Now I know that the blogs seen here about homes are always about how to clean certain areas, items, and or even types of cleaning services, but what about the steps before the clean? How can we have a fully clean home if we have our belongings everywhere and our space is really just lacking feng shui? So, let's speak to decluttering our space, and in this blog we are going to speak to the smaller spaces, because just because they may be little, doesn't mean the process is any less harder! Also, you can't really have a clean home if it's not somewhat organised. This goes for if you're doing your own home cleanings and or having a recurring cleaning service. Things need to be out of the way for a superior clean.
Ok, the rant is over.
Let's get to it.
Evaluate Your Space
When it comes to decluttering a small space, it’s crucial to start by evaluating your entire place first.
This includes what your space looks like, what you want it to look like, the areas that are the most chaotic, and what belongings you have within your space that you need, want, and are disposable.
What do You Want To Accomplish
Let’s figure out the why:
Do you want to create more space for a hobby or guests?
Or maybe your tight quarters are giving you a bit of anxiety?
Whatever the reason maybe, having a plan and being able to accomplish that said plan, will help you stay focused on the task at hand as well as keep you positive and hopeful for a successful outcome.
Sort through your Items
How many of us really know what we own? There are so many items that we either bought on a whim when we just stepped foot in Target for example, and they have that little section with the cute cheap tchotchkes.. Let's not pretend we don't all do that. Then also all the items and clothes that your Mom or Aunt thought you would like and those items then just get thrown in a drawer or closet to never see the light of day.
Sorting through our items not only will it help us keep track of our belongings, but it will also make it easier to decide what to keep and what to get rid of. The fun part about this is all of the hidden treasures we will find that we forgot we had and or thought we lost.
This part can be a bit messy, but that's ok! To really get organised, you have to go through everything first. Try putting like items together to make it easier when it's time to put things away.
Keep, Donate, Or throw away
This is where it gets difficult. Parting with our items can be really hard, because well even though it may broken, or we haven't used them in years, we have them for some reason and there is now an attachment to that said item.
Here are some tips to help you with these tough decisions:
Keep: Items that we need, things we use, things we love, and lastly items we can actually wear in the moment. Yes I know we all have those certain clothes from college that we want to get back into, but let's not torture ourselves and clutter our space. We deserve better.
Donate: Items that are still in working, good condition, you forgot you had for years, you will never use or wear.
Throw Away: Broken, damaged, old as in not vintage, expired items. Things that just take up space with no use for you or anyone else. Like all the dead batteries in the junk drawer.
Your space should represent you to the fullest, so everything in your space should have a meaning and purpose! Show people who you are when they come over.
Decluttering
Now that you’ve created a plan for your space, it’s time to start the decluttering process.
Here are some tips:
Make categorised spaces: This involves sorting items into the categories we spoke to earlier: keep, donate, and throwaway. Now if you would like, you can make a maybe and or a sell section as well!
Start with items that have little to no value to you: Starting with some easy items can help you feel incontrol of the clutter and give you immediate accomplishments!
Take needed mental breaks! This is isn't easy.
Sentimental items: This part can be challenging, but it’s important to go through and declutter. If you have lot of photos, keep important ones, and or take pictures and upload them to your phone or computer. Share them with friends and family. If it's old art projects from kindergarten, take pictures of those as well. Hang things on the wall if you love them, make a small keepsake box, but it's just going to continue to clutter your home, it's time to separate yourself from these items.
Take needed mental breaks! This isn't a race. It's ok to walk away for a bit.
conclusion
Remember that this isn't an easy process. This isn't just cleaning your home or taking out the trash, this is your life and these items had/have a lot of meaning at one point or the other. Everything is a memory in someway. Just take it one step at a time and be kind to yourself, but also push yourself to accomplish the goal you have in mind.
Once you have decluttered your space, set aside time for cleaning weekly or bi-weekly, or invest in a cleaning service. Lastly, making sure to put things back in their proper place and being mindful of what you bring into your home. Always have in mind, does this bring value to my home and most importantly, does this bring value and joy to me.
You did it, now just relax and enjoy your space. After all, you deserve it.
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