In a world filled with constant consumerism and the accumulation of possessions, the concept of minimalism has gained traction as a refreshing antidote. Minimalism is not just about having fewer things; it’s a mindset that values quality over quantity, intentionality over impulsivity, and experiences over possessions. If you find yourself yearning for a simpler, more fulfilling life, it might be time to embark on a journey of the minimalist’s guide to decluttering. Here’s your guide to embracing minimalism and learning to love living with less.
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 living room. If you prefer watching videos, check out my youtube channel here. Today, we’ll look at some tips for decluttering unwanted DVDs and movies from your living room.
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 Living Room. The daily task for today, Dec. 5, 2023, is to begin to declutter unwanted DVDs and movies from your living room. Remember, we are focusing on just the living room area, so don’t declutter your whole house. We will cover each room separately.
The Minimalist’s Guide to Decluttering: How to Live with Less and Love it More!
1. Reflect on Your Values
Before you start the minimalist’s guide to decluttering, take a moment to reflect on your values and priorities. What truly matters to you? What brings you joy and fulfillment? Minimalism is not a one-size-fits-all concept, so understanding your own values will guide your decluttering process. Whether it’s cultivating relationships, pursuing passions, or fostering personal growth, keep these values in mind as you make decisions about what to keep and what to let go.
2. Start Small
The idea of decluttering an entire living space can be overwhelming. Instead of attempting to tackle everything at once, start small. Focus on one room, one area, or even one category of items. This approach makes the process more manageable and allows you to build momentum gradually. As you experience the benefits of living with less, you’ll be inspired to continue the journey throughout your home.
3. The KonMari Method: Spark Joy
Marie Kondo’s KonMari Method has taken the world by storm, and for good reason. The key principle is to keep only those items that “spark joy.” Hold each item in your hands and ask yourself if it brings you happiness. If the answer is yes, keep it; if it’s no, express gratitude and let it go. This method not only helps you declutter but also cultivates a more mindful and appreciative relationship with your belongings.
4. Quality Over Quantity
Minimalism is not about deprivation but about choosing quality over quantity. Invest in items that serve a purpose and bring value to your life. When considering new purchases, ask yourself whether the item aligns with your values and if it will genuinely enhance your life. This shift in mindset leads to a more intentional and sustainable approach to consumption.
5. Digital Decluttering
In our digital age, clutter extends beyond physical spaces into our digital lives. Take time to declutter your digital space by organizing files, deleting unused apps, and unsubscribing from newsletters that no longer serve you. A clean and organized digital environment can contribute to a clearer and more focused mind.
6. Practice Mindful Consumption
Minimalism isn’t just about decluttering once; it’s a continuous practice. Be mindful of your consumption habits and avoid falling back into old patterns of impulsive buying. Before making a purchase, consider whether it aligns with your values and if it genuinely adds value to your life. By practicing mindful consumption, you’ll prevent new clutter from accumulating.
7. Embrace the Freedom of Less
As you declutter and simplify your life, you’ll likely experience a sense of freedom and lightness. Less physical and mental clutter allows space for more meaningful experiences and relationships. Embrace the newfound freedom that comes with living with less and savor the joy of a simpler, more intentional life.
In a world that often tells us more is better, minimalism offers a compelling alternative. By decluttering and embracing a minimalist mindset, you can create a home and life filled with purpose, intention, and joy. Start small, reflect on your values, and enjoy the journey of living with less and loving it more!
Minimalist’s Guide to Decluttering
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.
Hacks for the Minimalist’s Guide to Decluttering
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 the Minimalist’s Guide to Decluttering
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:
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