Managing the clutter in my home seems to be an on-going endeavor. I am constantly listening to podcasts, watching videos, and reading tips and strategies from experts that discovered methods to help people with this never-ending issue. Here are five of my favorite tips that I picked up along the way that I use to control the clutter in our home.
- Using A Timer
Using a timer is one of my favorite go-to tips when I am doing a task around my house that I do not enjoy. I turn it into a game. How much can I complete within the allotted time? I usually start small. Ten minutes to go through a drawer, a box, or any small space. Twenty, thirty, or sixty minutes depending on how motivated I am feeling in the moment, for an area that requires more time. I usually re-set the timer again to go for another round because I am in the rhythm of doing the task.
- The 5-Minute Rule
This goes along the same theme as using a timer, but it is only for five minutes. Five minutes may not sound like much time, but you can complete a lot in only five minutes. Pick a drawer, a shelf, a box, a stack of papers or any small area and set your timer for five minutes with the intention of putting all your attention and focus to this one single task. I am always amazed how much I complete in five minutes. If it is a bigger area that I am dreading to face, I will tell myself, “Just do it for five minutes every day”. Even if it takes you a week or more to complete, that is okay. Baby steps are still progress.
- Be A Gatekeeper For Your Home
When you have multiple people living in your home it can become cluttered very quickly, because you are not the only person bringing new things into your space. Being mindful of what comes into your home and not allowing every little thing to stay helps keep the clutter under control. Consistently being mindful of each item that stays and goes is a never-ending process. This also goes in hand with making mindful purchases. Putting an end to impulsive shopping or not buying something just because it is new and shiny can prevent more things from entering your home that you no longer want by next month.
- Be Honest With Yourself
When I get to the point in my decluttering process where it feels like I am at a standstill, and I do not know if I should keep something because of the memories that it triggers, or the possibility of using it one day that never seems to come, or because I spent money on the item, I ask myself some questions. Does this item bring value to my life? I first heard this quote from “The Minimalists” and I find myself always asking this question when I feel stuck in my decluttering process. If the answer is no, then the item should be evicted immediately so that it is no longer taking up residence in your home. “The Minimalists” also have a great expression that says, “Your memories are not in your things”. They may trigger your memories, because those memories are inside of you and not in the item. This helps me to let go of items that I consider sentimental, but no longer adds value to my life. Another question you can ask yourself is, “Do I use it or love it?”. Only keeping items in your space that you use and are your favorites creates an environment that is filled with peace and calm.
- Start With A Small Area First
Instead of looking at the whole picture of what needs to be accomplished around your space, narrow down your vision. Pick one single small area like one drawer, one shelf, one box, one corner, etc. and start there. After picking one small space, this is when you set a timer for a certain number of minutes that sound easy to complete and you can handle in that moment, or just use the 5-minute rule because we can do anything for five minutes. Focus on the obvious things first. For instance, throw all the trash away first. Keep a trash can by your side for easy access. If it is something that belongs in another area of your home, then you can either take it to that location and put it away, or when the timer is up take the items immediately to that location and put it where it belongs. If you think you will be distracted if you leave your spot to put something away and may not return, then wait until the timer goes off and immediately put the items away.
When your home feels overwhelming due to all the clutter and you have no idea where to start or feel defeated before you even begin, start small. Narrowing down your focus to a designated small section, setting a timer to make it a game, and being honest with yourself while asking some direct questions that make you analyze what is important to you at this point in your life can have a profound impact on handling your clutter. Give yourself grace and permission to make gradual accomplishments, even if it is five minutes per day. Slow and steady baby steps are still progress.