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There’s an awful lot of declutter advice out there.
Isn’t there?
So why on earth do so many of us still have SO MUCH clutter?
Why can’t we just follow it and be done?
Well. I’ve finally worked out the answer.
Most declutter advice is written by people who have NEVER had a serious problem with clutter!
Marie Kondo is the supposed queen of decluttering.
BUT she’s never been a binge buyer. Or a hoarder.
She’s never had piles of stuff crammed in every corner of the house, spilling all over the floor.
She hasn’t struggled with the crippling anxiety of clutter.
That makes it so hard to let go.
And when she wrote her book she had NO kids!
And yes her approach works for some.
BUT if you were really struggling with weight or alcohol.
Would you take advice on dieting from miss-always-been-skinny-ribs?
Or on giving up drink from a life long teetotaller?
And expect it to work?
NO.
Those of us who’ve really struggled with clutter – me me me! – NEED support from people who’ve been there with us, go the t-shirt AND come out the other side!
We NEED simple guidelines that start where WE actually are.
AND realistic, ring-true rules that WILL keep us going.
So as someone who was drowning in clutter. As a mum who has yelled and wept and stamped my feet at my family because our clutter made me so mad. BUT who in the last year has let go of over 100 bags of stuff I am happier without, this is my heartfelt advice.
These are the BIG dos and don’ts of decluttering when you’re drowning in clutter.
The Big Dos & Don’ts of Decluttering
Don’t Do This …
- Put if off – waiting till you’re “ready” will only make it harder
- Blitz it – it’s taken a lifetime to accumulate, it won’t be gone in a week
- Yank stuff out – creating a big mess sets us up for failure
- Start with clothes – if you’re a mum or ever struggled with body image leave till last
- Try to be brutal – most of us aren’t ready and randomly chucking out our past makes it worse
And please, please, please DO NOT compare your beginning to someone else’s end.
Do This …
- Start today – decluttering is a journey AND actually quite fun! Set off!
- A little everyday – letting go of a little daily is the most powerful thing you can do
- Focus on small areas – you can declutter in just 30 minutes a week
- Easy stuff first – start with anything you are ready to let go
- Cherish the past – creating space for memories will help you let go of more
Oh. And find a friend for the journey.
My mum and I followed this super simple just 10 things plan together.
And having someone to share all those little successes really motivated us.
So are you ready to declutter? Right now? Yep?
It will only take you 15 minutes. And you WILL feel so much better!
JUST read this and GO!
