How to Actually Declutter
Decluttering can be no easy task, especially if you’re attempting to declutter your entire home, and not just a pile of old mail. The task can be even more daunting if you’re the type who can’t bear to part with mementos, from old movie tickets to ratty college t-shirts. To understand how to declutter, we must first understand what clutter is in the first place.
Clutter is an accumulation of unresolved decisions that lead to mental clutter. Our reasons for amassing clutter can differ, whether it’s the result of impulse purchases or the need to feel comforted by our possessions. When too much clutter accumulates in the home, items can begin to own us instead of the other way around. If you wake up one morning to this realization, these decluttering tips might be for you!
Donate, sell, toss, repeat. The most effective way to declutter is to sort each item into categories, then donate, toss responsibly, or resell. I always recommend giving clothes and items to friends and family as an easy first step. Otherwise, Goodwill and other thrift stores would be more than happy to take your clothing, furniture and other tchotchkes (plus they offer drop-off donations during the pandemic). The Real Real and thredUP are my go-to resources for selling clothing. Earth 911 is also an excellent resource if you’re uncertain about how to recycle a product (e.g., toxic cleaning materials, electronics, old beauty products).
Start Small. Some organizers will tell you that the only effective way to declutter is to do it all in one fell swoop. I couldn’t agree less! This only leads to overwhelm and fatigue, especially if you’re going at it alone. Instead, I recommend attacking each room at a time. As you sort through categories in each room, make sure you’re labeling each pile as ‘donate,’ ‘sell,’ or ‘toss’. When you’re finished decluttering, bring all your 'donate,' 'thrift', and 'toss' bags to your front door so you commit to getting everything out of the house.
If a whole room is not in the cards, go even smaller. Take fifteen minutes out of your day (set a timer on your phone if it’s helpful) and sort through that miscellaneous kitchen drawer that’s bursting at the seams (jars of pens and pencils count too!). Once you build up momentum, you won’t want to stop! (Maybe that’s just me.) If you’re someone who does better with a little external nudge, hiring a professional organizer is also an excellent option.
Create zones for your ‘keep’ items. Once you’ve sorted through everything, you’re now left with stuff you want to keep. Now what? Getting rid of clutter for good starts with an efficient organizing system that works for you. It means categorizing and grouping like items together so you don’t end up with six pairs of scissors or ten lip balms. Just as important, getting rid of clutter means saying no to unnecessary purchases. When considering a purchase, constantly ask yourself whether it will be useful to you in the long term. When shopping online, keep items in your shopping cart longer than usual, and return to them later to see if your interest has waned. Instead of making decluttering a chaotic once- or twice-a-year affair, make it a habit to sort through your stuff throughout the year. Create a donate bin and bring everything to the thrift store once it’s full. While decluttering for good is an unrealistic goal, there are many ways we can keep ourselves in check by assessing whether we really need that rustic apple peeler, or if we maybe can do without it.