Five Tips You Need to Know Before You Declutter

Written by: Lindsay Webster

We're not going to sugarcoat it: decluttering sucks! 

​The words declutter, purge, downsize or clear out can immediately make you want to curl up into a ball.  It's a daunting task that makes you feel like you're getting sucked into a black hole, making it oh-so-hard to get started.  Whether it's family heirlooms, forgotten toys, boxes you haven't opened since you moved in or just plain old junk, it can be mentally taxing.  

​Luckily for you this is sort of a natural specialty for me.  Growing up in a military family we moved around a good deal and that meant lots of packing and unpacking.  Decisions always needed to be made logically without too much hesitation.  Needless to say, I've had plenty of experience. 

Recently we decluttered the SBD office and I think the whole team can appreciate the "cleanse" of items that no longer were serving the business. This experience was my inspiration for this year's first blog.  

​We challenge you to use January as a purging month.  Don't keep anything that is not going to serve you and your family for the year of 2025!  ​

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 #1 Tip
Willing accept the mentally, physically and emotionally draining journey

This is a genuine tip you won't want to forget during the process of decluttering.  Accept the idea that thoughts and emotions may make it difficult to move forward. You may at time cry or groan (trust me I have seen it). But you got this!  Remember, you grow through what you go through.
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#2 Tip
Have a plan

Set a goal for yourself, prioritize your task, allocate the time and set a deadline. Having a plan in place will keep you organized and should make the whole process less stressful. For example: maybe take on one space each day during nap times or in the evening and only work on that one area until it is done. And don't be afraid to adjust your plan as you go. You may find a better method or solution in the journey.
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#3 Tip
Supplies to thrive

Prepare your space and gather supplies in advance. If you have these the process will work much more efficiently.

- Room to work (remove or push to the side unnecessary clutter and furniture)
- Trash bags
- Donation bags or boxes
- Bins/boxes with labels to sort items
- Storage aids and bins in various sizes for items you decide to keep (consider the size and type for each room)
- Specialized teams that handle bulk junk, cleaning, donation or organization
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#4 Tip
Start small ​

Starting small or working in small bursts doesn't mean you're not making progress. Start with one closet or one even one drawer everyday. If you have energy to do more, great! But if you need to stop, that is fine too. This tip is one of my favorites because it's a great reminder that any progress is progress. ​And I promise that once you start with the small things, the joy you feel will create a momentum to help motivate you to keep on tackling other areas. 
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"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." ― Lao Tzu

​#5 Tip
Make it fun

When did life get so serious? Throw on your most trusted playlist, order your favorite pizza and make it fun!  Let positivity take over and you will look back on this experience in awe.

I really hope after reading this you feel confident in your next decluttering journey.  It is just that—a journey!  Hopefully when it's all said-and-done you and your home feel lighter and brighter.