The Decluttering Process
Living a simpler life can be an incredibly rewarding experience, and it all starts with decluttering! Discarding items that no longer have a place in your life, such as outdated garments or furniture that doesn’t match your aesthetic, can be daunting. The following decluttering process can help you get started: sorting, tidying, organising, and then maintenance.
Sorting
Start your decluttering process by creating a manageable plan of action, such as focusing on one drawer or one room. Once you have a plan in place, it’s time to begin getting rid of items. Deciding what to keep and what to part with can be challenging, so make sure to stick to your plan.
1. categorise
Get three boxes (or make piles on the floor) and label them as:
- KEEP – items that without doubt deserve a place in your home
- DONATE/SELL – any items of good quality that you no longer need/want
- TRASH/RECYCLE – items that can be recycled or are in poor condition/broken
2. decide
Go through each item and ask yourself:
- Is this necessary? Have I used it in the last year?
- For what purpose would I need this?
- Does it add any value to my life?
If the answer is no to these questions, then it’s time to get rid of it. Pop it into the relevant box (DONATE/SELL or TRASH/RECYCLE). If you are still having trouble deciding ask yourself: When was the last time you used this item? Do you even like it, or are you thinking more about the money that you spent on it? Sometimes we get stuck with the process of decluttering because we know the item cost a lot and we won’t get that money back. But if you’ve had it a while and never used it, are you likely to use it now? Sometimes it’s best to accept the loss and move on. Holding onto that item will just remind you of the spent money every time you see it and never use it (causing mental clutter).
Tip 1: If you find an item that belongs in another room, leave it at the door. It can be very distracting to start going into other rooms while decluttering. It might be tempting to start another decluttering project while you are still in the middle of one, but it’s best to stay focused on the current task.
Tip 2: If you’re unsure about certain items, consider putting them in a “halfway house” box. Never open the box unless you know there’s something in it that you need.
Tidying
Once all items have been sorted, it’s time to tidy up the area. It’s a good practice to clean the space before arranging the items. Pull out everything, clean it, and look at the space to see how you can arrange the items you wish to keep. This is an opportune time to measure the space if you plan on purchasing containers, baskets, furniture, etc.
Organising
After you have finished cleaning, take the time to plan the best way to organise the area. For example, in the kitchen, the cupboard above the kettle is ideal for storing mugs, tea, and coffee, as it’s easily accessible. Alternatively, the top shelf of the pantry can be used to store items that you don’t need to access often, like cereals and grains. For out-of-season clothing that won’t be accessed often, a basket in the hard-to-reach spot at the top of the wardrobe is perfect, as we don’t need to get to them very often. Utilise storage baskets or containers to store larger items neatly, and drawer organisers to store smaller items together. This will help make the most of the space, and make it easy to find items when you need them. Additionally, it is also helpful to label any areas where this may help maintain the organisation of the area. This will ensure that you can easily keep track of where everything is stored, and make it easier to keep the area organised in the future.
Automating & Maintenance
Decluttering shouldn’t be a one-time event. Scheduling regular maintenance days to keep up with your progress is a great way to stay organised. This will help keep your space clutter-free and make it easier to find items when needed.
To make this simpler in our home, we divide our home into six sections and give each section a deep clean and declutter twice a year. That means we know that, once a month, one area will get a deep clean and declutter. As we get better at the task of decluttering and organising, and also better at not allowing too much excess into our home, this process gets easier and faster over time.
I like to think of it as a way of “automating” the process, as it takes away the mental energy of having to remember to do it—as it is already is on the calendar! This system that works well for us where we schedule a specific day every month to one of the six sections. This helps us to ensure that all of the areas are given the proper attention and care they need. This is what it our schedule looks like:
| Area of Home | 1st deep clean & declutter | 2nd deep clean & declutter |
|---|---|---|
| master bedroom | January | July |
| kids bedroom | February | August |
| bathroom, landing & hall | March | September |
| living room & office | April | October |
| kitchen & dining | May | November |
| loft | June | December |
This frequency might be too much for some and not enough for others. It’s just an example, create a plan that works for you.
Continue these steps for all areas of your home:
sort → tidy → organise → maintain
Decluttering can be intimidating, but with a bit of planning and commitment, it can be made much simpler. Set goals and plan ahead to make the most of your efforts. Once you’re done, take a moment to celebrate your success. Give yourself a pat on the back for all the hard work and enjoy the feeling of a decluttered home.
To maintain your progress, schedule regular maintenance days to keep your space tidy and organised. Before you know it, decluttering will become a natural part of your home. Enjoy the newfound space and simplicity. With a bit of effort, a simpler life is within reach.
If you want to go further:
Decluttering doesn’t have to be limited to physical items. Consider decluttering your life in other ways, such as reducing commitments and saying no to things that don’t bring value. Streamline your to-do list, finances, meal planning, and travel essentials. Find ways to simplify your life and make room for what truly matters.
Do you enjoy decluttering? Do you have a different method? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear from you 🤍
