AD | Affiliate Links
Spring has finally sprung, and many of us associate the season with a chance to spring clean, declutter and take a fresh approach for the next chapter of the year. Decluttering is one of the things many of us will have on our minds right now, but not all of us know where to start. With that in mind, here are five tips to help you get started with decluttering, and they might not be what you think.
Contents
Start fast
One of the best tips for decluttering is to start fast and throw yourself into it. But the biggest hurdle is starting. This is when you need to ease yourself into it. Here are a few ways that you can do that.
Five minutes each day
It can start with just five minutes each day, but over time, that could significantly impact the number of things you have in your home. Set a timer and just start looking around your home for things you want to donate, needs to be recycled, or perhaps rehomed elsewhere.
Give one item away each day
It might not sound significant, but if you can, find one item a day that you want to give away. In ten days, you will have taken ten things out of your home; over the course of a year, that will be 365 things. It soon adds up, and as you become motivated to donate or get rid of stuff you don’t want, you might naturally progress on to more or to declutter more effectively.
Fill an empty bag
Another great way to start quickly is grab a bag and just go around your home to fill it. This could be specifically for donation, recycling, or even things to sell.
Be organised with it
Another thing you can do would be to be organised with your decluttering. It might not make sense to do that, but it can help you to stay on top of things and track the progress that you are making. Here are some of the things that you could do.
Create a checklist of what needs to be decluttered
Have yourself a list of what you want to declutter and how you plan on doing it. It can be so satisfying to start ticking things off the list to help you stay on track.
Take before and after pictures
Another great way to be organised and also to track your progress is to take before and after pictures. This can be incredibly satisfying as you start to see the difference in your hard work and effort.
Have fun with it
One of the most important tips is to have fun with it. Not everyone is a natural-born clean, and tidy person, so the initial motivation to start can often be lacking. But having fun with it could be just what is needed to help you tackle the tricky areas of your home and make a difference.
Switch up the music
Make sure to switch up your music and enjoy the time decluttering. You can dance around and have fun with it. The music can help pass the time and be a little bit of a distraction, helping you get more done than you realise.
Set challenges
Try and set yourself some challenges to help you get through some of the more significant tasks you have. It could be a set amount to aim for that day. For example, 12 things to donate, 12 things to sell, and 12 things you can recycle.
Take it seriously
It is essential that you take it seriously. After all, you want to achieve something within your home. Here are a few ways that can help you do that.
Focus on one area at a time
One of the first things you can do would be to focus on one area at a time. This means one drawer or cupboard or even one room. The concentration of one place can help you complete the task you start and track the progress, and see the difference.
Try the four box method
An excellent strategy to try would be to use boxes when working through the things you have. A box for donation, a box for selling or rehoming, a box for recycling, and a box to keep. Look at every item you have, for example, items in your wardrobe, and decide which box it needs to go in. It might take a bit of time, but this is one of the most thorough ways you can declutter your home.
Find your motivation
Finally, what is your motivation? Is it to make some extra cash, clear your head or even downsize or move home with just the things you want and need in your life? Whatever it is, take the time to find your motivation so that you can remember why you embarked on this task.
Hopefully, these tips will help you to start to declutter your home.
