Decluttering

Have you ever thought about what your ideal home would look and feel like? What activities you would do? Can you do those activities now and does your home feel that way now? If it doesn’t, may I suggest decluttering.

When you first start decluttering, often it can be because you’re feeling overwhelmed by something and you take back your space and energy by moving things out of your home. However, what about the next time? You’ve already removed all the low hanging fruit and now you’re stuck doing the real work. How can you start again?

I would suggest pausing, taking a day and envisioning your perfect home and writing it down along with all the activities you’d like to do. Also, all the activities commonly performed by family members if applicable. Now, walk through your home and see where those activities can be performed or stored.

For example, I store my knitting bag on top of my roomba next to my couch, next to my remote. It’s out of the way and accessible whenever I want to know while watching a movie or listening to a book. I have my desk near my door, and it houses my computer, but also, it’s where I store my keys and glasses. I would like to start sewing but currently I have to use my dining room table, which isn’t ideal. Instead, I’d like to get this expandable sewing table (if it ever goes on sale) and a mannequin, which recently increased in price. I’ve measured the space, I can picture it in the space, and it works, and now I’m saving up. I would also like to get a piano and I know exactly where it will go, and I measured it. Each area of my apartment is separated out into different areas.

If your case, where does the soccer equpment actually go? What about shoes? Animal supplies? What about bags? Where do you work on your computer? What about your activities?

I have my bedroom, a reading area, entertainment area, working area, storage area (bags and gym/sports equipment), an area for my cats, a dining area, and a shoe area. Next year, I’ll be adding the sewing and music areas. That’s a lot of spaces in a small apartment and it can be a challenge to have an apartment that meets all your needs without feeling cramped. So, how do I do it? By aggressively decluttering anything that is taking up space or is not currently working.

Caveat, I have two memorabilia boxes that I keep for things of a sentimental nature.

This year, I’ve been on a decluttering journey and I’ve seen my apartment open up into the space it’s meant to be. Some of the areas I now have weren’t there 6 months ago, but, because I decluttered, I was able to see solutions to pain points in my apartment clearly. I’ve decluttered almost every area of my life and belongings several times and I’ll keep decluttering forever.

When you set out a bag or box to start, envision what you want the space to look like and how it will function. Get it as close as possible to that. Rinse and repeat until it’s there.

Two more caveats. Sometimes, we have to keep a placeholder until something better comes along. In my case it’s a collapsible desk and a back of the door storage holder. These aren’t ideal, but I have them and they work well but they aren’t perfect. However, I don’t know what will work better than the back of the door storage holder right now, so it stays, and I’m saving up for the desk’s replacement, so it also stays. Declutter but declutter mindfully and intentionally. Also, do not go to a container store, or buy containers. Use bags, boxes, or anything you have on hand first. It’s not until the third or fourth decluttering of a space that it’s final form is revealed, and you don’t want to have to replace any expensive storage containers. Use what you already have, it’s been working so far.

I know it can seem at odds – declutter aggressively but also hold onto what works, but sometimes we haven’t found the perfect item, or we just need some old boxes to hold things. Decluttering is a process, and it seems like it takes most people at least a year before they’re done with their home, but sometimes longer. You will know when you are done decluttering by the calm you feel in your space, and you might not ever make it to the container store.

Final caveat. There are organization shows where people organize people’s closets, garages, or storage areas by putting everything into containers. This is not decluttering, that is organizing. The individual still needs to go through and declutter, but now they’ve got hundreds of small (expensive) organizers. One can only stack a pile of boxes so many times before there’s no more room and you must declutter.

I’ve been decluttering every year, but this year I really knuckled down and removed things that weren’t working in my space. It’s not finished, or perfect yet but I really enjoy my home and I want everyone to have the space to hold and keep the things they value and the space to pursue their dreams.