DIY Tips for People Who Dread Decluttering

Do you love the idea of cutting your clutter, but you’re dragging your feet on doing it? Sometimes, it can seem like a big job without a lot of benefits, but paring down can mean feeling better in addition to being more organized. Here’s how to turn this daunting task into a simple, fun, and effective lifestyle change.

Healthier and Happier

When considering the benefits of decluttering, one of the first things you probably think about is a tidier home. While that’s obviously a good thing, there are a number of other ways decluttering is good for you. In fact, paring down appears to be good for your mental and physical health. Being surrounded by “stuff” is linked with higher levels of stress and can have you feeling distracted and weighed down. With less clutter, your home collects less dust and allergens, and it’s a chance to savor things you really enjoy the most. It less cluttered home can help you better manage your weight, help you keep a more positive outlook, and improve how well you sleep.

Create an Action Plan

If you’re staring at piles of belongings, your closets are stuffed to the gills, and you can barely close your junk drawer, just figuring out how to start can be tough. Since it can be such a challenge, Angie’s List suggests developing a solid decluttering action plan; for example, list the sections of your home that need the most attention, and strategize how you want to work. You can sort your sections by location, how bad they look, alphabetically — you name it! Remember to include spaces you don’t normally spend time in, such as your basement and the garage. Plan to take small bites at a time; you’ll be amazed at how quickly it goes!

Once you have a solid plan of action, follow these six simple steps:

1. Empty – Pull all belongings from the space so you can see them.
2. Clean – Scrub the exposed surfaces of drawers, floors, shelves, etc.
3. Sort – Divide belongings into keepers, maybes, donations, and trash.
4. Remove – Part ways with the donations and trash.
5. Sort again – Return to the maybe pile and decide where to put those things.
6. Reload – Put the keepers away.

Maintain Your Mojo

Chances are, you won’t knock out all of your decluttering in a day. In fact, if you have a lot of clutter or a big home, or both, paring down might be something you peck at now and then. It feels great to see progress, but if you find you start losing steam, use some tricks to rekindle your energy. Simply opening your curtains to enjoy more natural light can help lift your mood, and some studies indicate playing upbeat music can be inspiring. Try this cleaning playlist from MakeSpace to raise your motivation, or make your own! It’s handy to have one on your phone so you can keep moving and grooving to your favorite tunes while you go from room to room.

Break It Down

If your goals are bulky and you’re getting bogged down, consider revisiting your list to break it into smaller, daily chunks. Some experts feel checklists can not only keep you on task but boost motivation as you knock things out. So, instead of looking back at your original list and seeing “bedroom,” take that and break it down more. Look for just a few things to do that day, like sort sweaters, add shelf liner paper, and recycle extra hangers.

Give It Away

As Elite Daily explains, being generous is a big motivator. One last simple trick: On days you look at your clutter and you’re just not feeling it, gather up your surplus things in the “remove” pile and distribute them to charities. It’s progress on your project, and you get good-feels from making a contribution to those less fortunate.

If you have a major decluttering job awaiting, embracing simple DIY tips can help you through.  Create an action plan and when things seem trying, find ways to stay motivated. In the end, you’ll not only have a tidier home, but you’ll also be healthier and happier.