In today’s fast-paced world, our living spaces can quickly become cluttered, leading to increased stress and decreased productivity. Embarking on a decluttering journey not only transforms your home but also brings mental clarity and a sense of accomplishment. By following these practical steps, you can create an organized environment that fosters peace and efficiency.
Map out what spaces of your house you want to work on
Depending on how “bad” of shape you think you’re in, this could be big spaces (“bedroom”), or you could get more granular (“dresser”, “bedroom closet”, “nightstand/under bed”). Think about what will motivate you the most!
How I like to do this:
I write down the big spaces, with the smaller ones underneath:
Bedroom
- Dresser
- Nightstand
- Closet 1
- Closet 2
Kitchen
- Above fridge
- Fridge
- Lower cabinets
- Upper cabinets
Decluttering doesn’t have to be an overwhelming, all-day affair
Implementing effective time management strategies can make the process more manageable:
Set Clear Goals: Identify specific areas to tackle and allocate a realistic timeframe for each. This focused approach prevents burnout and keeps you motivated.
Schedule Sessions: Dedicate 15-30 minutes daily to decluttering task; consistent, brief sessions can lead to significant progress over time without feeling daunting. OR you can schedule larger chunks of time (like 4 hours) to declutter and organize.
Prioritize Tasks: Start with areas that impact your daily life the most, such as the kitchen or bedroom. Addressing high-traffic zones first can provide immediate relief and encourage continued efforts.
How I like to do this:
I give myself x hours to do as many areas as I think I can. For example:
4 hours for
- Bedroom- dresser
- Bedroom- closet 1
- Bedroom- closet 2
Tidy your space
Things are going to get worse– and messy– before they get better. Take out all the trash and recycling, and put things away. You don’t need to go into full-on cleaning mode, but make your space workable.
How I like to do this:
Make sure I’m not overwhelmed by my space before I start
Get to work!
Remove all the things from the space you’re working in, and ensure you like or actively use it. When working in your kitchen, take note of expiration dates. Touch every item– yes, every item– and ask yourself, “Do I like this? Do I wear/use it?” If you cannot immediately say yes, then it’s gone. What about saving things “for x occasion”? Think critically about if you’ll actually use/wear it for that occasion, or if it’s just taking up space in your home (and mind!).
- Start a new pile with the things you’re keeping
- For the things you’re not keeping, think about whether they can be donated (Goodwill/Savers, Buy Nothing Facebook group), or if they need to be trashed/recycled. Personally, I try to keep whatever I can out of landfills and love utilizing Goodwill/Savers and Buy Nothing!
How I like to do this:
I go through my space once, and then another time, to make sure I really do like/use the things I’m keeping
Think about how to best store your things in this space
This also includes thinking about your current pain points.
- Is folding laundry hard for you, and a barrier to putting your clothes away? Okay, then don’t fold certain things (T-shirts, sweatshirts)! Do you do better when you’re able to see your clothes (vs. in a drawer) and have enough room? Hang as much as you can!
- Does all of your tupperware come crashing down every time you need to use something? Are you trekking across the kitchen every time you want a glass for water? Is there a better location where these things could be, or a better way to store them?
- For some, storing tupperware with the lid on is best because they’d rather spend more time putting it away (with lid) vs taking it out; for others, they’d rather put away quickly (store lid in a specific place) and spend more time when taking it out
- Do you need some/more systems to keep you organized? Think about what you already have and it can be repurposed or moved around, before you go out and buy something new!
- Would drawers be more helpful, or would bins be better? Or maybe nothing at all!
How I like to do this:
Would I rather spend more time putting something away, or taking it out?
- If you like to spend more time putting things away/less time taking things out, I like to make sure things have a very specific “home” (a smaller bin/basket)
- If you like to less time putting things away/spend more time taking things out, I like to utilize larger “zones” (a shoe basket, vs shoe rack)
- Think about how I can get dressed/make a meal the most efficient way as possible.
Put it back
Put your things back in their spaces, and remember that you might not get it right the first time.
When hanging things, I like to flip your hangers around. When you wear an item, flip the hanger the correct way. After a certain amount of time (for me, I like to do this at the end of each season), you’ll easily be able to see what you wore and what you didn’t wear.
How I like to do this:
Pretend that this space is a store, and I want to shop from it.
Give it time
Spend some time in your new space to see what’s working (and what’s not!). Is it now too hard to get those certain things you use daily in the kitchen? No worries– think about what space would be better, then make it happen.
How I like to do this:
I give myself 1-2 weeks with my new system, and if I find myself getting frustrated time and time again, I know what I need to fix
Other things to consider:
Dreading the process? Create a deadline and write it down. Yes, write it down– you’re more likely to do it if it’s written down!
Reward yourself. This will be a mental and time consuming process– give yourself something to look forward to at the end of it. Some of my favorites: a dinner at my favorite restaurant, a new piece of art, or a trip to the movies.
It’s important to let go of items that no longer serve us, even if they were gifts or held sentimental value in the past. Remember, the joy they once brought doesn’t diminish when we choose to part with them.
Feel bad about getting rid of the cheeseboard your aunt got you 6 years ago? Your aunt loved you when she got you that cheeseboard, and you getting rid of it won’t change a thing… and she probably forgot she gave it to you!
Finding it hard to get rid of those “special” pair of shoes you spent a lot of money on? They served you when you needed them, and will make someone else at Goodwill/Savers or Buy Nothing much happier than they’re making you in your closet.
Put things you don’t use regularly away and out of sight. If it’s February, you’re not wearing those shorts or bathing suits for another few months (unless you’re lucky!). Store them away so they’re not taking up valuable space. Only bake once in a while? Put those baking supplies and kitchenaid mixer somewhere less accessible, to make room for something you’ll use more often.
Embarking on a decluttering and organizing journey is a personal and transformative experience. By approaching it with patience and intentionality, you can create a harmonious living space that reflects your true self. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection but progress. Celebrate each small victory and enjoy the newfound clarity and peace that comes with an organized home.
Ready to get organized?
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About Jenna
I’m Jenna, the force behind Perfectly Aligned. I thrive on orchestrating seamless events and organizing every detail with precision. From managing the most elaborate events to transforming cluttered spaces into havens of order, I love creating order to contain the chaos.
For years, I’ve honed my skills by organizing my friends’ homes by helping them to reduce clutter, find systems that work, and turn their space into something that makes them feel aligned. And after years of planning events for my friends, I’ve found joy in wedding coordination. With 10+ years of project management experience at companies like Fitbit, Bose, Peloton, iRobot, and SharkNinja, I’m able to transfer those skills to work with couples to make sure their special day isn’t full of sweating the small stuff so they can celebrate stress-free.
With an arsenal of google sheets and an unwavering dedication to my craft, Perfectly Aligned was born. If you’re looking for home organization or wedding coordination, I would love to work with you!
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