I help people with decluttering. Most people have too much stuff in their homes and just need to know where to start. But once in a while someone invites me into their home and the whole house is a total mess and needs serious decluttering. They are totally lost for what to do, so this is what I suggest.
Start with the floor:
A house with a messy floor looks very different from a house with a clear floor. Even if you get a box and
place the clutter from the floor into the box, your house will improve. Of course, you have to clear the box later, dont just add it to the clutter.
After the floors, work on the kitchen:
You would be surprised how many people dont cook because the kitchen is messy. The kitchen is a work area and should be kept as that, its not a place for storage and certainly not a place for clutter.
Keep the stuff in your kitchen to a minimum and you will be able to work there.
Work on two areas at once:
If you work in one area, eventually you will get tired of working there. So work in one area and then move to a second area, and then move back to the first. You wont get so tired and the progress you have made will inspire you. I suggest the family room and your bedroom should be next.
Dont buy plastic boxes:
Get rid of your stuff, then organize it, then buy plastic storage boxes. People think the purchase of plastic storage boxes will help them get rid of the clutter, but all it does is add to the clutter. Reduce to the minimum before you think about adding extra storage.
Dont expect the job to be quick:
How long did it take you to get the house messy? Dont expect it to be perfect overnight. People have a lot of energy at the beginning of a large task, but when they realize just how big the job is, they give up too soon. Realize that decluttering a large space takes a long time.
Declutter with a friend:
Its really hard to get motivated to tidy your own home if its a big mess. Invite a friend over for a fixed period of time, say an hour or two hours, and work solidly for that time. Maybe both tidy your house one week and then both tidy hers the following week. Your friend will see your stuff for what it is without any sentimental feelings of attachment and will maybe encourage you to get rid of more stuff.
Have a goal
Inviting
people into your home is a real goal. Start decluttering your home 6 months before Thanksgiving, for instance, and decide to have Thanksgiving at your house. Make your goal to have your house presentable by a certain date.
Declutter daily:
Let things leave your home daily, if you can get 10-20 items leaving your house every day, you and your family will notice the difference within a month.
Rethink your attitude:
Instead of thinking if this item can be thrown out, ask what you really need to keep. Look at a collection of items and see what you must keep and get rid of the rest.
Dont just pick out one or two items to get rid of, pick out one or two items to keep.
Do not let trash stay in the house:
If it deserves to be in the garbage bin, put it there. Regularly remove trash from your home if you dont want to keep it. Go on a trash hunt to see how many things can be placed in the garbage bin.
How do I declutter?
If you are able, try and donate as much as you can. You dont want something to end up in a landfill just because you dont want it. Have a bag for donations and when something goes in, dont take a second look at it. Keep it for a curbside pickup or put it into your car and take it to your nearest thrift store.
Dont be fussy where your stuff goes.
For relieving you of your unwanted stuff, dont worry about where it goes. If it goes to one thrift store, it will bless you as much as if it goes to another thrift store. Dont drive miles to donate your stuff, get rid of it quickly and easily or you wont get rid of it.
Whats the definition of clutter?
Anything you dont love and havent used for over a year is called clutter and should leave your home. Somehow we find it easier to buy things than get rid of things.
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