Today I will share the secret to the very best Spring clean, the pre-spring task of DECLUTTERING.
We’ve had a few warm days that have me dreaming of springtime patios, days at the park, planting, and, plot twist (insert record scratch here)…spring cleaning.
Each season brings new opportunities. And, just like new buds on the trees and green popping up from the ground, Spring is an invitation to come out from hibernation and start fresh.
Spring cleaning gives us the opportunity to get all the stuff in our spaces under control.
Why Declutter Your Home?
Clutter can feel like dead weight. Can you feel it when you look at piles that have accumulated? I know I can. Esh. Having too much stuff and loads of unorganized things can make your space feel stressful. And, this makes it hard to relax or enjoy your space as a place you want to be.
Decluttering our living spaces has been known to boost your mood, invite calm, improve your mental health, and provide that dose of feel-good energy that feels so dang good.
Organized and curated spaces are an important foundation for living a fulfilled life.
When we keep our space organized and clutter at bay, we can live intentionally by focusing our time, energy, and money on the things that matter most to us.
Set Your Intentions for Decluttering Your Home
Start by asking yourself, what do I actually use?
I start this process with a discerning eye for things that must go. It is something I am intentional about adding to my day. As I go through my day, I heighten my awareness of what I use and do not.
Some examples:
- In the morning, what makeup and skin/hair products do I use? What can I toss? Do it.
- What clothing items do I use, and what can I donate? Do it.
- As I am in the kitchen, what tools do I use, and what is just taking up space? What can I donate? Are there broken things that need fixing? Do it.
- In the living room, are there piles of magazines that you haven’t looked at in months? (guilty) Time to recycle! What about books? Have you loved and read a pile of books that may be ready to move on to the next reader?
- In your office, how are the paper stacks? Are there some easy ones to attack/take care of? Do you need a shredder to move some paper through? We just got one, and it’s made a big difference. Now we have a shredding stack that we address on the regular.
Being mindful of my daily routines allows me the freedom to start putting things in a bag for donation, and this is a really good way to take a first pass at cleaning out your space.
Be critical. Seriously, have a little chat with yourself; what do you use, and what can you pass along that you do not use or do not wear?
Once things and clutter start to reduce, the newfound space is liberating.
How to Declutter Your Home
Arranging some child care so you can fully dedicate some time to a clean and declutter is ideal, but here are other ways you can incorporate decluttering into your daily routines or even in a spare hour.
If your children are old enough, include them in the process. They learn to get excited about giving to others by choosing a few toys or stuffed animals (my word, the STUFFIES, these things have actually learned to re-produce at our house) they can donate each season.
Here are a few strategies you can use based on the time you have.
Make a list of spaces you want to declutter. Checking areas off your list gives you a place to start and makes you feel accomplished once an area is complete. This also helps break things down into more digestible steps.
Decluttering can feel overwhelming if you think of a whole home at once. No no dear friend, as they say- how do you eat the elephant? One bite at a time (terrible phrase now that I think about it, but how the saying goes and you get my point!).
Another key strategy is keeping these questions in front of you, put post-its up around areas you want to declutter with the questions on it- What do I use? What can go?
It is easy to have best intentions but forget as the day goes by. Having that physical reminder to look at things with a discerning eye is key to getting things done. And, how good will it feel to take that post-it down when you’ve decluttered that area?!
Keep a running ‘donate box’ in your closet or garage.
As you go about your daily routines, add things to the pile. This will help you get into the habit of reducing and feels like less pressure than parting with a ton of your items all at once.
Donating clothing can be tricky, I hear you. There are so many reports of donated clothing ending up in the landfill anyway. Sustainably Kind Living has a great post about the 25 best places to recycle old clothes.
Fill one trash bag with things that are broken.
If you only have an hour or so, this is a great way to focus on getting the trash, like broken things, old paperwork, and expired items, out.
Make a re-purpose pile.
You will come across things that no longer fit your needs but may be used elsewhere. I had a stack of top sheets my kids never used that I put in a labeled bin to use as tablecloths for birthday parties.
Sell gently used valuable items.
This is great for nice clothing that no longer fits you, furniture, decor, and things your kids have outgrown. I have some great information on where to buy and sell second hand clothing.
You have to decide HOW YOU want to declutter. Not all strategies work for all people.
Love your life. Manage your time. Dream big. Make plans. Streamline things you must do to spend more time on what makes you happy. You’ve got this.
Some days seem to provide more energy for this kind of thing than others. Try not to get down on the days you feel stuck under a pile of stuff.
Life is a journey. Embrace all that is full and fulfilling!
the home sustainable 