In a world where we accumulate possessions at a rapid pace, it’s no wonder that clutter can quickly take over our lives. Whether it’s in our homes, offices, or digital spaces, the presence of excess stuff can contribute to stress, anxiety, and a feeling of being overwhelmed. But fear not, because there’s a solution: Clutter Control. In this guide, we’ll explore the art of decluttering and how it can positively impact your well-being.
Welcome to my Year Long Thorough Declutter Series. We declutter 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Each day we do a daily task based on the room we are working on. Today, our task is to start decluttering your clutter in your entryway. If you prefer watching videos, check out my youtube channel here. Today, we’ll look at some tips for decluttering gym bags and fitness gear in your entryway.
The best way to develop a new habit is by slowly and daily application. We will begin a new daily declutter habit starting with the 2nd bathroom. In the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series, we will declutter 30 minutes a day, five days a week on weekdays. Sign up to receive daily encouragement and motivation.
Plus, you’ll learn your specific daily task to work toward completing the goal of a Year Long Thorough Declutter where you will declutter every space and learn how to start to purge your house. Are you ready to finally get organized? If so, will you join us? Leave a comment below to subscribe.
If you are new to the blog, welcome! I blog about cleaning, decluttering, and organizing. You can find my free printables to help you get organized in the drop down menu under the Printables category.
Currently we are working on how to unclutter the Entryway, Foyer, & Mudroom. The daily task for today, Nov. 28, 2023, is to begin to declutter gym bags and fitness gear in your entryway. Remember, we are focusing on just the entryway area, so don’t declutter your whole house. We will cover each room separately.
Clutter Control: A Guide to Decluttering Your Life
The Impact of Clutter
Before we delve into the decluttering process, let’s understand why it’s essential. Clutter isn’t just a physical obstacle; it can also affect your mental and emotional well-being. Studies have shown that a cluttered environment can lead to increased stress levels and decreased productivity. When our surroundings are chaotic, it becomes challenging to focus and find a sense of calm.
Getting Started: The Mindset Shift
Clutter control is not just about getting rid of things; it’s a mindset shift. Start by acknowledging the benefits of a clutter-free space. Picture a home or workspace where everything has its place, and you can easily find what you need. Imagine the mental clarity and peace that come with such an environment. This vision will serve as your motivation throughout the decluttering process.
The Decluttering Process
1. Set Clear Goals
Begin by defining your decluttering goals. What areas of your life need decluttering the most? Is it your closet, kitchen, workspace, or digital devices? Setting clear goals will help you stay focused and motivated.
2. Categorize and Prioritize
Break down the decluttering process into categories. For example, in your closet, you could have categories like clothes, shoes, accessories, etc. Prioritize these categories based on what needs attention the most. Starting with smaller, manageable categories can build momentum for tackling larger ones later.
3. The Four-Box Method
As you go through your belongings, use the four-box method: Keep, Donate, Trash, and Relocate. Be honest with yourself about the things you use and love. If you haven’t used or appreciated something in the past year, it might be time to let it go.
4. Digitize and Organize
In the digital age, decluttering extends beyond physical spaces to digital ones. Clean up your email inbox, organize your computer files, and delete apps or files you no longer need. Consider using cloud storage to free up space on your devices.
5. One In, One Out
To maintain a clutter-free environment in the long run, adopt the “one in, one out” rule. For every new item you bring into your space, make a conscious effort to let go of something else. This prevents accumulation and encourages mindful consumption.
The Benefits of Decluttering
Once you’ve completed the decluttering process, you’ll likely experience a range of benefits:
1. Reduced Stress
A clutter-free environment contributes to a sense of order and calm, reducing stress and promoting overall well-being.
2. Increased Productivity
With a decluttered space, you can focus more easily, leading to increased productivity and efficiency in your daily tasks.
3. Improved Mental Clarity
A clear physical space often translates to a clearer mind. Decluttering can help you think more clearly and make better decisions.
4. Enhanced Creativity
A clutter-free environment provides room for creativity to flourish. When your space is organized, your mind is free to explore new ideas.
Decluttering is a powerful tool for taking control of your physical and mental spaces. By adopting the Clutter Control mindset and following a systematic approach, you can create an environment that supports your well-being and allows you to live a more intentional and fulfilling life. So, what are you waiting for? Start your decluttering journey today and experience the transformative power of a clutter-free life.
Steps to Clutter Control
1.Only spend time on your specific daily task.
2.Do not get side-tracked or distracted.
3.Work within a time of day that you have the most energy and stamina. This is one of the most useful declutter motivation tips. Listen to your body and work at decluttering when you feel the most alert and energized.
4.Avoid thinking too long about whether to keep or discard an item. This is one specific way for How to Be Ruthless When Decluttering.
5.Avoid cleaning during your declutter. The goal is to purge the dead weight. Getting rid of the clutter is your priority. Cleaning can be accomplished later. Read on for more declutter motivation tips and my room specific deep clean checklist, though, as you will begin cleaning after your declutter.
Tips for Clutter Control
Supplies Needed:
1. boxes -preferably ones you can donate (Avoid plastic storage bins because you may be tempted to just store the items and not part with them.)1. boxes -preferably ones you can donate (Avoid plastic storage bins because you may be tempted to just store the items and not part with them.)
2. sturdy trash bags
3. marker/pen to label boxes
Decluttering Tip: Avoid using storage bins to declutter. Storage bins tend to tell your brain to “store” the items for later. That is just delaying decisions. If you aren’t getting rid of items when you declutter, you are not truly decluttering. This is why I recommend a trash bag, also. A trash bag tells your brain to “trash” the item.
Obviously, recycle if you have that option. The boxes you use should be ones you are willing to part with, so I recommend sturdy cardboard boxes. As to donations, there are many charities that will come pick up your items for you at your home.
I use one in particular where you can book an appointment for pick-up online. This is so convenient, as it saves you the hassle of hauling stuff away yourself. Scheduling that pick-up also motivates you to declutter by a certain date.
Steps for Clutter Control
1. Start by eliminating trash first- use a sturdy trash bag
2. Sort items by category if needed so you can see what you have
3.Get rid of items that don’t work or that work poorly, expired items, anything you don’t love, anything that you’ll never use again
4. Box up the donations and trash/recycle the rest
5.Select a charity to donate your items and schedule the pick-up if that is an option
How Do You Declutter Your Entire House (and get it deep clean?): Need to deep clean?
First, My How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen list can be found here.
Second, My How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom list can be found here.
Third, My How to Deep Clean Your Kids’ Rooms list can be found here.
Fourth, My How to Deep Clean Your Living Room list can be found here.
Fifth, My How to Deep Clean Your Bedroom list can be found here.
You can get your printable Daily Housekeeping Routine and Deep Cleaning Your House Schedule here. This 15 page printable kit is delivered digitally to your email for you to print and personalize. What Does a Deep Clean Include? It includes a daily schedule, calendar pages, and deep cleaning checklists for every room and area of your home. Check out the link above to see a sample page of what you’ll get in my printable set designed to help you create your personal Homemaking Checklist.
Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series Calendar and Checklists here. The printable digital download is delivered to your email. It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and checklists to help you declutter every room in your home. You can find that here.
New to deemiddleton.com and don’t know where to start? I recommend going in this order:
Step 1: Check out this post on the 1st step you should take to get organized. If you don’t have a calendar, you can grab my free weekly printable calendar page here. It is in my shopify store, but it is totally free, so you won’t be prompted to put in any payment information. It is a free download and will be delivered straight to your email.
Step 2: Create a daily Housekeeping Schedule. You can use this series to start to set up your own schedule. You can also use this simplified weekly schedule.If you often ask: What is the fastest way to clean a dirty house? Or, if you struggle to get organized and have tried and failed time and again, you can likely find out which of these 11 reasons cause you to fail to get organized.
Step 3: How do you remove clutter? How Do You Declutter Your Home?.…Sign up for the Declutter Series and get your entire home decluttered in just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.”Declutter Your Home” checklists are provided in each email.
Step 4: What is the fastest way to clean a dirty house? Use a timer and use the Deep Cleaning Checklists above. They will help you get your home sparkling after you’ve decluttered.
Interested in becoming a full-time blogger like me? Check out my blogging series. At the top of every page on my blog, you’ll find a drop down menu. Just select the BLOGGING category.
Check out the most popular posts on deemiddleton.com:
14 Things That Make Your Home Look Cluttered
How to Create a Daily Housekeeping Schedule
How to Clean House When You Are Completely Overwhelmed By Clutter
Recent Comments