Everywhere we turn, it seems like we are inundated with advertisements about items on sale or things we think we need. Retail chains have become very savvy in getting people to buy from them, and the more we buy things that we don't need, the more we hoard unnecessarily. Clutter can affect our mental state and influence our quality of life. If you suspect that you may have unnecessary clutter because you hoard, here are some ways to deal with it.
Take Out The Trash First
Before starting the decluttering process, go through each room with a trash bag and gather any items you know you need to get rid of. Grab anything that is obvious garbage and throw it out. Taking out the trash first will help to reduce the daunting process of decluttering and give you a great head start. Trash bags are especially beneficial throughout this process.
Look With New Eyes
Clutter can be overwhelming, and we can become unnecessarily attached to our belongings, but taking a step back to examine the items you have intentionally will help you decide what you need to get rid of. This may be one of the hardest steps in this process. Take a step back and look at your space with the eyes of a stranger. Doing this will help you determine what you need to get rid of.
Take One Chunk At A Time
Looking at your house as a whole can be daunting, but breaking up the decluttering process into sections will help you reach your goal faster. Instead of looking at the house as a whole, think of it as a project. Focus on tackling sections of the house one step at a time.
Be Determined
When tackling clutter, you have to be ruthless with what you get rid of. It can be tough to get rid of items you have had for a long time. It is important to be determined and get rid of even the prettiest items in your possession. It is important to ruthlessly tackle your clutter and focus on getting your space in a pristine state.
Donate
Donating your stuff is a great way to hit the reset button on your space. Donating your items is convenient because it lets you get rid of the items lying around in your home as soon as you pack them. Focus your energy on taking the items to a local thrift store without looking back as soon as you have finished decluttering the various sections of your home.
Consider The "One In, One Out" Rule
This is a rule that is as old as time. When you purchase a new item, get rid of one or two items to avoid accumulating extra stuff. For example, if you get a new dress, donate one of your older shirts to the thrift store. This can be difficult, but it is effective.