How To Stop Hoarding And Start Decluttering
Many times I find myself wondering about all the stuff I have and all the new stuff I keep getting. Here are some tips I use myself to stop hoarding and declutter my life and home.
At The Betty Brigade, we often assist clients with organizing their already-full homes, and we are always working to “clear out” or “get rid of” excess stuff. We’ve worked with a few different hoarding situations that have really gotten me thinking – does everyone struggle with some degree of hoarding? Are we becoming a “hoarder nation?” I personally think the answer to this question is yes – we are becoming a “hoarder nation.” Of course, not everyone classifies as a hoarder. However, with so much emphasis on consumerism, I believe that is where we are headed if we don’t stop and take a survey of our surroundings. We are just one month into a new year. So why not make this year the year we cleared out the excess in our lives and got back to what’s truly important.We’ve come up with some really simple tips that we use all the time, to help you get started on organizing:
Take it Slow
Tearing your entire house apart all at once can overwhelm even the most energetic person. Take it one step at a time. Start in one room, get that cleared out and organized, then move to the next. While you’re in the process of organizing one room, you will likely find items that belong somewhere else. Put those in a separate box or pile, and when you’re done with the room, put those items in the places where they should go.
Sort it First
Don’t buy ANY organizing systems, bins, or boxes until you’ve sorted through your ENTIRE house. Start one room at a time, and discard the items you no longer want, need, or that are broken or unusable. We recommend you create the following categories: Keep, Donate, Recycle, Sell, and Trash. Have a box or a bag for each type – once they’re filled, discard them appropriately. If there are any larger or more valuable items you don’t want or don’t use, consider consignment or eBay and make a little money back. Once you’ve sorted through everything, then you can start looking for organizing systems that fit your space. Have a tiny closet? You probably don’t want a giant storage system. A few shelves, appropriate storage containers, and maybe a few pull out drawers or hooks should be all you need. By sorting through things first, you can tailor the amount and type of organizing systems or bins that you will need for your home. Plus, it means you won’t have mismatched or haphazard systems in place.
Utilize Your Space
Wall hooks, shelves, or baskets are great ways to keep things organized and don’t add any bulk to your space. Anytime you can get items off the floor, you are creating more usable space. This is especially valuable in the garage or storage areas. You can also use over-the-door hooks and racks, which help you organize oddly shaped things. Don’t forget about the overhead space! If you don’t have much space in say, a bathroom, or a closet, consider installing shelves that are above eye level or over the door. This can be a great space to store towels, luggage, or other items you don’t use regularly.
This is an organizer’s motto —keep things where they are supposed to go! Create a spot for your keys and sunglasses so you won’t keep losing them. A wall hook works great, or you can just put a small container near the entryway. Other accessories and odds-n-ends also need to have their own space. You can create a space in your closet, in the bathroom, or in your bedroom, but wherever it is, keep it consistent. Once you get into the habit of things being put away and having their own place, it’ll be easier to keep things organized. We hope this helps you get started organizing and decluttering your home and your life. Remember, organizing is a constant process. So once you get started, keep the process going by watching what you’re bringing in to your home, what kinds of things you use and don’t use, and, most importantly, how you want to use your space. At The Betty Brigade, we’re always coming up with new ways to help people get and stay organized, so be sure to check back for more great tips and tools. Until next time – Keep It Simple!
