the items you really want and need. Allow us to walk you through basic dos and don’ts to make the most of your declutter!
Do…
- Start with Bothersome Areas
If you have an area in your home that causes you the most stress, consider starting your decluttering process with this spot. We all have certain spots that have accumulated clutter or need an organizational makeover, whether it’s a specific room or a storage area such as closets or cabinets. Tackle these bothersome areas first, as you will likely be more motivated to handle this clutter and make progress in these areas. As you work through these high-clutter spaces, you will gain momentum as you eliminate more items, empowering you to handle other parts of your home with more efficiency.
- Work in Small Chunks
Decluttering isn’t the sort of task that you should try to speed run in a single day. Instead, work through the process in small chunks so you can sustain momentum and handle the task with minimal stress. To keep the decluttering sessions feeling manageable, either set small goals such as a closet or part of a room or set a timer for around an hour or so. Anything too long can feel draining and stressful, sometimes leading to decision fatigue. Optimal results are achieved in a decluttering process little by little.
- Sort Your Items into Categories
As you declutter your home, approach the task by sorting your belongings into categories. These categories are typically donate, sell, trash, and keep. Use boxes or bags to effectively sort these items into clear groups that you can easily transport where they need to go. This step allows you to handle your items according to the best approach for their declutter, depending on aspects such as their condition.
- Donate and Recycle
As previously mentioned, your belongings will go into different categories depending on what you want to do with them following your declutter. For the items you’re not keeping, the ideal solution is to get rid of them in a way that gives them a second life. Donating or recycling these items is the most eco-friendly option, as these solutions eliminate waste as much as possible. Although items in poor condition may not be able to be donated, recycling the materials to the best of your ability is a great way to declutter your items. This way, you can also feel good about getting rid of your items, without the guilt of creating unnecessary waste.
- Follow the 90/90 Rule
Struggling to decide if you should declutter certain items? One approach to guide your decision-making is the 90/90 rule. This rule states that if you haven’t used an item in the past 90 days and you don’t foresee yourself using it in the next 90 days, then it’s probably time to get rid of it. You can tweak this rule according to your needs; for example, some people change this to 60 days or 120 days. For items that are easier or less expensive to replace, this rule can be incredibly helpful, as infrequent usage is a valid reason to get rid of these items since you could easily get them again if need be.
Don’t…
- Rush Through the Process
Decluttering can be a long and taxing task depending on how much clutter you need to sort through. Although you may be tempted to rush through the job to get it done, the reality is that a thorough declutter can’t be completed hastily. As mentioned before, the task should be done in small chunks so you can take your time to be detailed about the process. Make sure you take your time, allowing you to eliminate as many items as possible.
- Keep Items for Sentimentality
Understandably, there will be at least a few items that you keep for sentimental reasons. We all have items like this, and it’s fine to keep some of them. However, avoid keeping a large amount of belongings for this reason. Although many items may have memories attached to them, this reason can result in significant clutter remaining in your home. Be as discerning as possible to make sure you keep only the most special items, rather than unnecessary belongings.
- Tackle It Alone
It can be difficult to declutter on your own. Instead, enlist the help of loved ones to help you get the job done more efficiently. If you live with family or roommates, make sure they assist you through the process of decluttering your items. If you live alone, count on trusted friends and family to assist you whenever possible. Not only does this help you to work through your home more quickly, but it also can be really helpful when you start to lose momentum. Your loved ones will be able to provide a more objective viewpoint about the items you can’t decide on.
- Do Too Much At Once
Trying to complete hours of decluttering at once will only burn you out and exhaust you. Avoid doing too much at once, and if you feel like you’re losing steam, give yourself a break. This is why it’s important to allow ample time ahead of a move or a goal date so you can break the process down into more manageable segments instead of attempting to power through lengthy sessions.
- Pressure Yourself
Although you might have big goals for your decluttering, don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t get rid of as much as you were anticipating. You might see others who look like they have pristine, clutter-free homes, but this typically isn’t the reality. Allow yourself to declutter in whatever way works for you, and remember that you don’t need to have the most organized home in the world in order to deem your decluttering as successful.
Declutter Like An Expert!
With these dos and don’ts, decluttering can be completed efficiently and effectively. If you’re decluttering ahead for a relocation and want some help with your move, look no further than Coral Springs Moving & Storage, your trusted South Florida Movers.
Coral Springs has been successfully facilitating moves since 1974, providing enhanced convenience and professional solutions for our customers at competitive prices. With our packing, moving, and storage solutions, you can anticipate a relocation completed with ease. Want to learn more? Request a free quote today via our website, or call us at 954-752-7366.