Do you want the real deal facts about decluttering your home? I’m going to share the what no one else seems to want to tell you about purging your home.
Ok… you have read the books, you have cleared a big block of time and you are ready to purge your house! If you are anything like me, you feel ready to feel that amazing feeling that comes with clearing out your old stuff. But, what you might not know are the real deal facts about decluttering.
You are going to learn the good, the bad and the ugly facts about decluttering. I am going to give it to your straight and some of it isn’t what the books rave about.
After learning the hard truth you are going to be more prepared to tackle all the areas in your home – from your junk drawer to your attic. You can do it…and it’s worth it!
This post is all about the facts about decluttering that you need to know before you start.
Important Facts About Decluttering
People love to talk about purging. They will say things like “it’s freeing”, it’s amazing” and most of all “it’s life-changing.” And it can feel that way… at the end of it. People will also talk about being attached to things and feeling emotional about getting rid of stuff. Well, that’s not always the whole truth about decluttering… There is more realness about the process than we would like to admit.
1. Sometimes You Need To Rush To Get Certain Things Out Of The House.
Ok. Real Talk… it’s nearly impossible to purge toys when your kids are next to you. Most likely there will be hurt feelings when you try to get rid of that gross stuffed animal that the dog chewed and they never even played with in the first place. Sometimes it’s a race to bag up trash and goodwill and just get it out of there before they get home. And, you know what I’m talking about. Yes, there is a whole beautiful process that should involve your kids sorting each and every toy they own. And those kids should say thank you to their items and be willing to part with them. Yeah, then there are my kids. You might need to bag up stuff and race to goodwill while your kids are at their half day preschool. And guess what? It’s ok. It really is. There are items in your home that just need to leave and I will be honest and tell you that you have permission to get them out.
(I’m not telling you to do that when it comes to your partner’s baseball card collection. There are lines you shouldn’t cross.)
Try this book to get some speedy inspiration. Find it HERE ON AMAZON.
2. Sometimes You Need To Hold Onto Things A Minute Longer Than You Want To.
My teenage son recently purged his shoes. They were worn out, too small and some were no longer his style. It was time. He was super quick to ditch most all of his shoes in one swoop and we ordered new ones that same day. But, my internal mom voice was telling me to give those old shoes a minute. I know him. He goes outside all the time and old sneakers are easy to slip on and you don’t have to worry about getting them dirty. An old pair of sneakers can feel like an old familiar friend for your feet. So, I left his shoes piled in the living room and it was annoying. I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to bag those shoes up and drop them to Goodwill the next day, but I’m so glad I didn’t. Because guess what? He picked a few of those shoes out of the give away pile and wore them. And, he asked me to wash one pair to see if they could be saved. Bottom line… it’s ok to let things lie for a minute.
(Ok… don’t take this too far. You can’t leave piles for weeks and not honor the decisions that were already made. But, if your gut says to take another minute that’s ok too.)
Find these holding bags on Amazon.com.
3. Decision Fatigue Is A Real Thing
Picking through random things and deciding whether they should stay or go can be super easy at first. But, when you find cords and aren’t sure what they go to or toys that may or may not have all the pieces it can get to you. I have found that timers work wonders. Timers not only give you beginnings and ends to tasks, but they can also speed up the entire decision making process. I also find it helpful to have my Goodwill boxes/bags and a garbage container right there so I only have to move things once.
(Remind yourself that things don’t have to be perfect, that it’s ok to take a break and you don’t have to do it all at once.)
Try this timer found on Amazon.
4. You Might Feel Guilty. I Often Do.
Here’s the thing… I have found that I will start out trying to do a great thing for our house and my family and end up feeling well… bad. Everyone talks about how decluttering feels so amazing and it does… when it’s finished. But, looking at the amount you own, the amount your are donating because no one wants it or worse the amount you are throwing in the trash can make you feel awful. It’s ok. You are not alone. And you can move forward through these feelings and get to a better place. I promise that not long from now the benefits from a decluttered house will far outweigh the emotions you are feeling right now.
(This might sound corny, but Pinterest can help with guilt. If I pin some pictures of the beautiful kitchen I want for my home, it can make it easier to purge those old chipped mismatched coffee mugs that I don’t even like.)
Sign up and start pinning on Pinterest.
5. Decluttering Can Be Extremely Overwhelming.
The act of decluttering is not the same as living in a decluttered space. The act of decluttering can be even more overwhelming than the actual clutter. The mess, the dirt, the guilt and the feelings that you ruined a perfectly ok room can just be so much. I don’t take it lightly. I actually enjoy organizing and I still get overwhelmed with every project I do. Trust me… it’s worth it! Do it! Clear out your clutter! You can do it little by little or you can go at it like a tornado. But, do it even though it will be hard. Work through the overwhelm.
(Decluttering brings more time, peace, space, focus, energy and wellbeing.)
My favorite book on decluttering found HERE ON AMAZON.
This Post Was All About The Real Facts About Decluttering Your Home.
Posts You Might Enjoy:
“Under the influence of clutter we may underestimate the time we’re giving to the less important stuff.” ~Zoe Kim
