In This Article…
THE PROBLEMS I HAD WITH REDUCING CLUTTER
Over the years I had read all about the benefits of reducing clutter in my life. Every time I read a new article or book about the profound benefits it can have I would delve deep and purge as much as I could! And just as those books promised – putting focus in my life on ways to reduce clutter – felt great! Life always felt lighter and I felt refreshed and happier.
When I assessed my personal core values (something I’d highly recommend, by the way, if you want to get clear on what makes you happiest and how to be fulfilled in life), one of them was simplicity. A clutter free life lends itself to making me feel fulfilled and joyful in life. I wanted to keep the clutter at bay…
But, inevitably the clutter always crept back in. Pockets of too much stuff would slowly build back up and I’d start feeling smothered and overwhelmed just as I did before. I was fighting a losing battle of purging stuff then letting it build up again until I couldn’t take it anymore and would have to purge… again… and then repeat, repeat, repeat.
I wanted to break free of the clutter collection cycle and reduce clutter once and for all! But, clearly what I was doing wasn’t working. I didn’t have a problem letting go of items and doing the big ‘purge’ so that I finally had a clear clutter free space. Once my space was clutter free and clear – I had a problem maintaining my clutter free space.
I needed a method for the madness to ensure I didn’t allow clutter to just keep collecting once I was rid of it! After a few years of trying to reduce clutter and maintain clutter free, a few ‘systems’ emerged for me and I’m happy to share them with you.
I hope you can skip the clutter ‘build back’ and just be peaceful in your clear space! Going through your home and getting rid of clutter ONCE is hard enough work – let’s avoid having to do it multiple times.
HOW TO REDUCE CLUTTER – MAINTAIN IT WITH SYSTEMS
Living in a clutter-free environment can bring a sense of peace and harmony to our lives. Once you’ve done the initial purge of unwanted items, it’s essential to establish systems that help you maintain a clutter-free lifestyle. Otherwise, the clutter will be back sooner than you think (unfortunately!!). I have five effective ways to help reduce clutter and keep your surroundings clutter free. By implementing these systems, you’ll enjoy a more serene living space and help kick the clutter for good!
#1 – HAVE A ONE IN, ONE OUT POLICY
To prevent clutter from accumulating, embrace the “one in, one out” policy. Whenever you want to bring a new item into your home, ensure you let go of a similar item you already have. For example, if you desire a new mug, make a conscious effort to part ways with one from your existing collection. This approach maintains balance and prevents unnecessary accumulation.
The simple question of asking yourself which item will you get rid of to make room for a new one, helps you more thoroughly evaluate if you need the new item in the first place which helps reduce clutter. Sometimes, you definitely need the ‘new thing’ but, having the ‘one out’ part of the policy ensures clutter isn’t building back up and balance is maintained.
I apply this to almost every type of good I have in my home and you can to, to help reduce clutter:
- Dishes – mugs is a classic collecting area and an easy place to start with the one in, one out idea
- Linens – do you really need 5 sets of bedsheets? You can only use one set at a time anyway!
- Home decor – I am a notorious collector of pots for plants… so much so that some of them don’t even have a plant in them! I see a cute one at the thrift store and can’t resist! But, now I try to be more conscious – which pot will I let go of if I want to have this one? If I can’t really think of one, I’ll pass on getting a new one, clearly I like all my pots much better anyway 🙂
- Clothing, kitchen appliances, tools – do you already have something similar or something that can do the same job?
#2 – HAVE A DESIGNATED DONATION SPACE AND DONATE OFTEN
You can make donating a regular part of your routine to help maintain a clutter free environment. Even when we do our darnest to not collect it still somehow comes back, so having a regular time you clear out items will help reduce clutter. My family and I make a nice little outing of bringing in our donations to our local charity shop – we drop off our items and go for a nice walk through the park that is nearby (and with my sweet tooth, we usually stop for a cookie at the little neighbouring coffee shop too. 🙂 )
Have a designated area with a bin, bag, etc in your home where you can collect items you no longer need. As you come across such items during your daily life, immediately place them in the donation space. When the container is full, take it to a local charity or organization. This practice not only keeps your home clutter-free but also allows you to give back to the community.
I keep a donation bin in our spare room. See something in the closet I never wear anymore – into the bin. See a stack of stickers I won’t have another use for – into the bin. Every time you spot something extra you don’t need it’s easy to pop into your ‘donation area’ and that way you’re always clearing a little bit to keep on top of clutter.
#3 – HAVE A HOME FOR EVERYTHING
Assign a specific home for each item you have. This simple yet powerful habit prevents objects from piling up on surfaces or getting lost. It also encourages you to only keep items that you have room for. For example, if the area I hang my dresses in my closet gets too full I know it’s time to donate a few (and to remember to keep using rule #1 – one in, one out!).
This was a habit that my husband always had (and I very much so, did not…), I am very thankful for the opportunity of learning this from him. 🙂 I noticed it was especially bad for me in my ‘toiletries/bathroom’ area – I would get a new moisturizer or beauty product and it would just go into the abyss of the ‘under the counter cabinet area’ – nothing really had a specific home in there so it was easy to collect up too much and lose things.
Make sure each item has a specific and designated spot that you return it to when you’re finished using it. This will keep your space organized and help you reduce clutter – if you can’t find a home for it, perhaps you don’t need it. 🙂
#4 – ADAPT YOUR HABITS
After my baby was born – I tended to shop a lot… at the time, it felt like one of the only activities I could easily do with a baby in tow. It was fun, we’d go to cute little markets or thrifting but it caused me to build up stuff. Stuff I didn’t need and just bought because it was something to do. I was able to adjust my habits and focus more on activities we can do as a family as opposed to shopping… and got more mindful about purchasing.
Ask yourself a few questions before ringing up at the cash to help reduce clutter you might be bringing back on shopping trips:
- Do I need this? (but, really do I need it?)
- What will I get rid of if I do get this? (See #1 – ONE IN, ONE OUT POLICY) 🙂
- Does this add value (joy, happiness) to my life?
- What purpose does it serve?
If you tend to indulge in frequent shopping or have a habit of acquiring new things, consider adjusting your habits. Be mindful of the objects entering your home and evaluate if they truly add value to your life and serve a purpose. By being more selective and intentional with your purchases, you can minimize the inflow of new items, thus reducing the potential for clutter (your wallet will also thank you). 🙂
#5 – CELEBRATE YOUR WINS
Time and time again I remind myself that mindset is everything! Always choose to maintain a positive attitude on your decluttering ‘journey’ – anything else will be demotivating and make it hard to continue or maintain. If clutter does build back, don’t worry about it too much (it’s happened to me over and over and over again…), I pay it no mind and just declutter again. All good. 🙂
Maintaining a clutter-free environment is a journey (really, a lifelong one), things will always come and go in your life so I think it’s essential to celebrate your successes along the way. Don’t be too hard on yourself if clutter builds up or if your home isn’t always perfectly organized. Instead, focus on the progress you’ve made. Celebrate even the smallest victories, whether it’s tidying up a room, organizing a single drawer, having a clear surface for a whole week or letting go of a significant amount of clutter. Acknowledging your achievements will motivate you to continue your clutter-free journey.
A NOTE ABOUT REDUCING CLUTTER…
Reducing clutter and maintaining a clutter-free environment is an ongoing process. You will have many things come and go in a lifetime but by implementing these five systems – the “one in, one out” policy, regular donations, having a home for everything, adapting your habits, and celebrating your wins – you’ll hopefully be able to stay on top of your things and help yourself reduce clutter.
I hope you get the chance to try out these practices and integrate them into your daily life and enjoy all of the benefits of a clutter-free lifestyle, where you can truly thrive and find peace amidst your surroundings. Let me know in the comments if you tried one of these systems and if it helped OR if you have another idea for me – I’m always looking for new ways to reduce clutter so I can focus on the things that are more important than things. 🙂
…and they all lived simply ever after.
