I’ve had to declutter and downsize many-a-times (lots of stuff, lots of children, big family, sentimental collector) and as anyone that has gone through this process can tell you, it is not an easy task. Yet, if you simply start with decluttering, then cleaning, then rearranging and begin there, it may make the chore a little easier.
Now, decluttering takes a bit of organizing in itself and ultimately some of the goals could be ;
1. to actually know what you have 2. uncluttered an area or space 3. to know where your stuff is 4. or locate all your stuff 5. to save you time and money from having to acquire or purchase more things that you already have 6. also to free up space in your home (and for yourself) and to get rid of unwanted, unused, unneeded, broken, and otherwise useless stuff (even if they are liked by you) as things take up space and can possibly be restricting your freedoms.
We can often make the mistake in feeling as though, if we don’t have all of our stuff, not enough stuff or not able to get more stuff, that we are not complete or not finished, but “The little kettle can boil the water just as good as the big kettle, yet the little kettle can fit in more places”.
After or even during this process, many feel by “Downsizing and decluttering often creates an upsize in their lifestyle, their potential, their freedom and their mobility”!
So, we will find that by re-organizing our things, we realize just how much we have and may not really need. Then, being faced with deciding what to keep around and what not to. The next decision is whether to keep the excess of things and where to put or store them. Some people choose a closet or room in their home (if large enough), others use a storage facility to store their excess and additional items. Often, we just need to get rid of a lot of stuff and that can be the most difficult (which has many putting off this process) and even though there are plenty of people with suggestions on how to figure out and decide what to keep and what to get rid of (and many good suggestions), honestly; it will all come down to your own needs and your own decision.
Decluttering can be done once a week, everyday, a little bit here and there or every month or so. It just depends on each individual, as some people have began by making a habit or routine of uncluttering their life , so this makes efforts to keep it decluttered (often by not buying more and more stuff) and “less buying means less spending on things you don’t really need and being able to save to do or have more of what you really need or want”.
Some of us, begin decluttering because we are attempting to sell our home and must begin the process (not only to help in reducing the chore of packing later, but also to unclutter and clean-up all around for better pictures of the home). There can be a variety or reasons.
One of the best ways I have found, to help in organizing everything and keeping it that way; is to place anything and everything in its own spot or which I like to call, “its own home”. In other words, if I have or find around my home things such as pencils, pens, sharpener, paper clips, scotch tape or such, these would all go in a desk or in an office area (a drawer in the kitchen may also have a few of these items for quick finding and use), but basically the bulk of different types of things collected or that I have, I organize them within their own place.
All Holiday decor, can be separated by holiday and put into plastic bins and can be put in a stored area, attic or storage facility for next use. As you find things or pick up things, take a moment and put it back into its ‘home area’ and so on and so on..(that way, when you may be looking for something or wanting something you’ll know where to find it). . It’ll also save you time later, if you put things you find (or come across each day or so) in a ‘catchall basket’ (big and small one) or in a specific area and then put it all away when or as you can…Then of course, sometimes you won’t have time or (you may find or collect something and you might not be home) to put the item back in the right place, you may have to hold onto it (put it in a bag or something) until you can get it into its proper place.
Often when we move from one resident to another, there seems to always be that daunting chore of going through all of our things (once again) deciding what we’re going to take, what we’re not, what is trash, what we could sell, may give to family members and friends or donate. Of course if you have been downsizing or decluttering here and there, it will be a lot easier upon you. Yet, it’s one chore that never seems to get easier, no many how many times we do it and it never fails, no matter how much we can organize and unclutter we never seem to realize how much stuff we have or have collected and need to declutter.
Make the time, to take time and start going through the things you have and have collected. You may find some-things you had forgotten you had, and could use right now. You are living your life right now, why not choose to use or do something with them right now? After all, you have wanted, collected and kept them for a reason! Choose to use them or if need to save something (as items kept to be given to family or friends), then give them as a gifts (so they can enjoy them right now as well).
You possibly could sell some things and you can always donate them; as someone else may really want it or have use for it (they may not have been able to ever acquire some-things) and that would make them smile or make their day to find an item of need or want. If you have ever went thrift shopping you’d know what I mean..
I have other tips and tricks on coping with the process of downsizing and decluttering that I will post later, but for now I recall a saying that suggested we “stop waiting to use things saved and enjoy the things we have”…
So yeah, Start Downsizing to upsize your life and while you are at it, Go Ahead…Use the good-stuff and enjoy them now, there.. I gave you permission!
C .Star. V
