Clutter is something that doesn’t simply come about overnight, it is something that tends to sneak up on you out of nowhere over a long period of time. If you have been in your home for an extended period, there is a good chance that you have collected and saved a lot of stuff over the years. When you finally get to the point where you realise something must be done, it can often come as quite a shock to the system.
There is no need to get overwhelmed by the clutter and junk that takes up space in your home, as there are numerous ways that it can be dealt with. Some people hire local waste removalists, while others look to tackle the job on their own. If you are looking to spruce up your home and get rid of the junk, it’s important that you use the right strategies to deal with it moving forward.
Let’s take a look at some great ideas on how to handle a cluttered home so you can take control of your space again.
1. Take It Ten Minutes At A Time
There is no denying that tackling an overly cluttered home can look like an insurmountable task for the average person. Yet, it can be done if you take the right approach to things. You can’t expect to fix in one day something that took years to develop. Be kind to yourself, and set a goal of starting with ten minutes at a time.
When you set yourself a strict, limited schedule around a large task, it allows you to focus on the smaller ten-minute sections instead of being overwhelmed by the entire thing. This is a great idea for those people who struggle with anxiety and feeling overwhelmed to start making a positive change.
2. Hire A Professional
Not everyone is going to be in the financial position to hire a professional to do this job. However, when you factor the cost of a professional into the amount of working hours it would take you, it may end up making financial sense. These companies offer a variety of decluttering and cleaning services and can be a huge help in helping you to clear things out and organise your home again.
This type of solution is ideal for people who are busy with their careers and don’t have the downtime to actually do it themselves. It is also a great option for anyone who has physical limitations, as long as it is still affordable.
3. Ask For An Outside Perspective
Sometimes people get so used to their everyday environment that they fail to see that there is anything that may need change. It never hurts to invite someone in, that you know and trust, to give you an honest opinion on how the place looks and feels.
Having someone give you their opinion as an outsider will give you a very good indication of how anyone else would feel coming into your home. This can help you get a solid idea of what changes need to be made, and you may also be able to ask this friend to help you make those important changes.
4. Have A Garage Sale
While you may consider a lot of the things that clutter up your home as junk, someone else may see things quite differently. You would be surprised at what people are looking to purchase second-hand, and if you have a house full of stuff that isn’t actual rubbish, you may be sitting on a small fortune.
Take the time to inventory all of the ‘junk’ in your home, and you may well see that it is worth your time to try and sell it. Pick a weekend with a pleasant forecast, set up some local flyers, and see what happens. You may be able to both declutter your home and start saving towards something fun at the same time.
5. Remember Technology Is Your Friend
Some people have a hard time being motivated to make change because it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. If this is something that you struggle with, take advantage of your smartphone, tablet, or other device with a camera. You may be surprised at how much a before and after picture, even halfway through, can change your perspective on the effort you are putting in.
6. Research Local Charities
It is nice to think that most people are of a giving nature when they are able. There are so many less fortunate people in the world with needs and some of the stuff we may view as junk is actually still quite usable. Take a look at local charities in your area that accept donations, as they can always use household items and clothing for their various programs. Some of these charities may even give you a hand with collection and pickup, so it pays to do a little research ahead of time.
Put A Plan In Place And Stick With It
If you are at the point where you need to do something about all of that stuff in your house, you can see that there are many avenues you can pursue. No task is going to be too large if you allow yourself to look at it from the right perspective. Take your time with planning and figuring out which strategy works best for you, and in no time you will be living in a clutter-free paradise.
