How To Declutter Your Home With Purpose

When your home is filled with clutter it can feel like an overwhelming mess. Stacks of paper and tupperware on the kitchen countertop to kids toys about the Living Room. I get it. Tackling the mess is an ongoing struggle in my home. But, I assure you, a dramatic reorganization of your home will cause dramatic changes in your lifestyle and perspective. I mean it! Tidying up will change your way of thinking and your approach to life. When you put your house in order, you put your affairs and past in order, too. As a result, you can see clearly what you need in life and what you don't and what you should and should't do.  

Most people would prefer to live in a clean and tidy space. But many don't think its possible. Here are my top 7 tips and acquiring the right mind set for creating order and becoming a tidy person. I guarantee you will be surrounded only by things you love!

1. Start with one space

Tidying brings visible results. The ultimate secret to success is this: if you tidy up in one shot, rather than little by little, you can dramatically change your mindset. This approach is key. Choose one room at a time and organize and purge that one room. If you concentrate your efforts on eliminating clutter completely in one room within a short span of time, you'll see instant results that will empower you to keep your space in order.

2. Give yourself a good window of time

The process of deciding what to keep and what to discard will go much more smoothly if you block off a few hours for each space and begin with items that are easier to make decisions about. The best sequence is this: clothes first, then books, papers, and mementos. Sticking to this sequence sharpens your sense of what items bring you joy. This will accelerate the speed of your decision making process.

3. Have boxes at the ready

Designate a place for each thing. This is the routine I follow every day when I return from work. First, I walk in my house and announce "I'm home!" then I take off the shoes I wore today and place them neatly on the shoe rack. Heading into the kitchen, I lay out dinner from the refrigerator place it on the countertop and go to my bedroom and take off my work clothes, hang them neatly and say "Good Job!". I select the clothes from my dresser I feel like wearing inside and get dressed. I did not give you this detailed report to boast about my beautiful lifestyle, but to demonstrate what its like to have a designated spot for everything. Keeping your space tidy becomes second nature. You can do it effortlessly, even when you come home tired from work, and this gives you more time to enjoy life.

4. Stay guilt-free and focused

When you come across something that's hard to discard, consider carefully why you have that specific item in the first place. When did you get it and what meaning did it have for you then? Reassess the role it plays in your life. If, for example, you were gifted clothes or accessories, but never wear them, examine them one at a time. What has each piece taught you about your current life? It has taught you what doesn't suit you, in fact it has already completed its purpose. Say "Thank you for giving me joy when you were gifted to me" and let it go!

5. Take photos for memories

Can you truthfully say that you treasure something buried so deeply in a closet or drawer that you have forgotten its existence? Let them go, with gratitude. Take a photo of any items that you no longer want in your space, but have sentimental value. You feel clear and refreshed when you're done.

6. Use attractive organizing products

We need to accurately grasp how much we actually own. And we fail to grasp how much we own because our storage methods are too complex. In order to avoid excess stock we must simplify storage. Utilize organization bins like canvas lined wicker baskets for visible areas. This will keep down the clutter and keep storage as simple as possible.

7. Establish rules against future clutter

I swear to you tidying can be done thoroughly and quickly, all in one go. The only tasks that you will need to continue for the rest of your life are those of choosing what to keep and what to discard and of caring for the things you decide to keep. 

You can put your house in order now, once and forever. Pour your time and passion into what brings you the most joy, your mission in life. Tidying up will change your way of thinking and your approach to life. When you put your house in order, you put your affairs and past in order. 

Need help refining the purpose, aesthetic, and functional layout of your space? I’m here for you. Shoot me an email and let’s get started!

Until next time,

Michelle