Life Laundry: Declutter your space
For me, a clear out can open up space to think, enjoy and make way for new ideas and beginnings, freeing up my mind and physical space. They do say, tidy space, tidy mind.
Do you enjoy clearing your space and throwing things away which are no longer needed? or do you hang onto them?
It always feels a lot lighter and brighter not having too many things in my life that aren’t useful, necessary or needed.
I like to have things around me that are purposeful, usable and useful rather than cluttered up with items which aren’t. It’s an affirmation I’m living in the now with the things I need to tackle this moment and not dwell on times gone, which gives me a feeling of being more present.
For me, decluttering is something I do every season (ish), I’m not a hoarder or incredibly nostalgic, so it is a relatively easy task.
However, I know it can be more of a challenge for some. When I have decluttered in the past I try and consider things logically, not sentimentally. I keep a memory box to store cards, letters, photos and whatever I want to keep, just a hint of sentiment.
For anyone about to embark on their own declutter, here are some tips and tricks for getting started.
Different methods work for different people but these certainly have helped me before.
Set Goals
Start by thinking about what you want to achieve from the declutter.
With a particular goal in sight you know what you’re aiming for and have something to work towards.
Write it down, I find it helps to have the aims on paper. It makes it somehow more real and attainable.
I declutter my space to ensure it is clear of any excess and all my things are in use which frees up space, both mentally and physically.
For others, it could be to make some extra cash or clearing out your wardrobe for next seasons items, whatever the motivation or goal, make it clear, it will help in the long run and make it happen!
Allocate time
Depending on how big the clear out try to dedicate time and go at it, otherwise it can be prolonged and hang over you.
If you have years of accumulation to sift through an allocated week probably won’t begin to make a dint in the pile. In which case, go easy and dedicate a slot a day, every other day or weekend - whatever works best for you.
The main thing is be realistic and not too hard on yourself if you don’t get everything done in time. It took years to accumulate, so it will take time and patience to clear.
Along the way there will be moments of frustration and stress. I know just looking at my pile of stuff stressed me out.
At moments like this, take a break, get some air or leave it till the next day. I think it’s important not to get too consumed by it.
There is something brilliant about having a clear out which makes everything feel so much better. It’s not just me who feels this way, is it?
Organise your things
Allocate a space where you can begin to sort the clutter. If you can contain the mess to one spot such as a garage or spare room, then it doesn’t start to mess up the rest of the house and spread like a clutter rash.
Do it in stages
Firstly, I started by purging the things I didn’t like, fit or realise I even had. Once the easy bit was over I split items into sections, as it is easier for my brain to manage, such as handbags, then old books, paperwork and so on.
Be Brutal
Be brutal with what you throw away. My motto was if I hadn’t used, read or worn it for the last few months it had to go.
Be practical, not sentimental. Allow yourself one memory box to keep the things you love and would miss if they were thrown away.
I kept mainly photos, letters and old cards friends had sent over the years.
If you are finding it tough to part with something, try and think about the positives, getting rid of it will make someone else happy, raise money for charity and free up space.
If in Doubt
If you are not sure whether to part with an item ask yourself these questions.
How do you feel about the item?
Do yo love it?
Would you really miss it if it were gone?
Why are you keeping it? For you or for someone else feelings?
If the answer is, you are hanging onto something because you feel you ‘should’ then ditch it.
Weigh up the answers and from there make your decision but be brutal.
Ask a friend for help
Ask a friend to come and help for a few hours. It will make the task less daunting, more fun and having a person there with no emotional attachment to your material excess gives a practical view of the items. Hopefully, enabling you to make better decisions and throw more things away. You can always donate them some items for helping you!
Make Cash
If you have time, sell the things you don’t want on Ebay or Etsy, Depop, Ziffit and other online platforms.
Take items like books and vintage to smaller independent shops. This way you can see your old hoard turned into something new or use the money to treat yourself when it’s over. I sold a lot of my items but a vast majority of my stuff went to friends or charity.
Storage Space
During this declutter I found what helped me was buying some storage space. I bought several boxes to store the things I wanted to keep in the garage. In my bedroom and wardrobe I invested in colourful boxes to store my accessories, shoes and so on.
It means that everything is now neat and tidy and has a place.
CELEBRATE THE SPACE
Once you have tackled all of this it is time to put your feet up and enjoy the newfound space of your new home (wardrobe or whatever else you may have decluttered).
Now go out and celebrate how good it feels to be free of all that stuff.
Decluttering has had so many positive outcomes I actually feel cleansed and the whole process has been rather cathartic.
My life feels lighter and in turn this huge purge of material items has had so many lovely effects on my mind and physical space. I have more space for wonderment, to think about how I will improve my capsule wardrobe and make a bit more mess in the space that I have freed up.
It is a great feeling knowing all the things I took to the charity shop are going to a good cause and the person who buys them will hopefully appreciate the item more than I did.
Everything I now own, I appreciate and it makes finding things much easier too. The memories are still in my mind, small memory box and not in my physical space and somehow that is a lot easier to manage.
I feel so much more happy and less overwhelmed.
To me, Less truly is more.
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