Is decluttering good for you & how to get a decluttering habit?
- Mar 10, 2024
- 12 min read
Created 08.02.
Update: 10.03.24
Many of us spend a lot of time choosing our belongings whether it's a new bag, book, or kitchen blind. We buy or acquire with pleasure and the intent to enjoy them, only to find them later at the bottom of a drawer or barely notice them as we use our space. How can we recapture that initial joy and revisit it whenever we choose to?
One way is to have fewer belongings, according to minimalist gurus, this can be very uplifting. Another way is to have our belongings well organized - A place for everything and everything in its place, the old saying goes. Put these two practices together and you have decluttering!
When our homes are less cluttered, it’s easier for us to be organized and being organised, saves us time and money. It also makes us feel better about ourselves because we are more in control of our belongings, and how we use them, this can help reduce our stress levels. Here are a few of the ways decluttering can help us:
If you can see how many bottles of condition, candles, or cakes you have it will stop you from over-purchasing, in much the same way as companies do, only on a smaller scale.
If something has an expiry date and you are conscious of it you'll have less waste, more money to spend on the things you want to, and feel less frustrated about throwing things away.
When you are making your grandmother's lasagna recipe you'll be able to find your favourite spatula and the garlic salt making it a more enjoyable cook.
When we don't have to hunt for those interview shoes, the only ones we can walk in that go with the outfit, we arrive on time and feeling good, less nervous and stressed, and more confident.
If decluttering can help us get that job, remember our grandma, save for our holiday, and enjoy our home more, why aren't we all doing it? Why doesn't every area of our home look like that Instagram guru's? And why does she annoy me so much? (The last one might just be me).
There are lots of reasons why we don't do it. Lack of time energy and know-how to name a few. Sometimes it goes deeper.
An Emotional Pull
It can be difficult to prepare ourselves emotionally to declutter, we know that we might come across things that cause us pain, and we are about to face those to decide whether to keep them or not. We naturally gravitate away from pain which is how we cope, but facing our fear whilst emotional, can put us back in control and help us move away from pain and loss.
Those of us who hold on to the most, sometimes strange things to the outside world, have often experienced an extreme loss that was outside their control, this can understandably make one want to hold on to things. Many parents can't let go of things from when their children were little, trying to hold onto a piece of the past.
Our brain tries to deal with emotional trauma by providing a means to help us to feel better. Hanging on to things is one way to feel better, at least for a moment. It can become a physical and mental health risk when we take it to the extreme and in the long term this action tends to make us feel worse overall. The things around us that we are holding onto then cause us more sadness, not less. A little reprogramming is needed and sometimes a little help from a friend. Decluttering provides a process to move from sadness and fear into hope and purpose.
It is, however, good that we want to hold on to things that cause us bliss or happiness each time we encounter them, but this must not be allowed to impact our daily lives. It's important to keep balance when you are decluttering. I love Marie Kondo, the Japanese declutter queen's way of holding every object, checking if it sparks joy, thanking it for its service, and moving in through to another space. I know this won't be for everybody, and it takes time to do, but it works for me. If you're not familiar with Marie Kondo's work she has a TV show and a website Konmari.com.
“Do a bit, you’ll feel better, do a lot, you’ll feel even better, do it regularly and this area of your life is now under your control“
Getting Started
Getting started is the hardest part. Here are some of our best tips to make sure that you’re not just moving things around.
The most important part of any decluttering activity is choosing to start, making a conscious decision to do something is often the hardest part.
Little and often works well, making you feel better every day.
I sometimes have a shopping embargo on a particular area when things are getting out of hand. This stops us from making an area worse because we are not allowed to add to it until that area has been sorted.
Never take something you are offered that you don't really want or need.
Instead, learn to say thank you for thinking of me but it's not for me.
Spring is a great time of year for those bigger projects because it brings more light, making us feel better after the cold winter months.
If you’re not feeling very motivated, grab a coffee and watch an episode of Maria Kondo, Stacey Soloman, etc. This might just motivate you to get started or read on...
Things you'll need to start
Two bin bags one for rubbish and one for recycling. These are to transport items to your own bins.
Cleaning cloths, dusters, or wipes for when you reach the base of those spaces.
A pen and paper or your mobile phone for note taking. A marker pen and some sticky labels can be useful too, enabling you to identify groups of things easily.
Recycling boxes for the charity shop, friends, vinted, etc.
A decent-sized space to work in helps if you can, but it should be as close to the area the objects came from as possible. Remove any breakables, which might become casualties.
I like to put on some favourite tunes in the background whilst I work and grab a cuppa to keep me going.
Making Time
Before you start consider, how much time you have available and how long the task is likely to take. If you don't have enough time available either break the project down into manageable chunks or don't start it until you can free up the time needed.
If it's a big project it can be good to get some help which you'll need to arrange in advance. I'd rather do it on my own if I can, I need my headspace to be clear, and doing it alone helps that for me. I’ve seen posts recently talking about doing a big Declutter in a weekend. That’s not for me, I don’t want to go back to work on Monday feeling completely exhausted and deprived of my weekend. I prefer to declutter room by room and sometimes cupboard by cupboard if it’s really bad. The important thing to remember is that you can stop at any time you choose, and then choose to start again.
Where to start
Here are two great ways to figure out where to start:
You could start with something really easy that’s been bothering you and get a quick win. The idea is that this will give you momentum and you’ll go on to tackle the bigger areas.
The second method is to eat the frog start with the biggest and most difficult and when you’ve got that one done you’ll feel much better and able to tackle the others.
Finishing the job
This might sound strange to talk about finishing a job that we’ve yet to start, but the process must impact positively our enjoyment of the space in the long run otherwise we will feel worse and not want to try decluttering again. If we sort out some things, put them into the relevant pile, and don’t finish the job, then we are just making a bigger problem than we started with. Instead be sure to take out the rubbish, visit the charity shop, et cetera. before you finish each session.
How to avoid not finishing
Once I have as much bagged/boxed rubbish as I can carry, I take it to the bins. Once I have a similar amount to sell or gift I take it to somewhere out of sight or a separate area where it can be dealt with later. For me, that’s usually the car or the vinted area and I make sure to finish the whole job before the charity shop closes.
The process
Once you've gathered the things you need and decided where and when to start here, is a process you can follow:
Hold every object, just for a moment, and decide if it’s going back, or if it’s going somewhere else. Put the things that are going back to one side, grouping them with like things as you go. Put the rubbish, things you can't sell, or gift into the appropriate bag or box. If an item needs dusting you could dust it as you go or defer to the next stage. If it needs additional action such as a repair, make a note and put it to one side. If I’m not sure that I want to keep an object, it goes in a separate box that I look at towards the end of the job. It’s OK not to be sure, just don’t let being unsure slow your progress. Also, I tend to make a separate box or pile as I declutter for the not staying here items. This is for items that have a home in another part of the house, I find it much easier to move things out at the end of the declutter than wandering around the building. If I find old food or something equally grim, I would bag it and put it in the main bin immediately.
Once you have everything out of the drawer, cupboard box et cetera that you are working on, organize the content you intend to keep into groups or sets. Now is a good time to clean them if you haven't done so yet. It's well worth splitting contents into smaller and smaller groups and having a container for each. This way your content will stay where you put it, saving time in the future. Since I've separated garlic presses from tin openers, and housed them in an open takeaway carton each, I've never had to hunt for one whilst the dinner burns!
If you are happy to return items to their original space, do it. If you think you will want to move some or all of the items later you can put them in a bag, and label the bag so that you know what's in there without looking. Then make a note of what's on the bag label plus where it will be going, if you know yet, in your notebook. If you're not sure how to house your content read on...
Containers
When you have items in suitable containers it makes finding your stuff much easier and keeps drawers and cupboards tidier too. Finding suitable containers can be tricky. I never throw away takeaway containers, it's amazing how useful they are with or without the lid. As I sort, I keep an eye out for anything that could be used as a container which I intend to part with. These often provide a home for groups of items. If ever I get a pretty tin you can bet it will become a permanent fixture somewhere in the house.
If you don’t have a suitable container right now, put the items in a bag or box, depending on what they are then start a "Things to purchase" list in your notebook. Describe the type of container you think will work best and the size you think you need. I would not buy containers yet because it's likely that you'll find other items you want to group with them during another declutter session, or you might find you already own a suitable container so you didn't need to purchase one. If you decide later that another location might be more suitable for your collection then the storage you buy might not be the right one.
I’m a massive fan of IKEA Drona boxes, they are huge and can be packed flat when not in use. They are incredibly sturdy and pretty too. They look lovely on top of wardrobes or in the Kallax units they partner with, and low-cost. For things in regular use, I like open containers. That way you can just grab the item I need without upsetting the remaining content. Pretty tins are great for housing contents you want to use on a project such as baking or sewing items. I use glass jars with vinyl labels for things in regular use that need to be sealed. It always makes me feel organised when I pull out items in the kitchen that I've decanted into a pretty jar with a label I made myself. You can buy these in the Bliss Boutique
Getting rid of the surplus
When you have a box full for the charity shop or things for friends move it to the car. When you have a bag full for the tip, also move it to the car, be sure to keep the bags separate though! I tend to use the boot for rubbish and the backseat for donations to charity and friends. When the car is full, I distribute it I always try to do this on the same day as the clutter.
If I didn’t have the car, I would put everything in an area out of sight, label the bags/boxes, and arrange collection ASAP. That way you won't be tempted to put things back.
If you have bigger items of furniture etc. and you don’t want to sell them on Marketplace, eBay et cetera. Local services such as Emmaus North Staffs will come and collect the items to pass on to others in need.
There are some really good rubbish collection services, if it’s bagged and boxed, it will take less time and cost you less. Make sure that they are a reputable company to avoid being involved in fly-tipping. At the end of a big declutter, you’ll be able to see how much you have to be collected. I wouldn't hire a skip for decluttering as there are so many rules about what you can and can't put in them.
Other options include hiring a van for distribution yourself or asking for a friend or family member to help you. This is often the better option financially, especially if you have an opportunity to be a good friend and do something for them in return, maybe helping them with their decluttering?
Celebrating
At the end of a job well done, or a difficult job started be sure to reward yourself for your success. I often put a pleasant item that I've discovered during the decluttering, aside for further viewing. This might be a book to read, a sweater to try, or a vase I think might work somewhere in my home. It's wonderful to discover things you've discarded. However you celebrate, take a moment to bask in the glory of your work. Well Done!!
The future of decluttering
Once you've done a few spaces, you'll find it much easier to declutter, you might even become a little obsessed. I like to do some decluttering every week. I usually do the worst spaces first, working down a list of the next worst. I find it satisfying to be able to find my stuff, and gifting the things I no longer need makes me feel good too. It took a little practice but having less stuff keeps my headspace tidier. I don't operate a one-in-one out with my clothes, but if I'm buying two or three things I would remove some of the others. I also make intentional purchases only and ask myself if I need something before I move towards the till. Do be sure to celebrate those things that make you happy, and have those precious memories accessible. You could put them on display or have a box you can look through when you feel down, keeping them close to you can make you feel better.
A recent success story
A couple of weeks ago as part of my regular decluttering I, decluttered under the kitchen sink. I found three lots of dishwasher tablets which will save me £15 (I was about to order more). I found four spray fresheners, which were distributed around the building to great effect, making the whole place smell lovely. Two weeks later, when I had to have a new tap fitted and the whole cupboard contents had to be removed, I wasn’t embarrassed to have the contents piled up on the kitchen table, taking it out, and putting it back took hardly any time and was stress-free.
Download your free 30 days to declutter plan:
This is the ultimate, most flexible declutter chart we could design - just for you.
This chart will enable you to:
Plan your time and what to do when you choose to
Have a couple of free days for catch-up or time off.
Do it whenever you choose: The days do not have to be one after another
Get a reward on each completed task with a sticker, smiley face, or tic.
Reprint whenever you want to repeat
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Decluttering with purpose
In addition to the recycling, repurposing, and charity giving away we've discussed in this post, you might like to consider taking things one step further. On your free downloadable chart (above) you could upgrade your sticker to a £1 coin and get someone to sponsor you for every day you complete. That way your favourite charity will be £30 richer. It might not seem a lot but it's likely to be worth about £90 in sales they don't have to generate, plus they are still getting your giveaways!
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