3 Decluttering Tips for the New Year

Perhaps that guy in Gremlins 2: The New Batch said it best.  “You make a place for things, things come!”  So the last thing you want to do is have a cluttered home or office full of nothing but lifeless, impractical things.  Not that a bunch of little monsters will be attracted to you…(er, though there are some strange hoarding horror stories you might want to read) but the point is well taken.  Collecting too much stuff is only going to compromise the beauty, practicality and tidiness of your home.  Here are three de-cluttering tips.

1. Start with the Smaller Things

Don’t throw out that old dusty billiards table out just yet.   We know how it hurts to take away the largest and most cherished (but still useless) features.  Instead, focus on getting rid of smaller things.  For example, try going into your closet and getting rid of clothes you hardly ever wear.  Put it in the bag!  Next, go into another room in your house and choose something that you haven’t used in about a year or so.  Put it in the bag.  Do you see what’s happening?  You’re slowly becoming accustomed to the idea of de-cluttering your home, one object at a time.  Start with the smaller things and work your way up to the major features.  Before you know it, you’ll have ten bags full of stuff that you’re ready to toss.  Now quickly get rid of those bags before you have a chance to think it over!  Give them to charity or to a friend who will make use of them.  Congratulations!  You have beaten the game of hoarding!

2. Take a Day Off

De-cluttering takes time.  You may have to take a day off or perhaps a week off, depending on the size of your home.  Because you are in a delicate state of mind (as in, “Nooo!  We can’t get rid of that!”) you need some time to carefully organize bags and boxes, clearly label them (so as to prevent accidental trashing), and make sound decisions not based on last-minute thinking.  If you’re in a state of panic and rushed thinking, you may not want to get rid of anything!

3. Stop Planning Ahead

Okay, this is not a lesson you hear every day.  However, when it comes to de-cluttering your house, it is not a good idea to think ahead—especially months and months ahead into the uncertain future.  We know what you’re thinking.  What if you need that old set of pans someday?  What if you need that giant dresser (that you never actually use)?  Stop thinking about “What Ifs”.  In reality, you rarely ever find a use for all these “someday valuable” things.  The sad part is, most of these “someday valuables” are dirt cheap, so if you do actually need them, all you have to do is walk to a thrift store and get one!

De-cluttering is not easy, but everyone feels better after clearing the living space and making room for New Year changes!