Time, physical energy, emotional energy… there are many factors that clog our homes. While I’ve covered some planning “what not to do” before, this post focuses on what not to do Decluttering.
If you’re planning to clear out some of your clutter soon, this list is a must read! By avoiding this No more time-wasting and energy-draining declutteringYou’ll have your home in tip-top shape in no time at all.
7 Decluttering Don’ts That Will Save You Time and Energy
1. Don’t try to do it all in one day
Be honest with yourself – you do indeed Have the mental and physical stamina to spend all day organizing, or the emotional fortitude to organize all your stuff in one sweep? For most of us, the answer is likely “no.” (Color me impressed if you said “yes”)!
If you try to spend all day planning, you’ll likely feel frustrated and burned out by noon. Instead, spread your decluttering tasks over several days, dedicating an hour or two to each section of your home.
2. Don’t hold a yard sale
Traditional yard sales are time-consuming, frustrating, and not as profitable as they once were. If you’re more interested in getting rid of things than making as much money as possible, skip the part where you spend all day outside to see if your stuff doesn’t sell.
Instead, list your big-ticket items for sale on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or your local equivalent, then donate the rest.
If you don’t know Why If you’re decluttering, you’ll find it very difficult to get rid of it Things that are taking up space. Ask yourself why you want to be more organized. Do you want to spend less time cleaning, or do you need more space?
Revisit your motivations during the frustrating process, especially in moments of frustration or uncertainty. Reminding yourself why you’re putting in all this effort will help you refocus and make better decisions.
4. Don’t take tours down memory lane
Digging through a box of old photos can be really fun — that’s why we keep them around, after all! But an unplanned trip down memory lane is ultimately your precious waste Decluttering time.
If you feel tempted to start flipping through photos or memorabilia, remind yourself what you’re trying to accomplish and put it aside. You can always find a more suitable time to see and remind them.
5. Don’t declutter just once
Decluttering is just like any other skill – the more you do it, the better you’ll get at it. When you begin your passive attempts, do it with the mindset that this is your first sweep.
Then when you need another decluttering session down the road, you can think back to the stuff you went back and forth about the first time and get a better idea of how often you actually use it. Keeping clutter at bay is an ongoing project, so you’ll benefit from thinking of it like one.
6. Don’t aim for perfection
In reality, you’re unlikely to find a picture-perfect closet and pantry Look on Pinterest Indeed it is clean, beautiful and tidy. The goal of planning is to make your home more functional and comfortable, rather than showy Southern Housekeeping magazine
Keep your expectations realistic. This applies to both your own organization efforts as well as the ongoing maintenance required to keep things clean and tidy. Setting the bar too high for yourself never ends well.
Many of us struggle with guilt when it comes to getting rid of things that cost us or someone else a lot of money, or that were given to us as gifts. If you’re struggling with this type of guilt when decluttering, try focusing on the practical value of an item rather than its emotional or monetary value.
If the item is primarily just taking up space, give yourself permission to let it go—and any feelings of guilt along with it.
What other “decluttering don’ts” would you add to this list?
