As the new year approaches, many of us are looking for ways to improve our lives. One item that should be on New Year’s resolutions is to declutter your home. Why?
A clean and organized home can help you feel more relaxed and in control, preparing you to achieve the goals you set for the new year. That said, decluttering your home can seem like a daunting task. But, if you plan and prioritize, you can easily achieve this.
Plan Out Your Home Cleanup and Declutter Your Home Effectively
Before you start to declutter your home, take some time to plan. Walk around your house and identify the areas that need the most attention. Then, decide which areas you want to tackle first. Breaking down your home cleanup into smaller, manageable tasks can help you stay organized and motivated.
It is important to set realistic goals and create a plan that fits your schedule. This way, you won't feel overwhelmed, and you'll be more likely to stick to your New Year’s resolution of decluttering your home.
Consider using a planner, either digital or on paper, to keep yourself accountable. Some people prefer the convenience of a digital planner on their phones, while others like to use a physical to-do list. Whatever method you choose, write down your plan and how you intend to tackle the entire decluttering project.
Prioritize Your Needs During the Home Cleanup Process
When organizing and decluttering your home, it's crucial to prioritize your needs and create an organizational system that works for you. Look at your schedule and determine when you have time to tackle this project. Then, plan how you will approach it. Life can get busy, so prioritize what's important at the moment and what can wait. This will help reduce stress.
Reflect on what worked well for you last year and what needs improvement. The best organizational systems will mirror your daily habits. Take note of any systems that you or your family liked or outgrew so you can determine what needs to change and what can be improved to keep your home organized. You can even include DIY projects to not only declutter but also beautify and personalize your space.
Create a Routine for an Effective Home Cleanup
Establishing routines can bring order to your life and reduce stress. Starting with a simple everyday routine makes decluttering easier, and keeps you accountable.
Declutter and Clean Each Room in Your House
As you start to organize, decluttering is key. Clutter Keeper, a professional organizing company, recommends the E.A.S.Y. method, which consists of four steps:
- Empty: Take everything out of the space you want to organize, and wipe down all surfaces to remove dirt and debris.
- Assess: Sort through your belongings and create three piles: keep, donate, and trash. In the "keep" pile, sort items into categories that make sense to you. Then, consider how you'll create areas within the space for those categories.
- Store: After sorting the items you want to keep, place them in storage containers or systems and label them. Adding storage solutions like bins, shelves, and floating shelves can help create a home for everything. You might need to adjust things to ensure everything fits and looks organized based on your needs. Consider using labels, especially for items being stored away, like holiday decorations.
- Yearn: Maintain your newly organized space long-term. Arrange things in a way you can maintain, and hold yourself accountable for putting items back in their designated areas.
Start With One Room When You Declutter Your Home
Looking at your entire house and all the tasks involved in decluttering can feel overwhelming. To stay focused, concentrate on one room or area at a time. This approach will help keep you accountable and make the process more efficient.
Remember that everyone has different capabilities when it comes to home cleanup projects. Some people might be able to tackle everything at once, while others need to take it in bits.
Final Remarks
Decluttering and organizing your home shouldn't feel like a burden; it should be a way to clear out and declutter your life. Setting realistic and actionable goals is essential for success. Keep in mind that budgeting not just your money but also your time is crucial when organizing your home.