Today I wanted to talk about the trickiest clutter and how to overcome them. We get caught up in a range of emotions and stress around these areas, so let’s talk about strategies to support when decluttering the trickiest clutter.
Piles of stuff
Prevention is key here. How easy is it for piles of clutter to accumulate around the house, albeit a dining table, side table, chair. It happens because we don’t have systems in place to prevent it. Let’s start by clearing the clutter using the 4 box method. If you are not familiar, you will need a basket or box for donations, items to sell, items for the bin and items to keep. Sorting as you go through the items will keep things contain and easy to deal with. With each pile, go through the items and declutter into these categories. Also, think about finding everything you keep a designated home or space for it to live. This will make it easier to tidy things away.
Another strategy is the 5 things tidy method. With this method, you are looking to do the bare minimum in the following categories: laundry, rubbish, dishes, items that have a home and items that don’t have a home. Gather laundry into the laundry basket. Put rubbish in a bin bag. Collect dishes and put by the sink or dishwasher. Put items that have a home into a basket and items that don’t have a home into a basket. Once you have done this, the bare minimum, it’s time to go back to each category and action each pile of things. Put a load of laundry in the washing machine. Load and start the dishwasher. Put the rubbish bag into the bin outside (recycle what you can). Now put things away that have a home. The box of items that don’t have a home is what will take the most time. These are the items that need consideration as to whether to keep or not. Consider where would be a suitable home and put it in its new home.
Clearing the piles of stuff is going to reduce the visual clutter, as well as reduce stress and anxiety. The trickiest clutter can have a big impact on your wellbeing.
Freebie clutter
Hand-me-downs and second hand items can be an absolutely blessing, if they are needed. However, often they end up being a burden and not quite what was needed. Learning to say no to items that you know you won’t utilise is key here. Having an understanding of what you already have and what you are needing will help you to make these decisions when items are offered to you. It’s ok to say no, as this means that someone else will benefit, who perhaps needed it more than you did. Ask yourself if it is something that you will use in the next 12 months. If you are unsure, then perhaps tell the person you need to think about it. That thinking time will help you to go home and assess whether it is something you really need.
Sentimental clutter
This is often the trickiest clutter to declutter, which is often why it is left to last. And that’s ok! Often we want to keep sentimental items because of who gave them to us, but they aren’t always items that we would necessarily choose ourselves to have in our home. It’s important to assess whether it is worth taking up the space in your home. If you are worried about the memories attached to the item, have you considered taking a photo to help as an aide? It certainly takes up less room and allows you to let go of the physical item.
Aspirational clutter
When we get new ideas or take on new hobbies we often make purchases beyond what we need or end up getting side tracked and never get started with the hobby. It’s time to get real with ourselves and give it a timeline for when we need to start using the items. If you haven’t used it in the last 12 months and are unlikely to use in the next 12 months, is it something that you want to continue to store? Be realistic about the capacity you have.
Bargain clutter
Finding a bargain in the shops when out, or during the sales can be deadly. They are impulse purchases at its finest. But are they items you necessarily needed? Sales should be avoided at all costs. But if you do need to venture into them, always shop with a list and stick to it. Remember to keep hold of receipts, so that if you do change your mind, you have the ability to return it.
Rubbish clutter
Rubbish clutter can easily build up within the home. This can sometimes come from laziness, but often due to lack of time. Little and often with this area is key. Regularly empty bins within the home so that there is always space for the rubbish. Once a week grab a bin bag and go round the house collecting the rubbish and disposing of it. Look out for broken items too.
Duplicates clutter
As you go through your daily life, think about the similar items that you reach for and consider why you go for these over others. If you have a selection of duplicate items, choose your favourites and let go of the excess. One is enough. Get in the habit of decluttering these items as you discover them on a daily basis, such as duplicate cooking utensils whilst you are cooking your favourite dish. Do you need 5 spatulas?
Just in case clutter
There are a lot of emotions attached to this type of clutter. The expectations, the monetary value. Ask yourself some key questions, such as when did you buy it? Are you likely to use it in the next 12 months? Set yourself a deadline of when you think you might use it by. If you pass this deadline, you will at least feel like you have given it a chance, but might help you to reassess the need for the item.
Furniture clutter
We have this urge to fill every bit of space within our homes. It’s hard to embrace the emptiness as this often is associated with a lack of money or social standing. The reality is, that space is more valuable than you think. It has the power to free up your thinking and reduce stress. Sell or donate any furniture that is not really being used or is storing stuff for the sake of storing stuff (get decluttering inside these spaces).
Gift clutter
The key to avoiding gift clutter is to get in early. Talk with friends and family about what you would like as gifts. If you feel uncomfortable doing so then try asking them about what they would like first. It will open up the conversation with a focus on someone else. Discuss thoughtful and meaningful gifts that would add value to your life.
The trickiest clutter can cause the most emotional toll on your body and mind. Look at reducing down and being strategic.
Rachel, Declutter Your Life X
For more information check out my youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/RachelNoakes
For more information, check out this post: https://declutteryourlife.co.uk/decluttering/november-little-acts-of-decluttering/
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