What's the first step before organizing your space?
If you guessed decluttering, you're right. It's easy to get excited and want to skip decluttering altogether, assuming that organizing and systems are the solutions needed. While both organizing and systems help and might be what some people need, typically decluttering comes first - it can also be the hardest part. I wrote a post recently on 5 Decluttering Roadblocks here for this exact reason.
Right now it's a great time to really think about what matters most in our lives. What is meaningful, functional, useful (now) and reflects the life we want? Decluttering Basics is part 1 of a 3 part series followed by Organizing Basics and Maintenance Basics. So without being too repetitive, I'm sharing the step by step process for decluttering.
1.Visualize first
I may sound like a broken record with this one but my mentor has me visualize all the time and it's so helpful. Think of the life you want, the home you want to come home to and use that as your motivation especially as you go through the process. Come back to that visualization and the why behind the process as often as you need.
2. Start small
One corner, one box, one drawer, one hanging space at a time. Before you know it these small tasks will add up to one completed project.
3. Create categories/piles
Pull everything out from the space and start to create your piles: donate, relocate, recycle, trash, return, to do (e.g. dry clean, repair, return, etc.).
4. Ask yourself all the right questions
- Do I need this?
- Do I love this now?
- Have I used this lately? If not, do I see myself using this in the near future?
- Is this purely functional - if so, how many of this same item do I have? (btw...you don't need 20 pajama shirts or 5 can openers)
- Does it represent the person I want to be, the home and lifestyle I want? Does it flow with the space and life I envisioned? - Does it make me feel good now?
- Is this bringing me clarity or contributing to clutter?
5. Ask for help
Decluttering can be very personal but if you feel stuck ask for help from a friend, family member or professional help. It's great to have a different perspective during this process.
6. Deal with the piles created in #3
Whether you're decluttering and organizing on the same day or not be sure to deal with all of the piles. Drop off donations, move items to their correct location, take out the recycling, trash and drop off returns. Deal with the dry cleaning and/or repairs as soon as you can but keep them in a designated space in the meantime.
If you experience any roadblocks during the process read this post I referenced earlier and feel free contact me with any additional questions here.
Photo byAlyssa StrohmannonUnsplash
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