Out with the old, and in the with new – it’s a saying that’s particularly relevant at the turn of the year, and for many of us, January means having a home clear-out to create a calm and clutter-free space for the new year.
Whether it’s an overflowing wardrobe, disorderly kitchen or messy living room that’s getting on your nerves, now is a great time to tackle the clutter, donating unwanted items to charity shops and deciding what you really need, and what you’re holding onto unnecessarily.
However, decluttering your home isn’t easy – often we lose the mental and physical energy required halfway through the process, and end up shoving a whole load of junk back into our cupboards rather than dealing with it thoroughly.
Kate Ibbotson, A Tidy Mind
There are numerous benefits to streamlining your home, says Kate; you create a calm sanctuary, make it easier to clean and are less likely to waste time searching for your possessions.
‘The most important thing is to reduce your stuff down to ONLY that which adds true value to your life,’ she explains. ‘That could be because it’s useful (like a potato peeler) or gives you’re a positive feeling.
‘Many people keep things due to the fear they will regret getting rid of it. So my golden rule is, let go of fear, guilt or indecision. Ultimately, it’s only stuff and we have to be ruthless in order to run a manageable home.’
Sally Walford, Declutter Me
Be honest – if a friend were to rifle through your kitchen cupboards, how many duplicates of certain items would they find? Or, if they looked at your wardrobe, would they come across two outfits that were almost identical?
Most of us are guilty of keeping hold of similar items, and for Sally, this is a very easy and effective rule to start your clear-out.
‘When starting to declutter get everything out, and categorise all similar items together,’ she says. ‘Doing this will make you realise how many duplicates you have; if you have more than one of the same item, get rid.’
Vicky Silverthorn, You Need A Vicky
Focusing on your end goal is the number one way to have a successful declutter, according to Vicky.
‘You will not be able to do the best job possible if you don’t get into the right mindset first,’ she says. ‘Have a firm goal in mind – visualise what you want to achieve. Is it to have more space? Is it to increase organisation? To have less stuff? ‘
Setting your mindset means you make a firm decision to detach yourself from stuff that you have previously labelled sentimental in your mind, as well as asking yourself the most powerful question of all – can I live without it?
‘It will give you more energy, help you prepare for the decisions you’ll be making and ensure you are achieving your main goals.’
Happy decluttering!
