Sometimes you are simply seized by a cleaning frenzy: all the things you have accumulated over the years suddenly seem to overwhelm you. Anyone who takes the trouble to go through everything in peace and sort it out will not only be rewarded with more order and structure: decluttering, similar to a comprehensive Spring cleaning, is good for the soul. In doing so, we are also indirectly making decisions about what our life should look like and who we want to be in the future. This is often accompanied by a feeling of clarity and inner order. If you declutter your home, you also declutter your life. But what is the best way to start? And how do you manage not to throw in the towel out of overwhelm when clearing out – especially if you have neglected it for years?
Step by step to the goal
Especially if you have a lot of space in your living area, there are probably quite a few corners that want to be cleared out. Living more minimalist can significantly improve quality of life. However, tackling everything at once can sometimes be overwhelming – both in terms of time and emotion. Although you usually feel liberated and light after decluttering, do not underestimate how emotionally demanding it can be to let go of old things. In this case, it makes sense to divide the living space into different areas or categories. You don't have to do everything in a single day. On the contrary: the more time you take, the more intense the process will be. Whenever you have some capacity – on the weekend or in the evening, for example – take on one area. One day, for example, you could sort out your old books and resell them for some money at providers like momox. The next day, you can tackle your clothes, your bathroom utensils, or your desk. This way, you work your way forward piece by piece – until you are satisfied with the overall result.
The three-pile system
Sometimes it is not that easy to gain clarity about what you want to dispose of and what not. In this case, it helps to form three piles when decluttering: The first pile contains the things you definitely want to keep. The second pile contains things you are not sure about. A date is set for these – for example, in a month – by which you have to decide. This is important to avoid basements and attics eventually becoming full of "maybe piles". It is also sensible to store this pile somewhere separately. This way, you can check whether you have needed the things you assigned there in the meantime. The third pile consists of all the things you inevitably want to part with. Defective and broken things are thrown away immediately. For larger furnishings, such as furniture, it may be necessary to commission a bulky waste disposal. Things that are still in good condition can be sold second-hand or given away – that way, you at least make others happy with them.
Finding and maintaining motivation
Sometimes you start something motivated, but then lose interest during the process. Especially with tasks that take a long time, this will almost inevitably happen. It is all the more important to be able to encourage yourself to keep going. There are various strategies that help with this. For example, make sure the atmosphere is right. Put on some pleasant music and make sure you feel comfortable. Perhaps it also helps you to tackle the decluttering together with good friends or family members. Start with areas where you can see progress quickly. This will give you an additional motivational boost and you will have the feeling of having accomplished something at the end of the day.
Take breaks in between and reward yourself! Treat yourself to an episode of your favorite series, a bit of chocolate, or a hot cocoa – it doesn't matter. Perhaps you can also set yourself various rewards for intermediate goals. Have you found a particularly beautiful decoration in the furniture store? Then only buy it when you have finished decluttering the room where the item will go later. Visualize exactly how you want to furnish and redesign your living space once you are finished tidying up. It can be helpful to look for inspiration in interior design catalogs or on the internet and place them somewhere where you have them in view. In this way, motivational slumps can always be bridged – and when you are finished, it feels all the nicer.
