DECLUTTER? But What Do You Mean??
By: Tara Lorenz
One of the biggest questions we get asked when talking with new or potential clients is “are you going to make me get rid of all of my stuff.” The short answer is always no. We won’t make you do anything you don’t want. But we also remind people why they called in the first place. Reasons generally sound like this:
1. I have too much stuff.
2. I can’t find my stuff easily.
3. I don’t have a good system for all my stuff.
4. My kids have too much stuff.
5. I don’t have enough room for all my stuff.
See the pattern? Lots of stuff. Having too much stuff can negatively impact your well being. It can cause stress or anxiety about the one place that should be your haven. If you have piles of stuff it makes it harder to clean around causing dust and dirt to collect potentially causing health issues… think allergies or asthma. If you can’t find what you need this may lead to purchasing multiples of items wasting your money and taking up even more space. Maybe the idea of hosting people at your house gives you anxiety because of all of the piles so you never allow people into your home. Or you throw it all into one room when you do host causing the problem to get that much bigger.
The one thing we can’t do as organizers is make your space bigger. But what we can do is maximize your storage by using the space effectively. However, this almost always requires you to let go of some things. To help you get rid of your stuff, or declutter as we pros call it, we ask some questions to help you decide.
Have I used or worn this in the past year?
Do I love how I look in this?
Would I buy this again if I saw it today?
If you answered no to any of these questions then it should be obvious you need to get rid of it. Don’t get hung up on the price you paid for it or who gave it to you. If you aren’t using it, it is taking up valuable space in your home and that wasn’t the intention. Keeping unwanted, unused items in your home is only doing you harm. No one else.
An easy way to start decluttering is breaking off small areas at a time. Start in your kitchen. Go through the fridge and pantry and get rid of anything past its expiration date. If there are items no one is eating toss them. Unopened packaged or canned goods can be donated to a local food shelter. Next work on cosmetics, medications, and toiletries. Check expiration dates. If it is expired toss it! Just because the shampoo was expensive doesn’t mean you should keep it. No one is using it. Now is the time to hit that junk drawer. You probably don’t need half of what’s in there. Check for dried up pens, old batteries, anything broken. Get rid of it!
Decluttering your whole home takes time so don’t get discouraged. Set a goal for 20 mins each day and you will slowly see improvement. You didn’t create the issue in one day so please don’t expect it to take one afternoon.