Clutter does more than just eat up open space in your home and turn into an eyesore. It collects dust, hides mildew and turns into a health hazard. It steals your peace of mind as it makes relaxing more difficult. It’s important to clear the clutter out of your house, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Assemble Four boxes
Before you start, gather up four decent size boxes. One will be for trash, another for items you will donate, one for belongings you can sell and one for things that belong in another room. With this arsenal in hand, you’re ready to start plowing through the piles and reclaiming your home.
Get Up, Stretch, and Get Started
The hardest part can be getting started. Whether you are doing a little in the evenings or on the weekends, it’s hard finding the energy to get started. Rather than going through lengthy processes as you try to prepare yourself mentally, shift gears and jump in with both feet. Once you get started, it will be easier to keep going. If you find the process is too overwhelming, then set a timer and make a commitment to work for a certain length of time.
Ask the Right Questions
Decluttering can also turn into a trip down memory lane, but that can prove dangerous. Take a moment to enjoy the memories, but then start asking yourself the right questions. They are:
Do I use it?
Do I need it?
Do I love it?
If the answer to all three is no, then the item should either go in the trash, the donation box or the sell box. Otherwise, put it in the box for items that belong in another room. Try not to second guess your decisions.
Dealing with Full Boxes
The next challenge comes with handling the boxes as they fill up. If it’s the box for other rooms, then walk through the house with it and put items in those rooms. The garbage box can go straight to the trash. Try to resist the temptation to look through it one more time.
Reclaiming Space Along the Way
Items for sale can net you a nice profit, but you need somewhere to put them while you are sorting through the clutter. If the garage is full, then consider renting a storage facility in Concord, CA. In addition to putting your boxes with sale items in the shed, you can also store larger pieces like furniture that you want to sell.
Decluttering doesn’t have to be hard. The most difficult for part for many people will be taking a deep breath and getting started. You don’t have to start with any specific room or area. What’s important is that you choose a place you can access and start working through the clutter. Move through the house one area at a time, and you’ll have a clean home in no time.