ALL THINGS DIVINE

Decluttering is hard work.  It takes commitment and dedication to get things moving.  I’m not going to sugar coat it. 

One thing that stops people from decluttering their homes is the idea that they don’t have the time. Completely paralyzed by this, many people never start.  It feels too daunting or overwhelming. 

I definitely experienced this myself and used to say the same thing.  I work full time and have two small kids so trust me.  I get it.  It’s not easy!

But by following the tips that I am about to share, you can simplify, remove the excess, and make home peaceful again.

I know there are a ton of approaches and tips out there, but here’s my advice.  Nothing worked until I focused on these 5 things:

1.Shift Your Mindset

Before you pick up anything, you need to change your mindset. It's going to feel like you'll never finish, but if you let your “feels” dictate your decisions, then you won’t be able to experience the life changing impact decluttering can really have on you.

You have to change the way you think and decide, is my clutter comforting or crippling?  Don’t wait until you reach a breaking point like I did.  Eventually, I said enough is enough and I got through it. 

But honestly, it could’ve gone a lot smoother if I was more open to finding a solution to the problem and focused on changing my mindset in the beginning.

2. Stop buying STUFF

I want to address this up front because if you keep purchasing recklessly, decluttering won’t even matter.

If you keep buying faster than you can remove, you aren’t changing your home environment at all. 

It's simple math, but let’s think about this.  If you have 5 items of clothing that you plan to donate, but go shopping the next day and buy 8 tops, what changed?

I know it seems harmless and you might justify it by saying the 5 things you got rid of were bulkier or you now have extra room to welcome the 8, but really think about it. If you already have closet space issues, then you’ve done nothing to make the situation better.

So stop bringing in new items.  Get your home in order, then be intentional about your future purchases.  You don’t want to end up in this spot again.

3. Plan 

Instead of saying, I need to declutter my entire home, ask yourself, how much time do I have to work on one area or one category?

I know you’re going to say, “I don’t have any!  That’s the problem!”  But think about the amount of time you spend on your phone. I’m sure you also have a favorite show that you binge watch. 

There is your time.  Am I telling you to give these up?  Absolutely not, but the point is there is time for the things that you want to do.

I used to practice the same routine everyday.  Get up, get the kids ready for school, work, pick them up, feed them, then put them to bed.  At that point I would eat, grab my phone and prop pillows in my bed so that I could sit up while I scrolled on my phone before I went to sleep.  Then I would wake up, stare at all the annoying piles of laundry, the clutter on my dresser, and put myself in a bad mood before I even brushed my teeth.  Day in and day out of this.  It was depressing and I had to change it.

Trust me.  I know it’s hard and I’m not trying to over simplify.  I’m simply saying that you should think about time differently.  15 minutes can really change things.  This is actually another tip I’ll go into detail later.

Let’s go back to planning though.  Here’s what I recommend:

Break down one area or category.  Write down all the steps it would take to completely declutter that space.  Start with something that is low effort.  Don’t pick the box of family heirlooms. It involves way too much decision making and chances are you’re probably emotionally attached. 

The KonMari method suggests you start with clothes, but I honestly believe you can start anywhere as long as it does not require a lot of thinking.  A junk drawer is a good candidate.  You will be able to tell which items belong in the trash very quickly. 

Again, forget the whole house. Pick ONE thing and write.  The list might be long or short, but the beauty is you’ve narrowed your focus.

4. Break it up

Once you’re committed and you are ready to declutter, the best way to tackle your home is by doing it in small increments.  It doesn’t matter what size home you have or the amount of clutter.  If you work long hours, raise kids, or take care of family members, you need to work in 15 – 30 minute blocks.  PERIOD. 

There is a catch though.  You have to be consistent.  This is super important.  You are not going to experience a major shift if you declutter when you feel like it.  You have to continue to make this a priority if you want to really make a dent and create a simple home. 

5. Schedule

Now that you’ve shifted your mindset, created a plan, and are ready to work in 15 – 30 minute blocks, it’s time to schedule.  You want to put it on your calendar and set a reminder.  It doesn’t have to be the same time every day.  It doesn’t even have to be every day.  Figure out what works best, put it on your calendar, and set an alarm if you have to. 

Remember, the key is to commit.  Make this a non negotiable and stick to your time slot by setting a timer.  Once the timer goes off, stop what you're doing and move on. Resume the next day or whenever the next declutter session is scheduled for. This will avoid overwhelm as you go through your step by step plan.

You Got This!

I really hope you find these tips helpful. If you take this approach, you will get the little wins that will jumpstart your decluttering journey. With each improved area, you will feel so empowered and build the confidence you need to continue. I truly believe you can do this.