Chances are if you've been living in the same place for at least a year you could stand to cut down on the clutter.
For many people when one of the biggest goals for the New Year is decluttering. Somehow when it comes to the shift after the holidays a lot of people feel the urge to lighten up. I suspect some of the decluttering drive comes from spending more time at home which causes you to see exactly how much you really have.
Where to start
If you're like me looking at a big pile of stuff is so overwhelming that it can be hard to know where to begin. Without a focal point of some kind, it's easy to get overwhelmed, Then you do something, anything else, in an effort to avoid the brain chaos of having to figure out how to wade through everything. Over the years I've come up with a plan that really works for me. These are my top 12 declutter categories and a great place to get started. Hint: you don't have to do it all at once. You can simply pick one thing per month and when you're done decluttering that category you're done for the month. Taking it one step at a time and having a clear-cut plan makes it super easy to not be overwhelmed. It also gives you a framework and helps you stay on track.Here are my top 12:
1. Clothes you no longer love
Let's be honest, we all have them. Something in the back of the closet that doesn't fit and you're holding on to it in the hopes that one day... Let it go. If you change size, you deserve to get something new. Or you've got clothes that don't make you feel good when you wear them. I know, it's hard to let go when you've paid good money for it. But I believe you deserve to look fabulous in whatever you wear.2. Kitchen appliances you haven't used in years (fondu pot I'm looking at you) –
The kitchen is one of the easiest areas to build up clutter. And often, because it's behind a cabinet door, you don't see it until you open the door and everything springs out at you while you're looking for a pot lid. Make your life simpler, just keep what you need, and resist the urge to buy that new tangine dish. Take your kitchen decluttering one step further and download my free Kitchen Cleanout Checklist.3. Old cell phones
Why do we hang on to these? If you've got one working cell phone chances are you don't need two non-working ones. This is a great opportunity to help someone else. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) is an organization that can refurbish cell phones or responsibly recycle them with the funds going to help victims and survivors of domestic abuse.4. Old Magazines
If you haven't read them in over a year chances are you're not going to. Even if you have read them, how many magazines do you need cluttering up the house? Two great recycling options for magazines are your local Friends of the Library which sells them for just a few cents or see if an art teacher at your local school can use them for supplies.5. Chipped mugs and dishware
I know, it's hard to let go of your favorites. But if you're always drinking out of only one spot because otherwise, you're going to cut yourself it's time to find a new favorite mug (from the mugs you already have). Mugs and dishware can be repurposed into super cute plant pots, but otherwise, just let them go.6. Extra vases
How many vases do you really need? Go through that vase collection clinking around in the basement or the back of the closet and pare it down to just a few. Donate any extras back to your local florist, they'll appreciate the recycling effort and you'll clear out a little space in your home.7. Orphan socks
I know, how does that happen? Two socks go into the dryer, one sock comes out. Sometimes I swear they must be turning into dryer lint. If you've got a collection of orphan socks and it's been a year or longer, chances are that other sock is never coming back. Since single socks are difficult to donate have some fun and make sock puppets.8. E-junk
We've all got it. That collection of cords, old power packs that go to who knows what, the wires that you can't identify, and plugs that don't fit anything you currently own. This category also includes old cameras (your cell phone is probably better), and other old e-tech. See Item #3, donate the tangled mess, and get it out of your house.9. Sniffy candles and soaps you don't like
Just because it was a gift from someone else doesn't mean you need to keep it. Offer a polite thank you and don't allow these things to accumulate in a drawer. Either regift, offer up at a white elephant party or donate to charity.10. Water bottle clutter
Unless I'm mistaken you only use one water bottle at a time. So why are there 15 of them hanging out in the cabinet under the toaster? Figure out which ones work best for you and give away the rest. Also...resist the urge to buy a new pretty water bottle when they all go on sale in January.11. Craft clutter
I'm so guilty of this one. Not that I buy a lot of craft supplies, but I have a hard time when it comes to yarn and paper. And if someone's giving it away I'm usually first in line with my hand out. I've learned to limit the amount I have by keeping a specific container for each. If it's going to overflow the container then something needs to go. This works for any craft – sewing, painting, jewelry making, ceramics, whatever it is figure out how much room you want to allocate to your craft, and don't give it any more room than that.12. Partial containers of shampoo, lotion, etc
I've never been able to figure out how this happens but somehow there's always a bit of clutter when it comes to these items. Be realistic about if you're going to use it or not. If you are, make a concerted effort to use all of it. Otherwise, let it go.Two final thoughts about decluttering:
- It's okay to have empty space in your home. Just because you cleared some space in a closet or drawer does not mean you need to fill it up again. Take some time to live with it just as it is and see if you feel okay living with less.
- When donating things you don't need anymore if you're one of those people who cannot drop off at the back of the charity shop without then going around to the front to explore, consider calling a charitable organization in your area to see if they will pick up. Many of them will come to you if there is enough stuff. This might be a good time to reach out to your neighbors and see if they're decluttering too.