Are you overwhelmed by the thought of decluttering? Usually, questions of this nature stem from a space of overplanning or overthinking. I know this because that’s exactly what I have to deal with on a daily basis. Before starting, I procrastinated with all sorts of questions, especially the following: “How much time should I spend decluttering?”
The answer is however much time you have to spare on a daily or weekly basis. This could include 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the afternoon. Alternatively, an hour every weekend would suffice as long as they are consistent.
Someone who has an unpredictable lifestyle or isn’t at home much should just fit decluttering into their routine, or else they’ll never build a habit of cleaning and organizing proficiently.
They should consider extreme decluttering over an entire day or weekend. Rather than avoid it altogether, opt for an approach that provides massive results from a massive investment of time over a single period.
As you attempt decluttering, it will become apparent that results are easy to achieve. For this reason, I like to focus on getting started as soon as possible because the results will motivate you to invest more time in cleaning.
Most of us want the dopamine from results so if you can implement decluttering into your life for even 10 minutes per day, you’ll get into the habit of cleaning, or you’ll jump right in and completely transform your home over the weekend.
Either way, it’s a win-win situation.
Helpful Guidelines On Decluttering
The amount of time you should spend decluttering will vary depending on several factors, including the availability of time, the size of the space you’re decluttering, the amount of clutter, the number of occupants in the home, and your motivation level. Here are some helpful guidelines to consider:
Start small: Don’t overwhelm yourself by biting off more than you can chew at once. Start with short decluttering sessions, perhaps 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Set a timer and focus on one category of items or area during each session. Aim to remove or reorganize at least 3 items per session to gain momentum and results.
Break it down: The best way to attack a large or complex issue is through simplification. Find ways to divide larger decluttering projects into smaller, manageable tasks. For example, if you’re decluttering a bedroom, you might break it down into decluttering the closet one day, the nightstand the next day, and so on.
Regular sessions: If you want to declutter on a regular basis with a small investment of time per day, then consistency is key. Results will come from daily, consistent action, as long as you prioritize it. This is one of the best ways to build a new habit.
Listen to your energy levels: Take a break if you are feeling exhausted, frustrated, or unfocused. People become injury-prone when they attempt to declutter a home under these physical conditions.
Set goals: Determine what you want to accomplish during each decluttering session and set specific goals for yourself. This could be filling a donation box, organizing a specific area, or clearing out a certain number of items.
One-in and One-out: Unless you’re adopting minimalism or frugality, chances are that you will keep acquiring items. To maintain the results of your efforts at decluttering, remove one old item for every new item you purchase or receive.
Following these suggestions is sure to help you start decluttering, and if you can just get started with 10 minutes as soon as possible, the results will spur you on.
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