Having a clean and neat home can be one of the most satisfying feelings, but finding the time and motivation to clean up is not always the easiest. Over time, your things naturally accumulate, piling up until you notice how many things you have in your home.
At one point, you may get sick of seeing the mess and the extra or unwanted items lying around in different parts of your place. When this happens, it may be time to declutter your house.
Decluttering may not be the most exciting thing to do, but the thing about this task is that if you don’t do it now, the chances are you won’t do it.
Thus, pushing yourself to get to the task at hand will be the best way to ensure you can accomplish it.
Fortunately, it’s possible to finish this in one day. Decluttering may sound like a time-consuming activity, but with the tips below, you will learn more about how to declutter your house in one day.
Make a house decluttering plan
Before you get to work, start by creating a home decluttering plan.
Having a plan beforehand can ensure you maximize your time and use it efficiently. To declutter your home, start by designating a space to put all the unused items that you plan to sell or donate.
One of the most common techniques is to go from room to room, so you do not feel overwhelmed or mix things up. This is essentially the divide and conquer approach, which is also often considered the most efficient since you concentrate on one area at a time.
Another way to approach your decluttering plan is the KonMari method, popularized by Marie Kondo, where you “divide and conquer” by category, rather than by location.
The order starts with clothes, followed by books, papers, miscellaneous goods, then mementoes. There is no answer as to what method is better, so the important thing is to find what works best for you.
As you go through each room, it will help to make an inventory of your belongings. List down all your items per room, then mark each of them under Keep, Throw, Sell, or Donate. This way, you can have an organized system and checklist to go back to if you are looking for a particular thing.
When In doubt, ask these questions
If you’re not sure how to declutter your home or where to begin, an effective way to breeze through the process is to ask questions. One of the most challenging parts about decluttering is determining what to do with some items, especially if you feel conflicted about keeping or getting rid of them.
For some, the answer may come quick and easy, but for others, it may not be as clear.
When in doubt, ask these questions the next time you pick up an item:
- Do I use it? If I do, how often do I use it or when was the last time I used it?
- Do I have something similar that serves the same purpose?
- Do I truly love it? Does the item hold irreplaceable sentimental value?
- Is this something I can borrow instead?
- Can I move these to a reliable box storage space in my area and make space for items I truly need in my home?
- Would I rebuy this item or recommend it to someone?
- Do I have another one of these?
There is no hard rule to decluttering as there are truly many ways to go about it, but the key is to take the first step. The thought of rummaging through tons of things may not sound like the best way to spend your time, but once you see the effects of cleaning your home, you may just be convinced. By having a proper plan and organized system, you can get the job done in a day.