14 Ways to Get Rid of Clutter
- May 2, 2018
- 5 min read
Do you find yourself asking the question, "How did I accumulate so much STUFF"? Do you have too many collections? Is your children's playroom/area overflowing with too much? Is your paper pile becoming too high or even reproducing itself into other stacks throughout the house? Not to worry, I am going to share with you how to make some quick and easy decisions to rid yourself of clutter!
Ask yourself,
"Do you use it"?
"Do you LOVE it"?
"Does it bring value"?
Here are 14 things that add to your clutter:
1. Duplicates- if you have three items that are the same, but you love one more than the other, I can guess what you do... You will 99% of the time grab the one you love. Therefore, get rid of the duplicates of the same items.
2. Surplus- I have a love/hate relationship with Costco. Yes, there are a lot of items there that you need to buy in bulk (diapers, baby wipes) but is there really value in stocking up on oversized jars of mayonnaise, 12 cans beans, or 6 pack of toilet bowl cleaner, just to name a few? Paper towels for instance seem like a good thing to buy in bulk, but ask yourself- "how fast do you go through a role of paper towels"? Do you really have the cupboard space to put it? Most of us don't have a restaurant size pantry. Does it end up in the garage only to add to your clutter? Little by little the garage becomes the place for overflow and the next thing you know you aren't parking your car in the garage any longer. Yes, the price per unit it less than the grocery store, but think about it like this- it is one more errand to run and since you are already at the local grocery store, wouldn't it be better to buy your daily household items there? It will save you time and money your spend on gas just to get to Costco. I'm not saying don't shop there, just shop there wisely.
3. Expired Items- Yes of course we look at the expiration date of our perishable food, but you should also spend time looking at the less obvious. Sunscreen, make up, spices, etc.
4. Uncomfortable Items- You might have a cute pair of jeans that make your derriere look fantastic, or an adorable sweater that is great looking but super scratchy, BUT do you wear them that often or are you always reaching for the comfortable clothing? Or you might have a blanket that was given to you from your favorite auntie but it's scratchy and you never use it-- I say it's time to donate those items and be rid of the clutter and space that it is taking up.
5. Paper- Oh that darn paper that is piling up and finding little corners on and around your horizontal surfaces! Most of us keep every manual that comes with every appliance or gadget. I have great news... the internet is your friend and answer. I feel very confident in saying that every time I look up a manual for something that I own online, it is there for me. Oh sweet freedom! I just love knowing that I can throw away the manuals and keep my file cabinets clutter free!
6. Business Cards- Not such a huge clutter maker, but none the less, they can add clutter in your purse, wallet or junk drawer. My suggestion is that as soon as some one hands you their card, get into the habit of entering their information into your phone asap! Then you can toss that little sucker!
7. "Should" Items- "I should really use that treadmill", or "I should really use that appliance/baking gadget". You probably bought those items in a moment of inspiration that you had. You set a goal to run while you watch your favorite TV shows or binged watch Game of Thrones, but no, that treadmill is collecting dust. You had great intentions to start making food from scratch, but unfortunately you became involved in something else that takes your time and it too is collecting dust and taking up prime real estate in your kitchen cupboards.
8. Gifts you DON'T love- Think of it like this: the value of the gift has come and gone. The person that gave it to you had the valuable moment of giving it to you; you had value in receiving the gift. But now you don't enjoy it or use it. It's ok to let it go, I promise!
9. Expensive Items- Donating doesn't make sense. You would feel guilty. Keeping the item will cost you more in the long run. The cost is physical clutter and mental clutter. Try reselling the item or donating it. Give yourself a deadline. If you can't resell it within three months, donate it.
10. Stained or Broken items- You tell yourself you can fix it, which I'm sure you can. If so, give yourself a time frame. If the item is not fixed in a week, you must get rid of it. It's easier to make the decision and get it done than to have it hanging over your head which = Mental Clutter!
11. Heirlooms- I do love family heirlooms. But I only keep them if there was a value connected to the item. For example, you were given a tea cup from your grandma and you have fond memories of her using that tea cup every time you visited. That tea cup mattered to your grandma. Then yes, keep it. If there is no value then you need to get rid of it.
12. Childhood Memories- I tell ya, it amazes me how my mom comes to my house and brings more and more things that she saved from when I was a child. It is so sweet. I remember asking her, "where did you store all of that?". I have two sisters and she must have saved more from them because they were older. I know as a mother we tend to keep more keepsakes from the first born than the third born!! Do you find yourself asking "should I hold on to this for my kids"? The answer is, NO!! They don't want it. They are going to busy collecting their own things. Again, just like in #11 only pass on items that have meaning.
13. Kid Clutter- After each stage of your children, only hold onto meaningful items. Not too many!
14. Books & Magazines- Books you didn't read- get rid of them. There is probably a reason why you didn't finish it. Magazines: don't hold on to a magazine that only has one article in it that you want to save. Take a picture of the article and make a file for it on your phone or computer. Then donate or recycle the magazine.
As Always,
Keep it Sweet and Neat,
Stephanie
P.S. Organizing is a skill. A skill that you can learn. Watch video
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