Day 29 Of The Declutter Challenge

Additional Rooms

We are nearly at the end of our 30 day decluttering challenge. Hopefully by now you are feeling the benefit of less clutter and more space as a result.  Possibly sitting on the floor of your bedroom drinking coffee because now there is space to do so?! I have really felt good after each section and desperately want to keep everywhere looking as clutter free as it does now! It only takes a few weeks to create a habit, so I am hoping this decluttering challenge will help us all achieve that.

Professional declutterer Barbara Reich reminds us that clutter is not merely piles of junk. Clutter is stress: It nags at you, drags you down psychologically, slows you down physically. People tend to hang on to their stuff for a few different reasons, she says. Some clutterers suffered a major loss early in life. For them, accumulating stuff that no one can take away can be a source of comfort. Other clutterers grew up with a parent who didn't save anything (so the person overcompensates) or a parent who saved everything (so there was no model for purging). Still others hold on to things as a way of preserving memories they fear they'll lose otherwise. 

I am sure there are still spaces to be decluttered in your home - I have tried to keep this challenge to spaces that most people have, but some of you are bound to have extra rooms – utility rooms, cellars and the like. So today is the day to attack those. 

Here is a reminder of the questions you need to ask yourself when decluttering, which can apply to any part of the house are clearing out.

·      Is this item something I regularly use?

·      If not, is this something that I love and sparks joy?

·      Could someone else use it more than me?

·      Can I get away without having this in my life?

·      When was the last time I used this?

·      Am I keeping this out of obligation or expectation?

·      Am I holding onto this because I think I should love it?

·      Am I saving this just in case I’ll need it…  someday, down the road?

·      Do I have multiples of the same thing?

·      Could something else I own do the same job?

·      Am I holding onto a broken item to fix “someday?”

·      Is this item worth the time I spend cleaning/storing it?

·      Could I use this space for something else?

·      What’s the worst that could happen if I get rid of it?

·      Am I putting this in the junk drawer because it doesn’t have a place… or a real purpose?

Don’t forget to have your main decluttering tools to hand: 

1. Label Maker:
When you label a drawer, you're not only telling yourself what goes in there. You're telling your entire family.

2. Bin Bags / cardboard boxes
Use these to collect items you'll donate or discard. Then, make sure all the bags leave your house. Obviously at the moment it is difficult to get rid of things properly with the recycling centres and charity shops closed, so find somewhere to keep them somewhere where the kids/husband/you won’t be tempted to rummage through them…”just in case…”

3. Stylish Boxes & baskets
Store items you use often or want to keep in attractive boxes that can be stacked, labelled and displayed.

4. File Folders
Keep your file categories broad. If you have too many narrow categories, filing becomes burdensome.

Now go purge – you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, don’t stop now!