For a lot of my clients, the term “decluttering” strikes fear deep into their heart. Instead of the potential feeling of freedom, it triggers something psychologists refer to as a “scarcity mindset.” Broadly, this is when people feel there aren’t enough resources to go around and they tend to fixate on what they don’t have, what they need to keep, or what others have and they don’t. Most of the time, this type of thinking is a response to some deep-seated anxiety about loss, financial insecurity or self-confidence.
As intense as that all sounds, this is incredibly common, so I tend to approach my client’s belongings with a gentle hand. Unless people ask me to specifically help them cut down their number of belongings, I focus on “sorting” rather than “decluttering.” It’s amazing how by simply reframing our goal, it allows us to view belongings in a practical, non-judgmental way. So, if you are struggling with how to "declutter" without trauma, let's find joy in “sorting” instead!
These six steps will help you begin simplifying any area of your home.
Step 1 - Identify Your Categories
Good sorting categories can vary widely. You might set them up by function: kitchen prep tools vs. food serving utensils. For sporting equipment, sorting items by person could be the cleanest way to separate items. One of my clients sorted fabric for her sewing business by size and color... Choose categories that make sense to you!
Step 2 - Follow the Signs
As simple as this may sound, making labels for your categories is very helpful. Set each label in a designated sorting area so that you are always 100% clear about what your categories are and what items you’re sorting into that spot. It’s easier than you think to either get confused or start blending the lines between how you want to identify your groups. For example, do flip-flops belong with water shoes or with sandals? Your categories should give you the guidance you need.
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Step 3 - Putting it All Out There
Make sure you have plenty of room and start laying it all out, physically moving every object in your project area into the labeled section where it fits best. Feel free to add or change your labels as you work! It’s almost guaranteed that you will come across items that defy classification. Do your best to add categories that make sense and are specific. Having a “misc” pile doesn’t tell you what to do with it at the end. Instead, identify the pile as “ask Josh what this is” or “to be stored in a different location.” Then you will have guidance on how to approach that pile later on.
Step 4 - Narrow Your Piles
If a certain group of items is too big to practically store, try to narrow the category down further. In one example, “women’s tops” did not practically fit into a master closet, but “work blouses” did, and “t-shirts” were stored in a bedroom dresser.
Step 5 - Eliminate
This is where you will naturally start to eliminate some items. I had a client that really struggled letting go of certain items until she could see duplicates, damaged belongings, and excesses more clearly. She said it was much easier to decide to part with some of them when she realized how much room she was taking up to store things she couldn’t even use.
Step 6 - Store it
This is the fun part! Choose containers, separators and locations that make sense to you and create a sense of order and peace in your home!
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Simplify your world in a way that puts YOU in control and you will find that the process is freeing instead of stressful. And remember that help is always just a click away!
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Thank you to Melanie Dykstra from Simply Organized Solutions for contributing this article. Simply Organized Solutions is a locally owned and operated business that specializes in optimizing physical spaces within your home and business. Melanie is passionate about partnering with people to reduce stress and reclaim space in an approachable way. Call S.O.S today to get the help you've been waiting for!
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