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De-clutter your home: Are You Putting the Cart Before the Horse?

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Some people have so much clutter and so much stuff all over the place, they think all it’s going to require is some elegant storage system they have in the home improvement shop and everything will be alright. This is generally what de-clutter your home means, right?

A few shelves here and a few more drawers there … and voila! Everything is organized.

This is usually not the case. I’m sure you’ve noticed. You just find yourself buying more and more, bigger and more expensive systems.

When you really meditate on it, you’ll realize the problem is much deeper and extremely common. Which brings me to the point of “putting the cart before the horse.”

Before you even think about spending money on storage systems – whether it’s cheap metal shelving or high-end fancy shelving units, start with the horse. The ugly truth is increasing storage spate will only camouflage a much bigger problem.

See, some people think just by putting in storage they can preserve more belongings, when in fact all that’s happening is you’re transferring things around, making yourself believe you are more organized, but essentially you still have the same amount of mess … it’s just a little bit tidier.

TOO MUCH STUFF!

You can work on the cart later. I can almost guarantee you that can do away with some things, immediately.

 

De-clutter your home

Do away with things you don’t ever need. Use the 1-year rule: “If you haven’t needed it in the past year you likely never will, again” Besides, if after a few years you suddenly need it again, you probably won’t find it anyway.

Clear away the counters. Empty the cabinets. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Why not donate that stuff to the hospice shop or a local charity. Our friend, Jane, puts her unwanted goodies (from clothes to old printers) out on dustbin day and the recycle people take them away. They will likely find a good use or even make some money. You don’t need it, but they really culled use it!

Clothing, books, tools, boxes of who-knows-what, extra parts, junk … clutter … rubbish. Genoeg! You don’t need clutter in your life, hence…chuck it!

Have a garage sale and unblock some space.

Before you even consider storage, you will have to carry out a genuine, truthful evaluation of the things you own.

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Then when you have freed up some space and your soul… you can pop into WestPack Lifestyle, The Crazy store or one of those addictive home improvement shops and invest in some shelves or a pretty cabinet as a reward.

We understand that some things are just holier-than-holy keepsakes and that you want to keep it for your children, but does it have to be in your way? Consider using an affordable storage space , like us to keep the valuables safe and secure, but out of the way.

Make some space for yourself in that home of yours! When you de-clutter your home you make room for better things.

 

Some Common Mistakes People Make when trying to Declutter

  1. Not having a plan: Jumping into decluttering without a clear plan can lead to frustration and inefficiency. Take the time to assess the space, set goals, and create a strategy for tackling different areas.
  2. Attempting too much at once: Trying to declutter an entire house or room in one go can be overwhelming. Start small, focusing on one area or category at a time to make the process more manageable.
  3. Lack of sorting and categorization: Without sorting items into categories, it’s challenging to make informed decisions about what to keep and what to discard. Create piles or designated spaces for items to keep, donate, sell, or discard.
  4. Sentimental attachment: People often struggle to part with items due to sentimental value. While sentimentality is important, it’s crucial to assess whether the item adds value to your current life. Consider taking photos of sentimental items before letting them go.
  5. Ignoring the digital clutter: Decluttering is not just about physical items; digital clutter can be overwhelming too. Organize your digital files, delete unnecessary emails, and streamline your online presence.
  6. Buying storage solutions before decluttering: Purchasing storage containers before decluttering can lead to the mistake of just relocating clutter instead of truly getting rid of it. Only buy storage solutions after you’ve decluttered and know exactly what you need to organize.
  7. Not being realistic about needs: People often hold onto items with the belief that they might need them in the future. Be realistic about what you truly need and use regularly. If you haven’t used something in a year or more, consider letting it go.
  8. Failing to maintain the decluttered space: Decluttering is an ongoing process, not a one-time task. Without regular maintenance, clutter can quickly accumulate again. Establish habits for keeping things organized and periodically revisit areas to declutter as needed.
  9. Not involving family or roommates: If you share living space with others, it’s essential to involve them in the decluttering process. Collaborate on decisions about shared items, and ensure that everyone is on board with the decluttering goals.
  10. Perfectionism: Striving for a perfect, clutter-free space can be paralyzing. Understand that decluttering is a gradual process, and it’s okay if things aren’t perfect. Celebrate the progress you make along the way.

Being aware of these common mistakes can help you approach the decluttering process more effectively and achieve lasting results.

 

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