“Spring Decluttering”. Two words that we think about every March. Let’s make 2020 the year that you actually “declutter” the effective way! Many of us will think, “that’s a good idea” or “I should do that sometime”. Don’t let it slip your mind–here are some resources to get you started. We gathered the best advice from Decluttering Expert, Marie Kondo, and here are 6 golden rules to stick to.

Commit

Being “tidy” is a way of life and that habit takes time and effort. Tidying and decluttering your home can take a significant amount of time. Be realistic and set some time for decluttering. Perhaps you can set a few hours this weekend to tackle one category. It is not uncommon for a project to take up to 4-6 hours to complete (i.e.: a closet) So, commit to a few hours and dive right in!

Imagine

Close your eyes and just imagine your ideal home life. What does that look like? How will a decluttered, organized, and clean home make you feel? What will that bring to your newfound lifestyle? This may be a big turning point in your life. Think about how you can benefit from it–not only will this keep you motivated, but it will also keep you focused.

Discard

Your home can be neat and tidy, but if you stash items in a box and store them in a closet, you are simply just “stashing” them in a more concentrated area rather than getting rid of them. It is better to finish discarding all of your unwanted items first before reorganizing the space. 

Categorize

Think about organizing based on “category” or type rather than the location. For example, if you wish to work on decluttering your clothes, rather than just working on your closet, gather all of your clothes from around the house (mudroom, coat closet, office, etc) and place them on your bed. This will allow you to see just how much you have. The volume may be daunting, but this gives you an idea of the bigger picture. You will see exactly how much you have, which will then make it easier to part with certain items. 

Follow the order

The KonMari Method is very specific when it comes to decluttering and organizing–clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous, and sentimental items. Practice with clothes first and work your way down the order to sentimental items–these are the hardest to part with, so they go last. 

Does this spark joy?

Finally, ask yourself, “does this object spark joy?” Does it have a positive impact in your life or does it cause you stress and pain? Perhaps you wore that dress on the first date with your significant other and want to cherish it. Do you own multiple calendars, planners, organizers? Do you actually use them or are they just “a good idea”? Some items only serve aspirational purposes and don’t fit into your lives. Identify what brings you happiness and hold on to those items. Everything else? Toss or donate. 

Another tip that we have is to create 2 bags when you are cleaning out your closet. Label each bag “donate” or “consign/sell”. Some items may be worth some money and maybe that is why you are holding onto it. Instead of having it sit in your closet, you can consign it at a local shop. Chances are, your item will get sold (it is just a matter of time). You will make some extra money and gain more space in your closet–a true win-win! There may be items that you no longer wear, but know of a friend who may benefit from it (i.e.: maternity clothes). Gather those items and gift it to another home. 

What will you gain and lose this Spring? Start this process and rediscover treasures, get rid of unwanted and unused items, or brainstorm a new home for it. You’d be surprised at how this process can better your lives!