April 11, 2023
Ready to declutter and let go of the things that you no longer need, use or love? Or perhaps you need to prepare your house for sale?
If you are ready to act, here are three steps to follow BEFORE you start decluttering that will help maximize your efforts, increase your efficiency, and ultimately lead to more success in the process.
Three Steps Before You Start Decluttering
1.Know “Why” You’re Decluttering
“Why am I doing this?” and “How do I want to feel afterwards?” are two key questions to ask yourself. Whether you want to feel less burdened by your belongings, have more control of your environment, or something else, knowing your reason for decluttering is a crucial first step.
To determine your “why”, you may want to think about what adds value to your life, as opposed to what adds stress to it. You may want to close your eyes and truly envision how your home will look, feel, and function when it is decluttered. Visual clarity helps immensely in getting us closer to where we want to be.
2.Develop a Decluttering Plan: How, When, Where, Who
Once you know why you want to declutter and know how you want to feel, you need a plan to help you stay on track.
How:
You can declutter by type of item (all winter clothing in your house, all memorabilia, etc.) or declutter room by room. You also should decide if you are decluttering on your own, with family or friends, or with professional help.
When:
Depending on how much time you have, you may spend a few hours every day for a week, commit 1-2 full days to get it all done, or do a combination of the two. Adding decluttering to your calendar will help make it a priority and help you avoid the “I don’t have time right now”.
Where:
It is important to make space for the items that you will keep, toss, donate, or recycle. Visually seeing what you have all laid out helps in decision-making. Once you are done decluttering, move items out of sight to avoid second-guessing yourself. Quickly box or bag unwanted items and move them out of your house. Keeping a permanent donation box, bin or bag that is easily accessible makes it easy to add unwanted items at any time.
Who:
Determining who will want your unwanted items is important to consider during your decluttering. It saves time and possible frustration at the end.
Setting realistic expectations while developing your decluttering plan is key. Usually, certain areas of a home are easier to declutter than others. For example, closets and kitchens are normally faster and easier than mementos and books. Bathroom items are usually easier than paperwork. Knowing that it often takes longer than we think to declutter and organize effectively, leave yourself enough time and energy to do it well.
3.Prepare your decluttering supplies.
You don’t need too many supplies to declutter. But having these essential items will help make the process easier and more efficient:
Follow these three steps before you begin to declutter, however, we understand that in certain cases you might need professional help doing all of that.
Contact us and we can help you navigate whatever situation you are in.
Ecko Jay Realty Ltd.