Christmas is over. You have lots new stuff. You have lots of old stuff. In fact, if you don’t do something about it soon, you are in danger of a friend or family member reporting you to that show Hoarders. Before things get that out of hand, be proactive and make a pre-New Year’s resolution to put things in order. Here are some great tips for helping you de-clutter and de-stress.
Pick a Room, Any Room. It can seem overwhelming to consider what needs to be done in each room of your home, so micromanage. Begin in one room and stay there, exclusively, until it is done. This does not mean that you have to complete your task at one given time. You might find it helpful to set a timer for one hour and give yourself a break for a bit before continuing. A break might include watching television for 30 minutes, having a snack, or taking a walk. Repeat for every room in your house.
Set Deadlines. While you should take breaks, do not give yourself unlimited time to get things done. Estimate how long it will reasonably take to clean out each room and stick to it. This will help you resist the temptation to take too many breaks!
Bring Designated Boxes or Bins into Each Room and label them “Keep,” “Charity/Garage Sale,” and “Discard.” If you are ambivalent about what to keep, think about whether you have used or even thought about an item in some time. Personally, with clothing, if I have not worn a garment in a year, chances are I never will. Then I decide if the item is still useable and can be donated to charity or sold at a garage sale. If not, into the “Discard” bin it goes. If you haven’t used it and it is likely no one else wants it either, there is no reason to keep it and add to the clutter.
Be DONE with the Bins! Now that they are all sorted, immediately throw away all bins that say “Discard.” Take the others to a charity drop-off or schedule your garage sale right away. For your “Keep” bins, put them in the rooms where those items will go to be relocated in a clean and clutter-free space (see next step).
One, Two, Three, CLEAN! Once your surfaces are cleared, you’ll want to make everything dust and dirt free. Go through your cleaning supplies and make sure you have everything you need before you begin: a fresh mop head, furniture polish, glass cleaner, etc. Gather up your supplies and bring them in to your newly de-cluttered room all at once so that you don’t have to go back and forth between your supply closet, and risk the temptation of becoming distracted elsewhere. A handy cleaning supply carrier is terrific for this task.
Re-distribute and Re-Appreciate. Now is the time to get your “Keep” boxes out and give the things you really do love and value an appropriate place on their clean and spacious surfaces.
Commit to Maintain. Once all the hard work of clearing and cleaning has been done, set aside 15-20 minutes a day to keep it that way. You’ll be glad you did!
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