Are you overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in your house? Does your life feel hectic? What are your next steps? Should you go complete Marie Kondo? How many items should you own if you want to call yourself a minimalist? Is there a step-by-step guide? How quickly should you complete an entire home decluttering session? Which method is proven to work?
Pause… Breathe…
Slowing down your life and living more simply shouldn’t make you feel frantic.
There is a great deal of information and advice out there on how to declutter your home and your life, but the truth is, you’re not going to find a secret formula that works perfectly for you in any one place. Reading books and articles (including this one) are great ways to find motivation and tips, but each of our decluttering journeys will be unique. Only by getting started on your journey, will you find the best answers for you. So, read the advice, but don’t take everything as a rule you must follow. Be yourself and over time you will develop guidelines, specific to you, that help you live a more simplified life. You can call yourself a minimalist, or any other fun name, if it feels right to you, without having to adopt rules that don’t work for you.
Below is some advice that may help you find balance in the process.
Avoid sentimental items/areas if you are just getting started.
Don’t strive for perfection. Understand that you will most likely revisit each area after you get some practice and build momentum.
Identify local charities and get an idea of the items they accept. Decide whether or not you plan on selling anything yourself. It will be easier to sort where your unwanted things will be going as you are decluttering instead of revisiting the same items later.
Take a minute to consider where you are in your life right now. What are your interests and hobbies? As you sort through your items, keep in mind who you are now and not who you used to be or who you want to be. This will help you avoid keeping things that represent a past version of yourself as well as help you avoid keeping things that you may have acquired for someday.
Don’t stress yourself out trying to get to a set number of items or debating whether keeping something you love makes you a minimalist or not. The process is about getting rid of the items that weigh you down and keeping the items you enjoy.
With each unwanted item that you remove from your life, you will begin to experience a sense of calmness and freedom. Making decisions becomes easier.
Keep in mind that this is a lifestyle change, not a once-and-done cleaning session.
Remember each decluttering journey is unique. Don’t compare yourself.
Good luck on your decluttering journey! If you find yourself stuck, feel free to reach out and ask for help. I would love to assist with making your decluttering journey as easy as possible.
Excellent advice – I agree, there is no secret formula (wish there were!), just taking it a step at a time.
Thanks, I wish there was a secret formula too! The only way to find what works for each of us is to just get started.
These are excellent tips and I agree that decluttering is not one-size-fits-all. I have taken little nuggets and tips from many decluttering experts and pulled them into something that works for me.
I did the same thing! There is tons of great advice out there. The trick is to find and use what works best for yourself.
Very well said! I’ve been a minimalist for four years now and wouldn’t go back. I truly do feel as if I’m living more with less and finding greater intention and purpose in creating a haven of only what I love.
I wouldn’t go back either.🙂❤
My biggest fears of getting rid of stuff is actually needing them once I give them away, lol. Thankfully I’m fairly minimalist, but it’s my hobbies that take up most space—for instance, I haven’t went rock climbing in forever, but my harness and shoes still lie dusty in the storeroom.
But I like the mindset you shared last time when you wrote about decluttering parts of your fridge. Sometimes, going that small helps me do the work much better. If I’m too vague about things (e.g. the kitchen, or the living room), I get paralysis by analysis. One desk? That’s much better. Ditto one drawer.
Anyway, thanks for this post!
I think a lot of people have a similar fear. You could always put things you plan on getting rid of in a box with a lid and mark the box to donate in one year. That way the items are still in your home if you end up needing them but you can test the waters of them not being visible. Just make sure you mark your calendar in advance with a reminder of where the box is.
I love small decluttering projects. They are quick and easy. Plus, those little boosts of success help with motivation.
Such fantastic tips, Suzanne. You are truly an expert! 🌞
Thanks, Lisa!
I have always wanted to be a minimalist but something keeps holding me back. I guess I am stiving for perfection in minimalism and that is what’s stopping me. Also, I agree with you that “The process is about getting rid of the items that weigh you down and keeping the items you enjoy”
You aren’t alone! There are a lot of other people that get hung up on perfection. Start by adjusting the way you approach decluttering. Instead of focusing on creating a picture-perfect house or owning items that you think a minimalist would have, strive to buy less and own less. Once you have fewer items in your home, it is easier to create a space where you enjoy spending time. Good luck on your decluttering journey!
Thanx a lot for the advice, helped me clear my mind! 🌟💖