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Become More Productive By Decluttering

Have you ever heard of “decluttering”? We all know what clutter is, and really, decluttering is the exact opposite of “cluttering”! To be more specific, decluttering is the process of organizing and removing unnecessary items from your living or work space- things that you no longer want, need or use. When we collect too much “stuff”, we are, often unknowingly, negatively affecting our wellbeing. Fortunately, decluttering has been proven to have a positive impact on your mental and physical well-being, as well as increase productivity!

If you are feeling overwhelmed by all of the clutter in your life and don’t know how to begin the decluttering process, here are a few pro-tips to help you declutter your spaces and life, for maximum productivity.

Start with a plan

Before taking on the physical act of decluttering, set specific goals. Your goals can be simple, such as clearing out a certain room or category of items. Make a list of what you need to do, and prioritize it. Remember, keep your list short (4 or 5 things at a time) and add to it as you complete items on your list.

Tackle one area at a time

Starting small is key to not feeling overwhelmed and being your most productive self. Don’t try to declutter your entire home or office in one day, as it can be overwhelming. Focus on one area or room and work your way through it. For instance, if your goal is to clean up your home office, open ONE drawer and declutter it by discarding anything that is no longer useful, rehoming items that do not belong, then replacing the items to keep by sorting them into a drawer organizer to keep everything contained.

Use the “one in, one out” rule

More often than not, we tend to buy new items without getting rid of the old. This leads to unnecessary clutter and that awful burden of feeling overwhelmed and unproductive.. For every new item you bring into your space, get rid of one item that you no longer need or use. This will prevent clutter from piling up.

Get rid of items that serve no purpose

Many of us hold onto things because we think we may need them down the road. This can include old documents, broken items, or items you haven’t used in over a year. If it doesn’t bring you joy or serve a purpose, let it go. Less is more!

Store items in an organized manner

Once you have decluttered, it is important to store items in a way that makes sense to you and your lifestyle. You want to ensure that everything is easy to access and easy to identify. Clear bins work well for this purpose, as does using labels to identify what is inside each bin and container. Containerizing items makes it easy to clean up at the end of the day, and keeps your space looking and feeling tidier.

Maintain a clutter-free space

This is often easier said than done! However, by regularly reviewing your space and getting rid of items that are no longer needed will keep clutter from building up again. Teach family members about the new system you have created so that they can help to keep each space clutter free. Developing the habit of putting things back after use is also a helpful way to maintain a clutter free space.

Excess clutter can make us feel unmotivated, sluggish and down in the dumps. Luckily, by decluttering your living or work space and letting those unnecessary items go, you can increase your productivity, reduce stress, and improve your overall well-being. Remember, Start with a plan and work through your space one area at a time, use the “one in, one out” rule, get rid of items that serve no purpose, store items in an organized manner, and maintain a clutter-free space.

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