PHOTO: REUTERS
During the ongoing lockdown many of us have been getting creative within our homes and finding ways to keep busy; with one of them being to declutter. If however, you’re among those who dread the thought of having a clearout, it doesn’t have to be as exhausting as it sounds. If you take one glance around your home, you are bound to find items that don’t really have a place or things that no longer serve any purpose in your home. These items are taking up space and can be given away, relocated or thrown away.
Decluttering brings with it a range of benefits including less cleaning, more space, less chaos and stress. Decluttering requires consistent effort and commitment and we’ve put together some ways to help you declutter your space, as compiled by Becoming Minimalist.
1. Make a list
Make a list of things that need to be assessed for the role they play in your homes. Oftentimes we hoard clothing items we haven’t worn in months but never have the heart to give away. Make a list of things and then analyse what needs to be done. Once you’ve set your mind to decluttering your home, you wouldn’t want anything useless sitting around.
2. View your home as a first time visitor
We get so comfortable living in our homes that we often don’t realise how our homes can have a negative affect on us. Start viewing your home as a first time visitor and be critical about things you think need to be relocated or thrown away.
3. Start small
You don’t have to get through your decluttering list the day you start. Start small and be patient. Don’t exhaust yourself, in fact take it slow. Allot a day and time every week and tick off a few items off your list.
4. Give one item away each day
For days when you are occupied with other activities, try giving away at least one item, no matter how small.
5. Donate what you don’t use
If it’s a torn t-shirt, you can use it as a cleaning cloth, something we have all seen our mothers and grandmothers do. But try taking out clothes you haven’t touched in months and give them away or that quirky bag you know you’ll never use again.
6.Try the 12-12-12 challenge
Try to take out at least 12 items to give away, allot a place to, donate or throw away.
7. Take before and after pictures
Take pictures before you get to cleaning your allocated corner and then quickly remove the items which play no role but take up space and then take an after picture. Once you see how clean and fuss-free your space looks without the useless items you’ll feel motivated to keep going.
8. Get help
You can always ask a close friend or family member to review the items sitting at your home and then mutually decide if it serves any purpose. If not, decide what you want to do with it next- no don’t put it back and think you’ll get to it later.
9. Use the four box method
Label each box: trash, relocate, donate or keep. Once you have allotted each box with their roles you can assess which items need to go where. Don’t skip any item, no matter how small. This may take weeks or even months but it will help reorganise and declutter your space.
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