How to clear clutter effectively and easily

So for the last few weeks I’ve been focussing on clutter. Firstly why it sucks. Secondly how you can recognise it, and thirdly how to use it to get a move on.

Today we’ll look at how to actually clear your clutter easily and effectively.

The more clutter you have, the bigger a task clearing it out will seem. That’s ok. Don’t freak out. Just decide that you’re the type of person who lives without clutter and go about getting it done. It might help to give yourself a set time each day, say 15 minutes, that you will dedicate to clearing your clutter.

If the daily clearing is not your thing, then you can dedicate 2 hours every Saturday morning, or an hour Wednesday evening or whatever time works for you. Have a look at your weekly schedule and make a commitment to yourself. You can do this, and once you get started, you will notice how much better you feel, and it will get easier and easier.

This is what you do. You set up a three box system and everything that is clutter (brush up here) will need to go in one of these boxes.

1. Stuff to keep
2. Stuff to give away or sell
3. Stuff to throw out

Box number one will be things you love, use or need. So this can be your tax returns for example. You don’t love or use them, but you need to keep them. This box stays in your home. Preferably neatly put away where you can easily access the things you might need.

Box number two can be full of stuff that is functional, nice, practical and useful, but for some reason you don’t like it, or you don’t use it and you don’t need it. Ladies, your “thin clothes” go in this box (and then to friends, the Salvos or Vinnies. OK?)

Box number three will generally hold old paperwork that you don’t need to keep any longer. It will be things that are broken and can’t be fixed. And it will be stuff that is just rubbish.

Now, you might end up in a situation where you’re not sure of whether to keep something or not. What if it comes in handy one day?

I call this “keeping stuff for a rainy day”. In short, don’t do it. Holding on to things you don’t love, need or use “just in case” sends a message to the universe (or god, or whatever you want to call it) that you don’t believe you will have enough in the future to take care of your needs. You think you need to hold on to this thing as you might not be able to find a new one in the future, or you might even be thinking you can’t afford to get another one IF you need to. This creates a mindset of lack. And that’s never helpful.

If you end up worried about the stuff in Box number 2, here’s a trick. Put that box away for 3-6 months and see if you need or miss any of the stuff in there. If you don’t, give it away after whatever timeframe you set yourself. Easy!

So there you have it. This way of clearing clutter is really simple, and it works.

So give it a go!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this blog and the rest of my clutter series. Please get in touch with any questions or feedback.

Here’s to moving forward,
Sara