Decluttering is a transformative process that not only clears physical space but also brings mental clarity and a sense of calmness into our lives. However, embarking on a decluttering journey can be overwhelming without a clear plan in place. To help you streamline the process and achieve a clutter-free haven, we’ve created a 5-point checklist that serves as a step-by-step guide. Let’s dive in and reclaim the beauty of simplicity!
Welcome to the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series! We will be starting decluttering specific tasks. Each day is dedicated to spending only 30 minutes decluttering your specific daily task. We will be working 5 days a week, so you can take 2 days to enjoy time with your loved ones. Today, we will look at my 5 point checklist for decluttering.
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.
Struggling with the daily housekeeping chores? Check out my ebook on this topic, entitled Make Over Your Homemaking. Use this link to get it at a discounted price.
5 Point Checklist for Decluttering: A Step-by-Step Guide to Simplify Your Life
- Set Your Goals: Before diving headfirst into the 5 point checklist on decluttering, take a moment to define your goals. Identify the areas in your life that need decluttering – whether it’s your physical space, digital files, or even your schedule. Ask yourself what you hope to achieve through this process. Are you looking for more space, reduced stress, or a better-organized environment? Having a clear vision of your goals will motivate you throughout the process and keep you focused on the prize.
- Start Small and Be Realistic: Decluttering can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve accumulated possessions over many years. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, start small and tackle one area at a time. It could be a single drawer, a shelf, or a small corner of your room. Be realistic about the time you can dedicate to decluttering each day or week. Consistent progress, no matter how small, will yield significant results over time.
- Sort and Categorize: A systematic approach is key to successful decluttering. As you begin, sort your belongings into three categories: “Keep,” “Donate/Sell,” and “Discard.” Be honest with yourself and let go of items that no longer serve a purpose or bring you joy. For items you’re unsure about, ask yourself when was the last time you used them and if they truly add value to your life. This sorting process will help you make more informed decisions about what stays and what goes.
- One-In-One-Out Rule: 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 life, whether it’s a piece of clothing, a gadget, or a decorative item, commit to removing one item from your possession. This approach ensures that your space remains clutter-free and prevents you from falling back into old habits.
- Organize and Maintain: After decluttering, it’s essential to organize the items you’ve chosen to keep. Invest in storage solutions that suit your needs, such as clear containers, shelves, or drawer dividers. Ensure everything has a designated place, making it easier to find and put away items in the future. Regularly revisit your decluttered spaces to maintain order, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments as needed.
Decluttering is a powerful tool for simplifying your life and creating a harmonious living space. By following this 5 point checklist, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a clutter-free and organized environment. Remember, the process may take time, but with determination and consistency, you’ll experience the liberating benefits of living with less. Embrace the journey and enjoy the newfound sense of freedom and peace that decluttering brings to your life. Happy decluttering!
Using the 5 Point Checklist for Decluttering: A few guidelines to keep you on task:
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.
4.Avoid thinking too long about whether to keep or discard an item. Recruit help if you are stuck in the decision process.
5.Avoid cleaning during your declutter. Getting rid of the clutter is your priority. Cleaning can be accomplished later.
Using the 5 Point Checklist for Decluttering: We are working in the master bedroom this week. Your task today for today, March 20th, is to: Declutter anything beneath the bed.
Need to deep clean? I have lists for you to guide you along.
My How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen list can be found here.
My How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom list can be found here.
My How to Deep Clean Your Kids’ Rooms list can be found here.
My How to Deep Clean Your Living Room list can be found here.
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. Below is a sample page of what you’ll get in my Housekeeping Schedule for Home printables.
Also, to keep up the general housework, you may need to create a daily housekeeping schedule that suits your specific needs. To do so, I have created a helpful series you can read here.
Need to Declutter Every room? I have declutter checklists for every room and every space in your home to guide you along below.
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 sign up here.
Struggling to decide if an item is clutter? Use these questions below to help you determine whether to keep or toss any item.
How to Declutter the Guest Room or Your Kid’s Room checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Laundry Room and Patio checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Coat Closet/Hall Closet/Linen Closet checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Home Office checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Attic checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Garage checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Living Room checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Kitchen Checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Entry/Foyer/Mudroom checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Clothing checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Bedroom checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Bathroom checklist can be found here.
Happy Decluttering!
To Subscribe to this Declutter Series, drop me a comment below. Your email will be sent to me but will not be posted publicly. You’ll receive a daily declutter task via email for the daily task we are working on. You can unsubscribe at any time.
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.
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 sign up here.
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?.…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
What is Preventing You From Getting Organized?
Also, check out a great post on decluttering over here from becomingminimalist.com. Joshua Becker has some great tips on decluttering and minimalism.
For further reading, check out the fly lady here. She has some great cleaning and kitchen decluttering ideas plus excellent organization tips to get you started.
I hope you have benefitted from my post on Where to Start When You Declutter (tasks you can do in 30 minutes). Leave a comment below to subscribe to my daily declutter task email series.
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