We live in a tiny little house and I just can't seem to keep it tidy. I've realised over the past week that we just have too much stuff!
It seems that there is just not enough room to have a place for everything - I do get it tidy at least once a week but things just get put somewhere to get them out of the way - once they are used again they just get in the way until the next time I stash it somewhere else.
I am so over it!
Not sure if it's early nesting or just crazy 'over it' hormones but I am determined to declutter.
Have you ever had a decluttering frenzy?
Any tips or suggestions?
I think I'm going to do one room at a time - be brutal with the clutter and then organise what's left in some kind of logical way.
I'm really hoping it will help keep the house tidy - bring it on!
My only tip is to be ruthless, thats the only way i can do it, and i dont think about stuff, i pick something up, first thought 'chuck it' ok and i do and dont think about it.
and yea, do one room at a time, so its not such a big intimidating job
You go girls!! Decluttering is AWESOME! Be careful though.... once you start you can't stop.
My one bit of advice is to limit yourself to one drawer, one cupboard or one room at a time. I started with my kitchen - the first cupboard was the recipe cupboard (I was so proud I posted pics on FB). Next to go were the drawers, followed by the pantry. DH was appalled when he first discovered I threw out cuttlery (it was old and grucky - not even vinnies would want it!).
Next weekend I'm starting on under the sink(s) - kitchen, ensuite, bathroom and laundry. The week after that is the linen press. I give myself a small job to complete otherwise I find myself in a bigger mess than I started with!
Sorry... meant to add that I've slowly been getting rid of things too by putting them up on Gumtree. Better than a garage sale (as I couldn't handle the planning) and it puts a few dollars in your back pocket!
Well if it is crazy hormones, then I always have them lol. I don't do clutter. It ruins my zen....my hoarder DD is testing me I'm sure lol.
Start small so it's achievable and you're spurred on by success.
Totally agree with Teirae and Cass with the be ruthless and put it away. If it doesn't have a home either re-prioritise something else or get rid of it.
I have a six month rule - if it hasn't been used it goes, if the temptation to keep it remains while waiting to sell/recycle, sometimes you need to trash it - out of sight/out of mind
I also love baskets, clear plastic storage containers and Tupperware storage for sorting, storing and keeping things looking tidy..... and yep before you ask, I'm anal
You could always do a Carrie Bradshaw and make three piles - Keep, Store or Trash!!!
I was going to start yesterday but it was so hot I flopped and wasted the day away under the fan lol - but today I start!
I'm starting in the bathroom and laundry - both small and relatively uncluttered so I can get them done in one day hopefully. And that will spur me on to the rest of the house.
DDs room will be the worst - only 2 weeks until Christmas holidays for her so if I've got to get it all done before then - I'll be doing it while she is at school so she doesn't have to throw things out lol - I can see that being such a challenge for me!!
A few tips from Organized Simplicty! (Wonderful book!)
Tour your house and ask yourself these questions about each room>>
What is the ideal purpose for this room? Who uses it? Is it satisfying for that person? Who doesn't use it? Do they have stuff in there that needs to be moved? In what ways will the idea purpose of this room fit into your family needs?
Basically making the most of what you have got - once you get to that point you can then declutter!! Asking 2 questions based on the quote " Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful".
Is this thing useful to me (us?)
Is this thing beautiful to me (us) ?
If the answer is NO to both of these questions, toss it into a give/sell box or a bin it box.
This has given me the kick up the bum to do the same before Christmas - I cling onto so SO much crap for I don't know what reason and really need to stop. I have SO much that is neither beautiful or useful, memories will still be there without the knick knacks so decluttering I WILL go!!
Her guide to decluttering is to remove everything out of the room - going a BIT far unless you have 6 mths to clean but I think everything needs to be sorted out of every room so start with clothes or toys and finish that completely before going to the next thing!! Toys are good to do when the kids aren't there!!
Ok that is all from me now, hope that is some food for though!!
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Keeping it simple - so over clutter!!
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