Do the declutter you’ve been promising yourself for months
There's never a bad time to do the declutter you’ve been promising yourself for months, you just need some tips from a Professional Organiser to get started.
So, let’s be honest with ourselves
Are there places in your home that make you shudder every time you look at them? It could be your spare bedroom which looks like a bomb has gone off, or that shelf in your hallway where everyone seems to just ‘dump’ things? If so, then it sounds like now is a great time for a declutter.
Now, I’ve long considered myself top-notch in the field of decluttering, I’ve even been referred to as the ‘Decluttering Queen’ by friends. But, after sitting down for a virtual chat with Louise Simpson recently I realised that I still had lots to learn.
Louise runs her own business as a Certified Life Coach and Professional Organiser from her home in Essex and she gave me some great tips which I hope will get you in the groove and make your decluttering seem much less scary.
“Get the kids involved, they’re natural declutterers”
© Louise Simpson
Tips for your Declutter
Here are four Top Tips - in no particular order - to get your started.
Hotspots. These are the areas in your home, such as your kitchen work surface or a cupboard, that cause you the most stress. Focus on these first.
Slow and Steady. Rather than setting aside your whole weekend to declutter, set aside 10-15 minutes a day, you’re more likely to stay motivated.
Get the kids involved. Louise says they are natural declutters.
Positive Thinking. Approach decluttering with a positive mindset and focus on what you want to keep rather than what you think you need to throw away.
Doesn’t sound too hard, right?
Good, well then I think you’re ready for some more decluttering tips from Louise.
Declutter, then organise the items you’ve chosen to keep, then decide on what - if any - new storage you need.
Break all your items down into categories (i.e. books, handbags, shoes etc).
Declutter one category at a time.
Start your declutter with an easy category (i.e. if you’re a big handbag collector don’t start with this category as you’ll find it hard and will be more likely to give up).
Add decluttering to an everyday habit, for example, tidy a kitchen drawer while the kettle boils.
Can’t face the declutter alone?
Then I have good news for you, Louise is one of many Professional Declutterers who can come to your home and manage it for you. At the moment, she even offers ‘virtual’ declutters over the phone or video calls.
Louise is a member of the Association of Professional Declutterers & Organisers and if you’d like to work with one of them you can find them via the Find a Organiser page on the APDO website.
Have fun!