Our new clients often tell us they feel overwhelmed by their clutter and don’t know where to begin. Starting someplace – anyplace – is the best option. Take baby steps and focus on what you’ve accomplished rather than what yet has to be done.
There is no “right place” to start, as we are all different. Select an area that doesn’t intimidate you. Your initial objective is to get the momentum going!
Here are some tips to help you start the process:
Start small – Your medicine cabinet is a great place to begin. Many items have expiration dates so those decisions are easy to make. The space is small, so the project may take only 20 minutes. As an added benefit, if you begin to feel overwhelmed when you tackle other projects, you can go back to the cabinet and re-experience the joy of being organized.
Start with a hotspot – Often, there is an area of your home that drives you crazy. For example, the unopened mail has piled up on the kitchen counter and is sliding toward to stove… or you haven’t seen the top of your dining room table in years, and company is coming. You are highly motivated to get the “monkey off your back” to regain a sense of order. Remove what doesn’t belong in the space and sort similar items together into containers as you go.
Start with what you haven’t used in years – Has your spare room become a dumping ground? This might be an easy place for you to start because you know for a fact that much of the contents hasn’t been used in years… or decades!
Once you’ve made the decision on where to begin, here are some tips to ease the process:
Limit your decluttering time – Don’t bite off more than you can chew in one session. Decision making can be draining, so determine the amount of time that works with your energy – two, three or four hours.
Make appointments with yourself – It’s easy to have good intentions but harder to do the actual work. Dedicate time to declutter by noting it on your calendar. Chances are better that you’ll keep the appointment. How does three hours every other Saturday morning sound to you?
Be kind to yourself – There is often shame associated with clutter. It took you years to accumulate, and it won’t disappear in one session. Don’t judge yourself. Keep your focus on your goal of finding what you need quickly and having a space that is harmonious and energizing.
Let us know how you start – we’d love to hear about it!
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