5 mistakes people make when decluttering

Illustration supplied by Bettina Deda colour design
Author: Bettina Deda

Physical clutter can have an affect on your mental clutter – simplifying your life may free up your mind and allow you to focus on new priorities, achieve more and generally feel better.

Decluttering, however, is not a favourite task for most of us, and therefore is frequently postponed until more and more stuff piles up, and you can no longer get your head around it. Imagine what it would feel like to get your decluttering project done with ease? The solution is simple, just follow this strategy: Commit to it, schedule it and do it. You’ll be surprised how much you can get done in your chosen time frame. Just make sure you avoid these five common mistakes people make when tackling the mess.

1. You lack commitment
Avoid the mistake that is starting to tidy up if you do not believe that sorting out your stuff will free up your mind for new priorities and projects.

The most important thing to get started and to achieve the results you imagine is to be 100 per cent committed to getting your decluttering project done.

2. You procrastinate
Without a plan and strategy in place, there will be no satisfying end result.

Schedule time slots in your calendar. Once you are 100 per cent committed to starting decluttering your home, be realistic about the time frame. How many hours can you dedicate to your project on a weekly basis? Schedule the time slots in your diary and treat them as important appointments. Do not procrastinate or postpone your appointments. But show up and get started. If it is too overwhelming, consider outsourcing to a decluttering specialist.

3. You start in several rooms at once
Avoid the mistake of trying to attempt your entire house at the same time. This only leads to being overwhelmed and frustrated, as you won’t be able to finish off one area completely.

Choose the step-by-step approach instead. Start with one drawer, one storage unit or one room at a time. And work your way through your home step-by-step. Only start working in a new room once you have finished the one you are working in.

4. You work haphazardly
Avoid sorting out your stuff without knowing what to do with it and, as a consequence, creating unnecessary piles in your garage (see mistake #5).

Tackle your decluttering project strategically and let go of all the negative emotions associated with the job. Think of decluttering as taking inventory in your home. Once you have chosen the space to declutter, allocate each of your items to one of four piles:

• Bin
• Keep
• Donate
• Sell

5. You do not take action
A lot of people declutter and tidy up their home, but instead of getting rid of all their stuff, they move it in the garage until the piles hit the roof and the cars have to stay outside. Consider the following action steps to help you simplify your life.

1. After sorting out one area, it is vital to follow-up your decluttering sessions with actions. Get rid of all items on the ‘bin’ pile. Organise the council clean-up or drive a car load to the nearest waste management centre.

2. Donate to a local charity shop. Call them to pick up larger pieces that are still in good condition. Research their local book fairs to donate your books and magazines. A creative way of free cycling – passing things on to family, friends or other people to start a new life – is to create a donation tray in your entrance area, where you leave smaller items you would like to give away. Ask your visitors, neighbours, friends or your kids’ friends to take something they like. Check out freecycle.org.

3. Sell your items online or at a local market. Research on your local council’s website when markets are on. You will need to invest some time and effort, but if you are clever, you can even earn money from your decluttering job!

4. If you have nice furniture or gorgeous homewares you would like to change, why not swap it for something you like? What is very popular in the fashion industry, can also work for interiors. Invite some friends and ask them to bring smaller items to the party and pictures of larger pieces. Make it as formal or as casual as you like, just keep it simple.

Buy kitchen storage solutions online

Decluttering to-do list

• Make decluttering a priority!
• Take inventory and start with one room
• Create four piles
• Follow-up with actions

Do you struggle to control the mess in your home? A professional organiser can train you in organising your space efficiently.