
Getting rid of clutter is an exhilarating process.
All things in your home create an energy. If the item never lives out its purpose, in essence it is dead energetic weight. Once all of that extra stuff is gone, it is as if a dark veil has been lifted. Depending on how much you have can determine how long the project will take. Even the most organized people continually go through their things to remain clutter free. Regardless of how long it takes, it is worth all the work, and the final result will be a big relief. Start slowly and watch as this becomes easier.
Attempt to do one room at a time.
This will allow you to enjoy your clutter free success. Being able to see progress is encouraging, and this will make it more exciting as you tackle the rest of your home. Take a break between rooms and reward yourself.
Before beginning, visualize exactly how you would like the room you are working on to look.
Now remove all of the items that don’t fit this picture, this way you can get a good idea what your end result will be. It is good to designate a space in the room where you can look through everything.
If you don’t love it, or it is not essential to your well being, toss it. Make piles of things to sell, give away, recycle, and trash.
Make sure you shred important documents that don’t need to be kept. File any other paperwork in a simple method in a file cabinet. Put back misplaced items while creating a place for everything. If the item has no “home” decide if it is really necessary to keep it at all.
Things that can easily go:
1. Duplicates of items that you don’t need two of, and unused parts of complete sets.
2. If it’s broken and not fixable; trash it.
3. Any thing that has expired (ex. vitamins, medications).
4. A gift you’ve never used, worn, or read and don’t plan to.
5. Anything that you forgot you had, and haven’t thought about it for six months to a year. Having the space is more valuable than keeping unused items.
6. You don’t know why you have it, and you can’t remember when you last used it.
7. It doesn’t create any emotion whatsoever.
8. Someone else could use it more than you.
Allocate enough time to jump into this project so you are not rushed and overwhelmed. When you move into a new home it takes time to make it feel cozy. The same is true for creating a new haven in a pre-existing home. If your task seems too large, chose only part of a room to clear instead. Even 15-20 minutes a day will show great improvement. Know that your home will be full of new energy once it is all complete. Light a candle, have some tea, and enjoy your revived surroundings.
Juliette says
Love this article; especially the list of “easy things to clear”. As I prepare to embark on my quest to clear my clutter the information has been inspiring and motivating. I’m headed to the store now for the tea and candles; just knowing I’ll be relaxing and celebrating a vibrationally uplifting personal space in no time! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Juliette
di says
Rather than take a tremendous amount of time to sort through every item that you own, just make a list of what you truly need – then, quickly discard the remainder.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Di,
I like your perspective of “hit and quit it” a term dancers use for focused rehearsals. By writing down what you truly need you are able to look at clutter in an affirmative positive way, and then approach it a bit more unattached and quickly. Great tip!!!
Dawn Michelle
Michelle says
This is so much easier said than done when you have a house full of people who like stuff! I’d love to try this minimalist approach to my apartment but don’t think it will ever happen and that kind of makes me a little sad.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Michelle,
Sometimes you just need to start with your own things. Don’t worry about the things that are not solely yours. You’ll be surprised that others will be inspired by you to do some decluttering themselves. Even though it is only my husband and I, much of the clutter was my own. Also I would ask him weekly if it was okay to get rid of an extra side table or consolidate a bookshelf etc. I started with my wardrobe and other personal items. Two years into it, I am still releasing more things and extremely happy that I started a minimalist journey in the first place. It doesn’t have to be done all at once. One day at a time.
Best Wishes,
Dawn Michelle
Shalaunda says
This is so great! You have a new blog fan.
Dawn Michelle says
Thanks Shalaunda 😉
Carola says
I really love these ideas. Thank you.
The visualisation idea reminds me of Michelangelo (I think it was Michelangelo?) “liberating” the angel from the marble….. really wonderful. I have been very hesitant to toss some items, and this is very helpful. Thank you.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Carola, I’m so glad that this is helpful. Once you really get started it is so wonderful to begin seeing all of the new open space. Happy decluttering!
lily says
my house is so cluttered… it’s so busy looking. im really looking into clearing it up. looks like it may take a loooong while though…
Dina says
I started out (very reluctantly) on my minimalist journey three years ago – without realizing what I was doing. I was studying to be a Nurse and had moved house/ flat / house share/ student accommodation/ five times in three years!! I got all my things down to just a few suitcases which brought me so much freedom, the day I qualified I donated all my old study books and threw away about 5 huge ring binders of lecture notes. It felt so good!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Dina,
You moved a lot during that time. Moving forces you to look at what you have. Choosing to live lighter is a true freedom. Thanks so much for sharing!