The Do's and Don'ts of Decluttering....
Don't just sort through stuff without getting rid of it. Put it in boxes/bags, and donate it! Don't just organize- deown! Your clutter wars will never be over if all you do is keep re organizing... it's a never ending battle, one you will NOT win.
Don't keep something you no longer enjoy because a family member/friend/busybody says that you need to keep it, or that it's an heirloom peice, or whatever excuse reason they want you to keep it. Don't let them make the decision for you. It's not their stuff. It's ok to let it go.... it has served its purpose.
Don't keep something because you may need it someday.... someday has come and went. Let it go. My husband and I have gotten rid of trailer loads of stuff and there has been only a couple times (in the years since then) that we think oh, man, I had one of them and got rid of it, but we made do perfectly without it, so in reality, we didn't need it at all. Someday hardly ever comes....
Don't keep things out of obligation. That's how you wind up with 27 dishes. It doesn't matter if Grandma, Great Aunt Suzie, Uncle Joe, your sister, or your next door neighbor, gave it too you.... if you don't use it AND love it, let it go.... Too many people keep stuff out of guilt, can I just say, it's not worth it. Of all the things in your life that you could have guilt over, keeping useless clutter out of obligation, shouldn't be one of them.
Don't worry about what others think of you getting rid of stuff.... more than likely, they already think you're crazy, so, so what? This is your life! I like crazy, go for it girl.... give them something to talk about....
Now, after all those don'ts.... here are some do's....
Do, start small, one drawer, one bookcase, one closet, one room.... start with the easy stuff.... the more you do, the better you'll get at this whole getting rid of stuff... save those sentimental and hard items for last, you'll be better prepared to deal with them after you have some decluttering experience.
Do take time to admire and enjoy your success. No matter how big or small. Getting rid of stuff is hard work... give yourself some well earned credit! You did it! Yay!
Do have someone who will encourage you to keep going, someone who will give you a nudge and help you let go of the clutter. If you don't have anyone to do this, contact me. I will help you. I will talk you through it. Seriously. Throwing out clutter is my specialty.
Do be realistic. Getting rid of clutter and keeping a space clutter free is a process. You didn't obtain all the clutter in one day, you won't be able to get rid of it in one day. Take your time. Keep going, slow and steady wins the race.
Do have a home for everything you keep. "A place for everything and everything in its place." You pick the home - one basket, one shelf, one drawer, one china hutch.... start by putting your favorite items away first. Once the home/place is full... everything else is clutter and needs to go.
Do keep what you love. Not ten things of what you love, but keep and enjoy one that you love. That one thing will become extra special. Never underestimate the power of one!
Don't wait.....
...start getting rid of clutter today....
Do it for yourself!
Ps. I highly recommend reading The More Of Less by Joshua Becker
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