By Rita Wilkins
The Downsizing Designer

I want to begin with a quote that has made a difference in my own downsizing and decluttering journey that I hope will give you some food for thought as you, two might be struggling to declutter, prevent “re-cluttering” and staying organized.

I’m not sure who to credit with this quote, but whoever it was, THANK YOU!

“People give up because they think about how far they still have to go instead of thinking about how far they have already come.”

This could have been written by just about anyone…

A long-distance runner struggling to focus his mind and body.
Someone who is dieting, struggling to lose weight.
Someone who is downsizing and decluttering trying to get and stay organized.

Bottom line is that this quote is directed at us training ourselves to think and act differently, not giving in, not giving up.

Perhaps the reason this resonates with me so much is because that was me a few years ago, as I looked around my big house, I was overwhelmed… intimidated, actually by the mammoth project I was about to undertake.

I had so much stuff! I didn’t know where or how to begin.

It looked like an impossible task. I felt defeated before I even began.

If this sounds familiar to you, if you’re drowning in stuff and plagued with clutter that seems to keep reappearing, YOU’RE NOT ALONE. Decluttering can be emotional and paralyzing.

And if it sounds like it’s too good to be true, that if it’s even possible to defeat clutter, get organized and stay organized, IT’S NOT!

I want to share with you 5 winning strategies that I discovered on my own downsizing and decluttering journey that helped shift my thinking and changed my life.

I reminded myself daily of how far I had come already rather than how far I had yet to go.

My 5 winning strategies to finally succeed at decluttering and remain clutter-free

1. Begin thinking like a minimalist

Pretend you’re moving or downsizing to a much smaller home even if you’re not.

Try walking into one room of your home.

i.e., Master Bedroom

Make a list of only the things that would fit into your much smaller home (bed, nightstands, dresser)

Now, look at your closet.

How many dresses, pairs of shoes, pants, tops could you take if you moved to a much smaller home?

This exercise might seem like an exaggeration and just to some extent it is, but use this exercise to start training your brain to let go of things we tell ourselves we need. It will help you simplify your life and help you learn to live happily with less.

2. Practice letting go

Going back to the idea of living in a much smaller home…

Go to another area of your home.

i.e., Your Library or Den

Look at each bookcase one shelf at a time.
Pick up only three items from each shelf that you want, need, will use, and enjoy.
Practice letting go of the other items and go to the next shelf.

This exercise will help you realize the impact of letting go, making room for more fun, freedom, and adventure in your life.

3. Develop your own set of questions that you ask yourself while decluttering

For example:

Why did you buy it?
Would you buy it again?
Will you have room for it when you move to your new smaller home?
Do you need it?
Will you use it?

Whatever questions you choose to ask yourself, they should help you become more decisive.

It’s a little like building muscle memory the more you do it the more automatic it becomes and the easier It is to make decisions. As an aside, if you are spring cleaning, use these questions to help you declutter as you go.

4. Determine ahead of time where you will take your donations

Don’t leave it to chance that the donation site may or may not take your donations.

Do they take small appliances, books, furniture, decorative accessories?

Don’t assume that many donation sites have been inundated during Covid and have become quite selective about what they will accept.

Know their hours of operation and what their drop-off policies are.
Find out if they provide a pick-up service. That will save you time and energy.

5. Declutter each day, throughout the day

As you go about your day, declutter as you go. Don’t let it build up.

Do dishes while you are cooking and as soon as you finish eating.
Make your bed as soon as you get up
Put your clothes away or in the laundry.
Clean off your desk or kitchen counter after you’re finished

Whatever you’re doing, use it, then put it back where it belongs so you know where to find it the next time.

Every little action counts when it comes to keeping clutter at bay and staying organized.

It’s all a matter of training yourself and being disciplined about it.

If you try to declutter all at once, it’s frustrating and overwhelming. So rather than thinking about how big the task is ahead of you, take baby steps. 5, 10, 15 minutes at a time.

You’ll feel good about those quick wins and you’ll start thinking about how far you’ve already come!

And don’t forget to take before and after pictures, they will keep you motivated.