More often than not, we are prone to holding onto material possessions that don’t add value to our lives. Organizing and decluttering your valuable space will make room for the things that truly matter and taking care of unwanted messes around your home is a great way to take care of your mental health.
Decluttering your home and getting things organized doesn’t need to be a daunting task. Often times, people who make resolutions like, “I’m going to organize my whole house in a few days, and it’ll stay this way throughout the year,” are setting themselves up for disappointment, as this is not a measurable or realistic goal. By starting with small, manageable goals like, “I’m going to take care of these three tasks today,” and prioritizing what needs to be done the most, you’ll be on your way to a cleaner, more stress-free space in as little as a few days. Remember that it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Instead of aiming to cover your whole house in a day, breaking up your project into smaller sections will better set you up for success. Start with a cluttered corner in the room at the top of your to-do list, get rid of the trash, corral the nonessentials into bins and drawers. You’ll be pleased with the difference this makes!
Another great way to break up your project is to focus on getting rid of all the trash that lives on your countertop, nightstand, kitchen table, etc. This includes everything you don’t or won’t ever use. It goes without saying that this creates a much cleaner, tidier workspace and takes away a good chunk of the stress associated with a messy, cluttered home.
If your home doesn’t have a decent amount of conventional storage space, making better use of solutions like underbed storage can be a game changer. Utilizing soft storage bags as opposed to hard containers in these areas will ensure you make the most out of this precious space. Other places that are great for storage are the attic, under the stairs, and depending on the items, unconventional spaces such as windowsills and over-the-door space will more than suffice. As a result of taking these steps, your home should feel a little more inviting and functional.
Lastly, many often overlook the benefits of donating belongings that they no longer want or need, as more often than not there are a number of local charities that would appreciate items such as clothes, shoes and other household doodads. Tax season is in full swing, and a great benefit to donating to charity is being able to deduct these valuables from your tax write off.