Inside: Starting your decluttering journey can be a little overwhelming. To make this process easier for you, here are ten things I wish I’d known before I started decluttering. Let this motivate you to begin your journey to a clutter-free home.
Are you tired of living in a messy and cluttered home? Do you waste a lot of time cleaning and maintaining a tidy space? Decluttering your home is key to creating a clutter-free and easy-to-clean space.
Like many of you, I used to spend my weekends doing chores instead of enjoying quality time with my family.
I would also shove items in the closets as soon as I knew someone was coming to visit.
Decluttering and maintaining a clutter-free home gave me a new sense of freedom. I spend less time cleaning and more time doing things I enjoy. Decluttering will also bring you a sense of liberation.
10 things I wish I’d known before I started decluttering
- It gets easier
Decluttering might take longer, depending on how many items you have in your home. The critical thing to do is to start decluttering.
As time passes, it gets much easier to declutter and let go of items you do not need that create clutter in your home.
It’s okay to feel attached to certain items, but remember, creating a space that brings you joy and peace is the goal.
- Bad spending habits
When I started decluttering my home, I realized I had terrible spending habits. But this realization gave me a sense of control.
I was buying things I didn’t need, and worse, I wasted much money.
Recognizing and changing these habits empowered me to take charge of my finances and home.
Mindful Shopping: 10 Ways to Save Money and Reduce Clutter
- Things do not bring happiness
As I was decluttering items in my home, I would remember when I made the purchase and feel happy at that moment, but that joy didn’t last long.
Those items would be in my home, reminding me of the money I spent instead of using that money to pay off debt.
- I have more than enough
Continuing my decluttering journey, I realized I always had more than enough. I had more than enough kitchen utensils, clothes, and decorations than I needed.
Now that I maintain my home, I still have enough. I own just what I need, use, and love.
Look around and realize that you have more than enough.
This is one of the main things I wish I’d known before I started decluttering, but I am glad I remind myself daily that I have more than enough.
- Shopping is not a form of self-care
This makes me laugh a little now that I think of it.
I would go shopping as soon as I got paid, thinking I deserved some self-care after a week of work. I thought, “I deserve it” for all the work I do.
Buying more items that you do not need does the opposite. The time you waste driving to and walking around looking for items to purchase. Then you bring these items home, which take up space in your already cluttered home.
Shopping is not a form of self-care, but there are other ways to practice self-care that you can do at home.
10 Simple Self-Care Ideas You Can Embrace at Home
- It’s okay to declutter gifts
When someone buys you a gift, their intention is not to add clutter to your home. It is a thoughtful gift and a sign that they care about you.
If it is an item you will use, keep it and use it, but if it is not, declutter it and donate it so someone who needs it can have it.
There is no need to hold on to an item that does not fit, is not your style, or you do not use.
After you receive a gift, you are free to do whatever you want with it. This will become easier with time.
- Memories are not in the items
When I started decluttering in 2020, I had difficulty letting go of my daughters’ stuff.
These items were school projects, homecoming mums, and t-shirts they did at school.
Now, I have one small box of some of my favorite items. The items do not contain memories.
We hold those memories in our minds and our hearts.
It is easier for me to declutter items that belong to my toddler. I have one small bin and will add and remove items as time passes.
- I should have started sooner
We can’t change the past, but I wish I had started decluttering and enjoying a minimalist lifestyle sooner.
Doing so would have helped me increase my savings and not feel as stressed as I used to.
The important thing is that I started, and you should start today.
- Nobody needs your stuff
Decluttering at first can be difficult, and you may want to give some items to family or friends.
Donating the item is a better choice unless they have asked.
When you give your family or friends unwanted clutter, you are adding clutter to their homes.
- Many benefits of a clutter-free home
If I had known the benefits of a clutter-free home, I would have started sooner.
These benefits include less stress, less time cleaning, and increased productivity.
Cleaning takes me less than thirty minutes during the week, and I never spend the weekend cleaning other than washing our bedsheets on Sundays.
A clutter-free space has also increased my productivity. I can quickly get more done without the clutter needing my attention.
I highly recommend the book by Joshua Becker, The Minimalist Home
Practical tips to start decluttering
- One area at a time
I suggest you start in your kitchen. You will be less attached to the items in your kitchen, and the kitchen area should be clutter-free to help make meals easier. Then, move on to the living room, bathroom, etc.
- Small sessions
You will be surprised at how much you can declutter during thirty-minute sessions. Set your timer and do small decluttering sessions daily, with a longer one on Saturday.
- Donate quick
Take the donations to the donation center as soon as possible to avoid going back and grabbing items and, more importantly, to avoid creating clutter in your home.
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Final thoughts
Decluttering is not a one-time thing, and then you are done. Depending on how many items you have, this may take you a bit longer.
The important thing is to start today.
Soon, you will easily maintain a clean, tidy, and clutter-free home.
I hope this list of ten things I wish I’d known before I started decluttering, along with these practical tips, helps you decide to start your decluttering journey now.