Instead of tackling your home room by room, approach decluttering by focusing on specific categories of items. This method allows you to see all items of the same type at once, helping you make better decisions about what to keep and what to let go. Here's how to do it effectively:
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Start Small: Begin with less emotionally charged categories like clothes or books before moving on to sentimental items like photos or keepsakes.
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Gather Everything Together: Collect all items in a category from every room. For example, if you’re decluttering clothes, bring every piece of clothing from closets, dressers, storage bins, and even the laundry. Seeing everything in one place gives you a clear picture of how much you actually own.
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Sort and Assess: Go through each item one by one. Ask yourself questions like:
- Do I use this regularly?
- Does this bring me joy or serve a purpose in my life?
- Is this a duplicate or unnecessary?
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Create Clear Piles:
- Keep: Items you love, use, and truly need.
- Donate: Items in good condition that no longer serve you but could benefit someone else.
- Recycle: Items that can’t be donated but can be repurposed.
- Trash: Damaged items that can’t be reused or recycled.
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Store Strategically: Once you've decided what to keep, organize those items in a way that’s easily accessible and logical for your lifestyle. Use storage bins, drawer organizers, or labeled containers to keep everything neat.
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Move Methodically Through Categories: Follow a general order for decluttering categories, such as:
- Clothes
- Books
- Papers
- Miscellaneous items (e.g., kitchen tools, electronics)
- Sentimental items
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Set Limits: To prevent clutter from building up again, decide on limits for how much of each category you’ll keep. For example:
- A single bookshelf for books
- One drawer for kitchen gadgets
- A small box for sentimental items
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Reflect on What You’ve Learned: As you declutter each category, take note of patterns in your purchasing or holding habits. This can help you avoid accumulating unnecessary items in the future.
By decluttering by category, you simplify the process and ensure a thorough, organized approach to your home. It’s an empowering way to create a space that reflects what you truly value!
Posted by Billy Peshke on
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