Does the prospect of tackling a home decluttering project make you want to close your eyes and bury your head under a blanket? Are you feeling overwhelmed about the time it will take or the hard decisions you’ll have to make about what stays and what goes?
I adore Marie Kondo and her philosophy. I truly believe that learning to recognise which possessions ‘spark joy’ will have a profoundly positive impact on your life. However, implementing the KonMari Method of decluttering can take a lot of time and energy.
READ MORE: 7 Ways to keep your home tidy and Organised
What if you could improve your well-being and start the journey toward a more organised, intentional home, without having to dedicate a whole weekend (or longer) to decluttering?
You can! By starting small.
I’m a big believer in taking small, consistent steps towards goals. Any step in the right direction is progress. Small steps help you to create new habits. They help you build momentum, boost your confidence and feel accomplished. So like any other goal, you’ll make progress decluttering your home when you take small steps.
READ MORE: List Ideas To Get You Organised
To help you take those small steps I’ve put together 15 quick and simple decluttering projects. They’re designed to give you a quick win. Each decluttering project is easy to tackle in a small amount of time, with very little emotional energy required. Trust me, these are easy things you can remove from your life that you’re not going to miss.
15 quick and simple decluttering projects
1. One kitchen drawer or cupboard
DISCARD:
- chipped or cracked glassware or crockery
- promotional coffee cups you never use
- duplicate utensils (how many ladles do you really need to use at one time?)
- burned-down birthday candles
- travel mugs or water bottles that leak
- cracked or damaged containers
- containers without lids
- lids with containers
2. Pantry
DISCARD:
- anything congealed, expired, or weevilly.
- herbs and spices that have lost their aroma – if you can’t smell them you can’t taste them
- sauces and condiments you’ve tried but don’t like
3. Linens
DISCARD:
- any ripped, damaged or worn out towels, washcloths, bedsheets, pot holders, face cloths, dishtowels
4. One type of clothing or shoes
(eg jeans, t-shirts, sweaters, socks, underwear)
DISCARD:
- items with holes or other damage that you haven’t mended (if you loved it you would have mended it straight away)
- any item that has worn out
DONATE:
- anything that doesn’t fit properly
- anything you don’t feel comfortable in (hence you never wear it)
5. Makeup
DISCARD:
- expired makeup and toiletries (yes, they do have a shelf-life)
- samples – if you don’t use them as soon as you get them you never will
- perfume or other fragrances you’ve been gifted but never wear (perfume will deteriorate over time)
- cracked/dried up makeup and nail polish
- lipstick, nail polish or eye shadow in that new color that you wanted to try but then found didn’t suit you at all
- make-up brushes/equipment you don’t use (eg. eyelash curler)
- dull nail files and emery boards
6. Purse or bag
DISCARD:
- old receipts
- expired coupons
- spent gift cards
- old shopping lists
- used tickets
7. Medicine cabinet
DISCARD:
- expired medicines
- sunscreen older than 3 years (or past its expiration date)
- expired vitamins and supplements
8. Bath / Shower products
DISCARD:
- slivers of dried-up soap
- half-used bottles
- hotel toiletries you’ve been ‘saving’ but never use
- lotions you don’t like
9. Recipies
DISCARD:
- new recipes you’ve clipped from magazines but never tried
- recipes you’ve tried but don’t like
- recipe books you never cook from
10. Stationery
DISCARD:
- dried up pens and highlighters
- ripped, crushed or otherwise damaged cards and wrapping paper and gift bags
11. Books & Magazines
DONATE:
- the books you read but didn’t enjoy
- books you’ve never read and don’t intend to (I’m looking at you War and Peace)
- the books you started but never finished
- books for hobbies you don’t do, or sport you don’t play.
- previous editions of magazines (keep the most recent edition and discard or donate the rest)
12. Manuals
DISCARD:
- for products you don’t own anymore
- duplicates for manuals you can access online
13. Phone
DELETE:
- apps you no longer use
- blurry photos
- duplicate photos
14. Email Inbox
DELETE:
- sales and marketing emails for products or companies you’re no longer interested in
15. Obsolete or Broken technology
DISCARD OR DONATE:
- obsolete printers, cords and cables, remote controls, phones,
- unwatched DVDs, and VHS tapes
- unlistened to music cassettes (remember them?) and CDs
So there you go – over 50 things you can get rid of from your home!
READ MORE: Minimalism 101
7 Steps to Declutter Your Home
- Start small: Begin with a small area like a drawer, closet, or shelf. This way, you can see progress quickly, which can motivate you to keep going.
- Make piles: As you go through your things, create three piles: keep, donate/sell, and throw away. Be honest with yourself about what you really need and use.
- Set a timer: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, set a timer for 15-30 minutes and work on decluttering for that time. Taking regular breaks can help prevent burnout.
- Use the four-box method: Label four boxes “keep,” “donate,” “sell,” and “trash.” As you go through each room, put items into the appropriate box.
- Get rid of duplicates: If you have multiples of something, consider keeping only one and donating or selling the rest.
- Use vertical space: Maximise your storage space by using shelves, hooks, and hanging organisers. This can help keep your space clutter-free.
- Follow the one-in-one-out rule: For every new item you bring into your home, get rid of one item. This can help prevent clutter from building up again.
Remember that decluttering is an ongoing process. Take it one step at a time, and be patient with yourself.
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