If you’re like most moms you probably constantly feel like there are things to declutter in your home. But who has the time for that? And where do you even start?
Lucky for you, you’re in the right place!
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Be honest- when you hear the word declutter do you immediately stress out or feel overwhelmed? The answer is probably yes.
What if I told you decluttering didn’t have to be a massive undertaking that takes hours upon hours to do. What if you could easily fit it into your already hectic schedule by doing just a tiny bit at a time.
Benefits of Decluttering
Most of us have at least a little bit of clutter in our lives. Whether it’s a cluttered closet, a cluttered desk, or even a cluttered mind, this excess can have a surprisingly negative impact on our lives. Fortunately, there are many benefits to decluttering.
- Decluttering can help to reduce stress levels when everything has a place it can lead to a sense of calm.
- It can save you time- how many times have you spent hours looking for something because it’s mixed in with the clutter?
- It can save you money- have you ever gone out and bought something only to find the exact same thing in the back of a drawer two weeks later?
- Decluttering increases productivity- most people work better in a clutter-free and organized environment.
- It can give you a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment- you did it!
- It can free up valuable time and space in your life- both physical and mental.
- Decluttering can help you to focus on the things that are important to you, and let go of things that are just taking up space.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter, don’t hesitate to start decluttering today…you may be surprised by how much better you feel! So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, try decluttering your space and see how much better you feel.
Tips for Decluttering
We all know that decluttering can be a little (actually a lot) overwhelming when you first start. But with the right mindset and process, it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Set realistic decluttering goals- when it comes to decluttering your goals will depend on several factors like how much time, money, and energy you have.
Chances are if you’re a busy mom, the answer to all of these is not much. So instead set aside a small amount of time each day (or week) and tackle a little bit at a time. Progress over protection.
2. Use a timer– setting a timer will help to motivate you and keep you on track. When you know you only have a certain amount of time to complete a task, you are more likely to stay focused and get it done to beat the clock.
3. Have a plan– don’t go into a decluttering project blindly or you will end up frustrated while knee-deep in a mess. Decide on a specific area or object to declutter and stick to only that.
Using a guide like my 30 Things to Declutter checklist will keep you focused and on task.
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4. Find your motivation– figure out what will keep you motivated and working hard. Maybe it’s some upbeat music or your favorite podcast. Maybe it’s listening to a great audiobook or chatting with a friend on speakerphone. Find something that will help you stay productive (not distracted) and get to decluttering!
5. Sort and organize as you go– As you declutter items in your home create 4 piles: keep, trash, donate, and store. Then sent the items off to their new location. Be sure you create an organized storage system for everything you decide to keep to prevent the area from becoming cluttered again.
6. Does it spark joy– This is a popular decluttering tip for a reason. If something doesn’t make you happy, chances are you don’t really need it. So get rid of it!
By following these tips, decluttering will become much easier and less daunting. Soon your home will be clutter-free and feel like new again!
Here are 30 things you can declutter from your home in the next 30 days. Let’s get started!
30 Things to Declutter this Month
1. Books You don’t Read- Unless you have a home with a library to display your books, this is one of the easiest things to declutter. If you have no intention to read (or re-read) the stack of books cluttering up the closet shelf consider donating them to your local library. I personally have switched to reading on my Kindle which has saved me so much money and space.
2. Expired Food– while I hope this isn’t something you’re intentionally keeping, we all are guilty of having expired food hidden somewhere from time to time. Spend some time cleaning out your fridge and organizing your pantry so you know what food to use before it goes to waste.
3. Socks with No Match– why do we keep these? For the longest time, I had a small bin with socks that were missing their match. Like one day the sister sock would mysteriously show up? Highly doubtful. Throw them out and add new socks to your Target shopping list.
4. Old CDs or DVDs– I know you think you’re going to pull these out one day, but chances are you won’t. Technology has come way too far and these outdated items are just taking up precious space in your home. I kept a few to put in my car (which has a DVD player) and ditched the rest.
5. Boxes for Electronics– be honest…how many iPhone boxes do you have stored in cabinets or drawers? If the answer is one, that’s one too many. Unless there is a really good reason to keep an electronics box, declutter them immediately.
6. Old Debit/Credit Cards– I’m not sure why I kept this, but a few months back I found a stack of all my expired debit and credit cards. Shred them up and throw them out. You will never need them again.
7. Worn Out Undies and Bras– if you’re still wearing the same bras and undies from before you had kids then mama, it’s time to treat yourself.
8. Expired Medicine– yes, I know they say that most medications are good past their expiration date, but why risk it. Determine the best way to dispose of the medicine by checking the FDA website.
9. Dried-Up Nail Polish– Whether you’re a polish hoarder or you just can’t seem to part with that one shade you loved 10 years ago, it might be time to declutter and get rid of some of those dried-up bottles.
10. Magazines– Growing up I remember my mom having TONS of magazines under the couch! Unless you truly look at magazines and reference them often, get in the habit of tossing them in the recycling bin after you read them.
11. Spices You Never Use– Remember those random spices you bought for that recipe you cooked last year and haven’t cooked again? It’s time to say bye-bye! If you haven’t cooked with a certain spice in over a year toss it. Chances are it isn’t good anymore anyway. Organize the spices decide to keep so you know exactly where they are.
12. Makeup That is Old or Bad– We all have that one drawer or cabinet in our bathroom that is crammed full of makeup that we never use. Some of it is old and expired, some of it is just bad quality, and some of it we’ve simply outgrown. Take some time to declutter your makeup collection and make sure that you’re only keeping things around that are actually helpful to you.
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13. Pens that Don’t Write Well- Whether it’s a pen that skips, one that leaks, or one that simply doesn’t have any ink, bad pens are a nuisance. This is a fun declutter project to get your kids to help with too!
14. Tupperware with No Lid– We all know that feeling of rummaging through the cupboard, desperately searching for the matching lid to that one bowl. Let’s be honest, it’s not like we’re ever going to find it. The lid is probably long gone, lost forever in the depths of the dishwasher, or buried under a pile of other things in the back of the cupboard. Let it go!
15. Old or Ripped Bed Sheets- Are your bed sheets starting to look a bit worn out? Or maybe they’re ripped or have holes in them? If so, it might be time to declutter them and get some new ones. A good tip is to keep one set in the garage for when you need to cover plants in the winter.
16. Old Bills/Receipts– We all have that drawer (or box, or bin) full of old bills and receipts. You know the one – it’s overflowing with things you’ve been meaning to declutter for months (or years). Unless you’re keeping them for tax purposes, ditch the paper clutter. You’ll be so glad you did.
17. Anything Broken- Let’s face it, we all have things that are broken. Whether it’s a shirt with a tear, a chipped mug, or a pair of shoes with a hole in the sole, we’ve all got things that are past their prime. We tell ourselves we’ll get around to fixing them, but we all know that’s a lie. So declutter the broken things and free yourself from the guilt too.
18. Old electronics, Cables, and Wires- We all have that drawer. You know the one. It’s crammed full of old electronics, cables, and chargers. And for what? Chances are, you haven’t used any of those things in years. If this is the case or you have no clue what a chord goes to, ditch it.
19. Hangers that You Don’t Use– Am I the only one who is picky about my hangers? This is one of those things that we never seem to have when we need it, but also have too many of the ones that aren’t good for hanging clothes. Do a sweep of all your closets and make a huge pile to donate to a laundry mat or thrift store.
20. Keys that Go to Nothing– You know the type – they’re the ones that you find jammed into a drawer, or at the bottom of a purse, and you have no idea what they open. They’re also the ones that are impossible to get rid of, because who knows? Maybe one day you’ll need them. If you can’t remember what they open, or if you’ve never actually used them for anything, it’s time to let them go.
21. Instruction Manuals– in the age of Google and YouTube is ANYONE actually pulling out user manuals when you need to learn to use or fix something. My guess is not many people. So ditch the user manuals that are cluttering up that kitchen drawer.
22. Used Coloring Books-If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a stack of used-up coloring books sitting in a corner somewhere, just gathering dust. Well, it’s time to declutter and get rid of those things! Trust me…you’re kids will never know!
23. Empty Boxes– It’s inevitable. You open a new shipment of boxes and before you can even think to recycle the packaging, they’re already piling up in the garage. Or maybe you just like to keep the boxes of every item you own in case you need to store it one day. Do yourself a favor and make a trip to the recycling center to get rid of them all.
24. Old Dish Towels– One of the things that many people tend to accumulate over time are old dish towels. They might have been gifted to you, or they might be ones that you’ve had for years that are stained, frayed, and have seen better days. For some reason, we can’t let them go. However, they are taking up valuable kitchen space, so it’s time to say bye-bye.
25. Cookbooks You Don’t Use– you’re like many moms you have so many beautiful books full of delicious recipes. You also probably never actually use them. In fact, most of your cookbooks are probably still brand new, with pristine pages and untouched spines. Getting rid of the ones you don’t use will free up space and make you more likely to reach for the ones you actually use and love.
26. Samples–
27. Old Textbooks-My husband is notorious for this one. I don’t mean antiques or books that are worth a lot of money, I just mean the textbooks from high school and college that you will never ever reference again. It’s time to say goodbye and use the space for something else you actually need and use.
28. Worn-Out Shoes- If you have shoes in your closet that you haven’t worn in years it’s probably time to let them go. If they no longer fit, have rips or tears, or are just ratted out, worn, or grungy-looking get rid of them to make room for new and better shoes you’ll actually wear.
29. Old Pillows and Blankets– We all have a linen closet overflowing with old pillows and blankets. These are definitely things that you should declutter from your home. Not only do they take up valuable space, but they can also be a source of dust and allergens.
30. Take-Out Menus- No matter how often you cook at home, everyone has a stack of take-out menus cluttering up a kitchen drawer. Yes, you may use them, but it’s just as easy to trash the stash and just look up the menu online next time you want to treat yourself to some takeout.
Decluttering your home can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Hopefully, you’ve got some ideas on how to make decluttering more manageable.
Follow the checklist and focus on one area at a time for the next 30 days. You’ll see how much of a difference it makes in your daily life and how refreshed you will feel.
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