Decluttering is not just about cleaning your house it’s your mindset Part 2

Strategies for a long-term decluttering plan

Start small. Instead of trying to tackle an entire room, begin with one small, high-traffic area. Clear off your kitchen counter or organize a single shelf or drawer to get a quick, visible win.

Power hour. For particularly daunting areas, set a timer starting with 15 or 30 minutes and work for only that period of time. When the timer goes off, you can stop, feeling a sense of accomplishment without becoming exhausted. It does not mean take the whole hour, but to be truly productive with that time. The other 30 minutes can be a reflection moment of what you would like tackle next , on what day, the tools you may need to tackle to task.

Focus on categories, not rooms. To give a visual of what that looks like is for instance birthday cards. You keep them because your grandma gave it you, but you can also take a picture or create a picture book and that way instead of 100’s of cards you have a cute book on your ottoman. Holding it allows you to see the true volume but creating a space where it is all in one allows you to see your belongings in one category and make better decisions.

Use the “one in, one out” rule. To prevent future clutter, make a habit of getting rid of an item every time you acquire a new one. For every new t-shirt you buy, donate an old one.

Create a “maybe” box. If you struggle to part with an item, put it in a box with a date on it. If you don’t use the item within six months, you can confidently donate or discard it without a second thought.

Find good homes for your items. I struggle with throwing things away I swear I want someone to come in and throw the whole house away. It’s sentimental things, but it is also things that doesn’t have to hold a place physically. I do often feel guilty about discarding it, so if you feel guilty about throwing things away, think of the positive impact your unwanted items could have elsewhere. Donate to a local charity, sell valuable pieces online, or offer them to friends and family.

How often should you revisit and maintain. Put regular decluttering sessions on your calendar to maintain your progress. The ultimate goal is not a one-time purge but a shift toward a simpler, more mindful way of living. 

As always “Never negate the Nu-N-U”