There's no doubt about it: clutter is stressful. Not only does it make it hard to find what you need, but research shows that living in a cluttered space can lead to all sorts of health problems, from anxiety to insomnia. So, let's dive into decluttering your home... but where do you start? Focus on creating designated spaces for items to enhance efficiency and clarity. As you embark on this journey, ensuring that you rent the right dumpster for the job will be a massive help in getting you to do a thorough clean out, as having a large container hired will incentivise you to throw away things that would otherwise be too cumbersome to take to the dump yourself. In order to use this dumpster properly, it's vital you embrace the right mindset and remove attachment to items you simply don't need. This step is crucial for efficiently disposing of excess items, contributing to a well-organized and tranquil living space. Check out additional tips below and create a purposeful plan to help you transform your home into a haven of balance and order.
1. Start by decluttering one room at a time.
Most people think they need to hurry and get the largest areas done first, but it's actually better to start with smaller areas. Since decluttering can be such a major task, you're less likely to get overwhelmed if you just focus on one small room at a time.
Once you've finished that first room, the second room won't seem so bad, and then the third, and so on. Don't overwhelm yourself too much by trying to declutter your whole house at once.
2. Set aside an entire day for the job.
It may sound counterproductive, but don't do your decluttering in fifteen-minute chunks here and there throughout the week. You'll make little progress this way and run out of steam fast. Once you schedule a whole day dedicated to getting rid of all your excess stuff, you'll have no choice but to power through it once and for all!
You might not finish everything in that one day, but you’ll get awfully close.
3. Make three piles: keep, donate, or throw away.
When it comes to deciding what you want to keep or let go of, don't think about whether the items make you happy. Instead, ask yourself if they have a purpose, and how much space they take up. Then, make your three piles. In your "keep" pile, place items that you use frequently and that don't take up too much space. Renting out a self storage facility in Brighton could be a good idea if something has been collecting dust in your room for years, even if it's sentimental, then make the leap: get rid of it. If it's still in good condition, put it in your "donate" pile! Someone else might benefit from it. But if it's broken or too old and tattered, simply throw it away.
This stage of decluttering might be a great time to consider renting a roll-off dumpster. Such dumpsters, like the ones available at redbox+ Orange County dumpster rental, can be a breath of fresh air. Why? Because you may find that you have far more trash than you realized. Renting a roll-off dumpster enables you to get rid of all that trash in one go, instead of having to make multiple trips to the dump. After all, in those multiple trips to the dump, you might tire out and decide not to throw away the clutter... and we wouldn't want that!
4. Label everything so you know where everything goes.
If your shelves are cluttered, it's nearly impossible to find what you're looking for. That's why it's so important to organize and declutter them in the first place!
Use labels like "books," "dishes," or "vases," and add a few extra arrows on each shelf just in case someone bumps into them and they get moved around. This way, you'll be able to quickly put everything back where it belongs without too much hassle.
5. Finally, remember that the journey is just as important as the destination.
Don't expect yourself to have a spotless home in a few hours or even a couple of days! You can set up your home in the most organized way and still find new items being added into the mix. Becoming organized and decluttered takes time.
So, give yourself grace if you get a little disorganized after decluttering. But! That doesn't mean you stop trying. Nope, you've still got to get back to work and declutter the space once more.
Conclusion
Decluttering can feel overwhelming, especially since it's not a one-time or finite process. But guess what? That's okay! Each time you declutter, you'll get better at it. And by following these tips—starting small, setting aside time, making piles, labeling everything, and enjoying the journey—you'll soon find that the process wasn't as painful as you'd thought.