Simple Decluttering Tips to Organize Your Home and Reduce Stress

Feeling overwhelmed by the clutter in your home? You're not alone! Struggling with clutter is a common challenge, especially for those with busy schedules. I, for one, have experienced the stress and frustration that comes with a cluttered home. When life gets busy, it's easy for things to pile up, even for the most organized.

In a world where we're constantly bombarded with information and distractions, having a clutter-free home can be a sanctuary for our mind and soul. A clean, organized space can reduce stress and give us peace of mind.

So, for busy people like us, with multiple responsibilities, I will share valuable insights about understanding clutter and how to effectively deal with it so we can achieve a nice clean home.

Understanding Clutter

Clutter isn’t just a bunch of things scattered around your home. It represents all those little decisions and actions you’ve been putting off. Every misplaced item is like a nagging reminder—a book you meant to read, a sweater you planned to fold, or a gadget you intended to fix. When these small tasks pile up, they create a visual mess that can make it hard to think clearly and function well. According to studies, clutter can increase anxiety and reduce productivity – I think we can all attest to that!

The Psychology of Clutter

Our surroundings have a big impact on our minds. When you’re surrounded by clutter, your brain is constantly processing the mess, making you feel stressed and overwhelmed. It’s like each item is calling out for your attention, leaving you mentally drained and exhausted. Clutter can also make you feel guilty and ashamed because it highlights disorganization and unaccomplished goals. When you think about clutter, you might think it’s the physical mess you see in your space, but actually clutter comes in many forms.

Types of Clutter

Not all clutter is the same. Knowing the different types can help you deal with them better:

1. Visible Clutter: These are the things you see every day that are out of place, like magazines, clothes, dirty dishes, and more. A cluttered countertop filled with mail, empty cups, and random items is a common example. These visible messes not only make your space look untidy but can also make it harder to focus and feel relaxed. Addressing these areas first can create an immediate sense of order and accomplishment.

2. Hidden Clutter: These are the things tucked away in drawers, closets, and storage spaces. You might not see them, but they still clutter your mental space.

3. Digital Clutter: Nowadays, clutter isn't just physical. Digital clutter, like unread emails, messy files, and constant app notifications, can be just as overwhelming.

4. Sentimental Clutter: These are items you keep for emotional reasons, like gifts, souvenirs, or inherited objects. They hold memories but can take up a lot of space in your home.

Now that we understand what clutter is and its different forms, the next step is figuring out how to address it. Do we need to prepare for decluttering? How does preparing make a difference? The answer lies in your mindset and approach.

Why It's Important to Declutter

Living in a clutter-free home has numerous benefits. It can:

• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Increase productivity
• Improve your focus
• Enhance your mood
• Give you a sense of accomplishment

When your space is organized, it's easier to find things, complete tasks, and relax. Plus, you'll be amazed at how much more spacious and inviting your home feels.

Decluttering isn't just about cleaning up. It's about creating a space that feels good and helps you feel better. When you start small, like tackling a single drawer or setting a timer for 15 minutes, you're taking steps toward a more organized life. Each little effort adds up and soon enough, your home will be a haven of calm and order. Taking some time to prepare is super important because it makes the whole process smoother and less stressful. Here's how to get started:

How to Prepare to Declutter?

First, it's important to recognize that decluttering is not just a physical task but a mental one. Start by setting clear goals and priorities. Decide which areas need the most attention and what items are truly necessary. This helps in creating a structured plan and reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Next, break the task into smaller, manageable steps. Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, which can be overwhelming, focus on one area at a time. For example, start with a single drawer in your kitchen. Clean it out entirely, decide what items to keep, donate, or discard, and then organize what remains. This makes the process less daunting and allows you to see progress, which can be motivating. Focus on one section at a time.

Additionally, consider the emotional attachment you have to certain items. Sometimes, we hold onto things because of sentimental value or the fear of letting go. Reflect on why you’re keeping certain items and whether they truly add value to your life. If not, it might be time to part ways.

Finally, maintain a clutter-free environment by adopting habits that prevent the accumulation of unnecessary items. For instance, make it a rule to donate or discard one item for every new item you bring into your home. Regularly assess your belongings by scheduling a monthly review to weed out things you no longer need. Additionally, make decluttering a routine practice by setting aside a specific day each month dedicated to organizing and tidying up your space. This consistent approach helps in keeping your space organized and your mind at ease.

Ready to get started? Let’s dive into some practical tips and strategies for decluttering. These tips have made a huge difference for many people including me, and they can do the same for you.

Top Decluttering Tips and Tricks To Get Started

Here are some of the top general tips and tricks to help you get started:

1. Look Around Your Space

Before you start tossing things out, take a good look around. Spot the areas that need the most help and think about why they've gotten cluttered. Figuring out why can help you stop clutter from coming back.

A good tip that I find helpful for myself is creating a checklist on areas I need to tackle. It's a good way to plan your time, and at the same time, keep track of all things you want to accomplish as you tidy your space.

For example, if you notice that your kitchen counter is constantly piled up with mail and keys, set up a designated spot for these items near the entrance. If your living room is cluttered with magazines and books, consider adding some shelves or a magazine rack to keep them organized. In the bedroom, if clothes are always thrown on the floor, invest in a laundry basket or additional storage options. By identifying the root cause and implementing specific solutions, you can maintain a clutter-free environment.

2. Focus on High-Impact Areas

Start with the areas that have the most impact on your daily life, such as your kitchen, living room, or bedroom. Decluttering these spaces first will give you a sense of achievement and make a noticeable difference in how you feel at home. These are the places where you spend the most time, so creating order here can significantly improve your daily routine and overall mood.

For special room-by-room decluttering tips, we also share Room-by-Room Decluttering Tips. These tips can be super helpful if sorting through your entire home seems overwhelming. By focusing on one room at a time, you can make things more manageable and less stressful.

3. Plan Your Time

Decluttering can take a while, so plan it out. Break it into smaller tasks and set aside specific times to work on it. Whether it's 30 minutes after work or a couple of hours on the weekend, having a plan helps you stay on track. Remember, even small steps can lead to a big difference in your space and how you feel. To manage your time efficiently, we highly recommend using a planner – it can be a daily planner, weekly planner, or monthly planner.

Utilizing these planners can help you manage your decluttering schedule, be it on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. And the catch? No charges at all. That’s right! You can print, download, or edit the planners for free in any format that’s right for you – PDF, Excel, or Word, we got you covered! Remember, when you have a clear decluttering plan, you can properly outline your steps and set achievable deadlines. This plan helps you stay motivated and on track.

4. Set Realistic Goals

What do you want to achieve? Maybe it's a more organized desk, a calm bedroom, or a kitchen that works better for you. Having clear goals keeps you focused and motivated. As mentioned earlier, remember to break down the decluttering process into bite-sized tasks. Focus on one room or area at a time to avoid overwhelming yourself and to keep things manageable and rewarding.

5. Gather Your Supplies

Make sure you have everything you need on hand—boxes, bins, trash bags, and cleaning supplies. Label your boxes, for instance, if you’ve got four boxes, you can label them: “keep”, “donate”, “recycle”, and “trash” to make sorting easier. You can label your boxes according to your needs, such as but not limited to the following:

• Keep: For items you want to keep. These are things you use regularly, have a sentimental value, or simply love having around.
• Donate: For items you plan to give away or donate to charity. These should be in good condition but no longer needed by you.
• Trash: For broken or unusable items that need to be thrown away. These are things that cannot be recycled or donated.
• Recycle: For items that can be recycled. This includes materials like paper, plastic, and glass that can be processed for reuse.
• Relocate/Move: For items that belong in another room or space and need to be put back in their proper place. For example: a book that should be on the living room shelf but is currently on the kitchen counter. Another example is shoes that should be in the closet but are scattered across the hallway floor. Or maybe, tools that belong in the garage but were left in the backyard. Each item should go back to its proper spot to keep your home organized and functional.
• Sell: For items that are in good condition and can be sold. This might include clothes, electronics, furniture, or other items of value that you no longer need, but others might find useful. Consider using online marketplaces or local consignment shops to sell these items.

6. Get in the Right Headspace

Going in with a positive attitude can make a big difference. Think of decluttering like planting a garden. Just as you remove weeds to make space for beautiful flowers, clearing out clutter makes way for a more serene and productive environment. Remind yourself of the benefits of a clutter-free space, like less stress and more productivity. Be patient and kind to yourself as you go through the process.

7. Start Small

Tackling the entire house at once can be overwhelming. Instead, begin with a small area, like a single drawer or a specific shelf. Choose one spot that you see and use often. Seeing that small, organized space can give you a boost of motivation to keep going.

8. Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help

You don't have to tackle the task alone. Enlist the help of family or friends to make the process more enjoyable and efficient. With extra hands, decluttering can become a fun and engaging activity.

You can even invite your kids to make such activity more fun. And besides, it does teach a little bit of discipline and good practice which is a bonus!

9. Set a Timer

You don't need to spend your whole day decluttering. To make decluttering less overwhelming, set a timer for 5, 10, 15, or 30 minutes and challenge yourself to see how much you can get done in that time. It's amazing how much progress you can make in a short burst of focused effort. Plus, it makes the task feel more manageable and less daunting. Repeat this a few times a day and you'll be amazed at how much you can accomplish. This rule fits well into busy schedules and ensures that decluttering becomes a consistent habit.

10. Make Decluttering Fun!

Just like any task, if it’s fun, we often forget it’s a task in the first place. The same applies to decluttering – you can make it an enjoyable activity. For example, you can turn it into a game by setting a timer and challenging everyone to see who can put away the most items in 10 minutes. You could also organize a family decluttering race — whoever clears their space the quickest wins a prize! Not only does this approach make the process more enjoyable, but it also turns it into a bonding activity.

11. Make a System

Set up a system to keep clutter at bay in the future. Habits like regular cleaning, organizing, and decluttering sessions can help maintain your space. Staying consistent will prevent clutter from piling up again.

Utilizing online tools or downloadable templates can help you get started. New Orchards provide free downloadable and customizable templates in the format of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PDF that can help get you started:

• Planners
  Plan your day, week, or month effectively with customizable planner templates.

• To Do List Templates
  Stay organized and track your tasks with easy-to-use to-do list templates.

• Checklist
  Simplify your tasks and ensure nothing is missed with detailed checklist templates.

• Schedule Templates
  Organize your time efficiently with versatile schedule templates.

By prepping for decluttering, you're setting yourself up for success. You'll tackle the task with confidence and notice a big difference in your space and well-being. Get started and create a clutter-free, peaceful environment for you and your family!