Ah decluttering . . . it’s one of those things that we hear we need to do all the time, but it’s one thing to hear about it, and an entirely different thing to do it.
And everyone seems to have ideas for the “best way” to declutter.
(Though, most of them seem to forget just how *soul crushing* it feels to actually start slogging through piles of stuff).
Enter this post from yours truly.
I’ve struggled with decluttering. I’m naturally messy. I understand the struggle. I love emotional things.
So, I hope my ideas can help you. I’ve tested them in my own house, and they did something (something miraculous, actually).
Let’s get started, and may you find many tips that work for you!
Use the Container Rule
This is my number one rule in decluttering, and I got it from a wonderful lady named Dana K. White.
Basically, it’s the idea that a container is meant to contain things, which means that it can (and should) limit the number of items you have.
If you have a bin that’s for crafting and your crafts don’t fit in it, too bad! The container is the space, so you need to cut down on items until they fit in the container.
And containers don’t just have to be bins: cupboards are containers, dressers are containers, rooms are containers, even houses are containers—and they’re not meant to hold more than they can contain.
Use the container as the limit. Don’t force more than can naturally fit.
Use that limit to get rid of things that don’t matter as much.
Take pictures
I used to have a couple of big old boxes with sentimental items, but I paired it down to one small bin over the course of the last few years.
And you know what helped?
Taking pictures. I just snapped a quick photo of my favorite notes, messages, and fun (but not amazing) doodles so that I could go back and see them later—then I threw them out.
I still kept some cards and drawings that were extra special. But I found that I was happy to just have a photo for most of them instead of the piece of paper.
I like to use this trick for my kid’s artwork. I save the really special ones—maybe about 1 per month—and I just snap pictures of the other cool ones. It helps them (and me) to be okay with letting it go.
Pro tip: Use google keep to organize all your memory photos. I have a label for sentimental items. You can add the picture in-app and write a message to go with it. Plus, it’s free!
Do rooms or similar items all at once
I have a point down below that completely contradicts this—and that’s okay.
It’s honestly just a matter of learning what works for you at different times.
Sometimes in decluttering, it’s helpful to group similar items together (This is basically the KonMari Method from the book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up”).
Seeing everything all at once allows you to grasp what you have vs. what you probably need. That helps you pare down to a more ideal amount.
(If you want an exact numbers guide, you can check out Minimalist Mom’s Minimalism by the Numbers. I haven’t bought it, but I have eyed it many times. I think it could be very useful.)
Throw out stuff that’s broken or expired
This is a good “first step” to take if you’re really struggling with getting started. Just make a hard-and-fast rule that anything broken or expired goes.
You might be surprised by how much it is!
And if you want more ideas on stuff you can toss without thinking about it, take a look at this cool post.
Do one thing at a time
If you feel really overwhelmed by decluttering and just need to start, or if you have piles and piles to go through but don’t want to sort that pile into smaller piles, this is probably the method for you.
It might seem contradictory to the point from up above. But, like I said, it’s just a matter of figuring out what works for you and when.
Also, shoutout to Dana K. White, because this is totally her method (You can read more about it here).
Do declutter one item at a time, start by picking something up. Ask yourself where you would look for it if you needed it and take it there.
If you don’t think you would look for it, that’s your cue to get rid of it.
If you take it to the space you would look for it in, and it’s full, that’s your cue to use the container rule mentioned up above. Only keep what fits in the container. Declutter the rest.
This method is nice because it doesn’t make a bigger mess. (It just addresses the mess you already have.)
Toss what you haven’t used it in the last 6 months (or 12 months for seasonal stuff)
This is quite possibly my favorite decluttering rule because it reveals so much about the junk I like to hang on to.
Why do I need macrame crafting stuff if I haven’t touched it at all in the last year?
In fact, why we do keep so many things that we don’t ever use?
Something that the minimalist mom says is that we’re all minimalists at heart—we have our favorite items that we use over and over—we just don’t realize it because of the piles of other stuff.
That’s the great part about this question. It forces you to let go of items that you think you need, but that you actually don’t (because you don’t really use them in real life).
(For kids) ask “Do you like it?”
Once my oldest hit 4, she noticed if I got rid of stuff without her. So, I knew it was time to teach her my decluttering ways.
But the problem was, when I asked her about getting rid of things, the response was always desperate emotional clinging and expressions of intense adoration .
(Yes, intense adoration for the toys she’d forgotten under her dresser for 5 months).
But, I didn’t want to tell her that her desires were invalid, so I needed a different approach.
I tried several things, and for some reason this question was what finally hit home.
“Do you like it?” was a question she could say yes or no to. And we could let go of the stuff she didn’t like because we’d established that she didn’t like it.
As I used this question with her over time, she got used to decluttering and recognized its importance as a part of life.
Now she brings me items on her own and tells me what she doesn’t really use anymore!
Have a “maybe” box
This is a tip that I personally try to avoid (per my tip below about getting rid of things ASAP).
But, if you struggle at all with wanting to know you won’t need something (this is how my husband is), a “maybe box” might be for you.
Basically, you take the things you’re not sure about decluttering and put them into a bin. Then, you write the date on the outside.
When you come across the bin later (or come back and check it after a few months), you’ll know what you needed out of it.
Anything that’s left can go, because you obviously don’t use it!
Use the 20/20 rule
The 20/20 rule boils down to this: If you can buy it again in less than 20 minutes for less than $20, declutter it.
For us very frugal folk, this can be a hard one. But, I think the idea is that it’s easier to get rid of stuff if you remember it’s not necessarily forever.
(Y=I mean you can always find a replacement turtleneck if you happen to miss the one that’s two sizes two small and has been in the back of your closet for 2 years).
Set a number goal for the day
This is another one that I learned from FlyLady.
She teaches you to do what’s called a 27 Fling Boogie. Basically, you pick up 27 things to throw out or declutter. And when you hit 27, you’re done. That’s it.
What I like about decluttering to a number is that it gives you a simple, doable goal that’s easy to hit when you don’t have much time.
And, once you finish, you can feel proud about accomplishing something.
Ask how it makes you feel
This is essentially the KonMari idea of “Sparking Joy.” But, it’s easier for the layman or laywoman to understand.
Does your stuff make you feel bad? Bring back sad memories? Remind you of stupid disagreements?
Your home is YOUR space. It’s where you come to decompress and nurture your soul. Make it a good place to go to!
Let go of items that bring you down.
Remember that it’s okay to be imperfect
This is one that it took me time to learn.
When I first started to declutter, I fretted about doing it *perfectly.* I wanted to declutter once and be done forever.
How naive I was.
Decluttering isn’t something you finish and check off of your bucket list. (If it was ever on there. Ha!)
Decluttering is something you do over and over again.
And, once you realize you’ll have lots of opportunities to go through your stuff, it’s easier to gain momentum.
You just pull things to let go of and move on. And, if there’s anything you’re unsure about, you know you’ll get it the next time.
Get it out of the house ASAP
When you know you don’t want something, get it in a bin and out to the car. (It’s as simple as that.)
That way you can drop it off the next time you drive by the thrift store.
If your house is really bad (you may need to sit down before I say this), you actually have my permission to just throw things away.
The key is to move your stuff along so that you can feel the difference quickly. That will build your momentum.
Set a timer
This is another way to get a jumpstart when you want to declutter.
Have a pocket of time? Set a timer and pick a space. Then focus on pulling out all the things you obviously don’t use or need.
You might be surprised by what you accomplish with the focusing help of a timer!
Get rid of things that don’t fit life now
Far too many of us want to hold on to “someday” items. But ultimately, too many someday items prevent us from living today.
If you aren’t actively using it in the life you have, it’s not worth storing and maintaining it.
Let go of items, and use that space to build a life you love in the present.
If you must sell stuff, sell only high-value items
I get it; you want to maximize the return on items that you do have to get rid of.
But don’t let the hope of a monetary return keep you from the returns of decluttering itself.
In my experience, big items like furniture and appliances sell well on Facebook Marketplace.
Items like decor and clothes? The returns aren’t terrible, but they take longer than I’d like.
Basically, everything else is way more of a pain to sell than it’s worth.
So, if you do decide to post some of the items I listed up above, be wise about it. Don’t waste time on stuff that won’t sell.
And remember that giving yourself and your home space to breathe is worth money too.
Sometimes it’s best to just declutter without profits so you can have freedom!
Remember that what you have could bless someone else
I have to credit this concept to my sister-in-law. She’s the queen of decluttering, and she’s also an awesome Christian.
I remember her once saying that it’s silly to store something that could be a blessing to someone else.
And I remember thinking “Huh, yeah, I guess that makes sense.”
Since then, though, it’s helped me let go of countless “nice” things that I wasn’t using.
Why should I hoard them when someone else could be using them?
What a waste that would be!
Now go and declutter like a boss.
Phew, you made it through that list!
I hope you found some great ideas. Thanks for sticking with me!
If you want more advice, check out my cleaning and organizing section. There’s a lot more good information there!
Remember to be patient with yourself!
