Thinking about decluttering years (or decades) worth stuff can be really overwhelming. You look round your house and see piles of stuff that needs sorting and you don't have the motivation to start.
It all just seems too much!
But the key is to just start, one little step at a time...
In this post I wanted to share 10 things that will help you find your motivation, so you can start taking action ( the only thing that will make a change).
Think about why you want to declutter and the benefits you will experience- Are you wanting to declutter so you can spend less time cleaning? Maybe you want a calmer, more organised or to spend less time cleaning and more time with your family? What benefits will you experience when you get rid of all that excess stuff? How will you feel? Grab a journal and pen and write it all down.
Just get going! It's often the hardest part. As the saying goes... If not now, then when? Commit to it, set aside 20- 30 minutes this week and complete just one task. Getting an area done (even if it's just one drawer or shelf or counter top), will help you realize it's not as hard as you thought and you'll start building your momentum and motivation.
Build on the feeling of accomplishment- Once you've completed one task, really revel in the accomplishment, how much better does it make you feel ? These feelings will push you to do more
Take before and after pictures- taking pictures of the areas you've completed can act as motivation to keep going, Take a look at these pictures when you don't feel like doing any more, remember how far you've come and how much better your home is for it.
Look for external motivation- Watching shows like Hoarders, Tidying with Marie Kondo (Netflix) and Minimalism (Netflix) can boost your motivation. Find Facebook groups or pages that inspire you and promote simple living and decluttering. Come join my FREE Facebook group, Declutter, Organise and Manage your Home for some tips and inspiration
Find an accountability partner- Do you have a friend or family member who also needs to declutter? Check in with each other, discuss challenges, progress, wins and hold each other accountable when you fall behind
Reward yourself- Set some goals or milestones and reward yourself when you achieve them. Be careful not to reward yourself with more material stuff you won't use- that just becomes more clutter to clear. Think more about experiences like coffee with a friend, a movie, massage or trip to get your hair done.
Keep that big end goal in mind - Decluttering can really change your life, keep that big end goal in mind and remember what your working towards
Focus on just one task at a time, without distraction - Set a timer and complete one tasks at a time, give it your full attention and get it done. Avoid distractions. For the length of the timer just focus on the task at hand and get it done
Make it fun- Blast your favourite playlist or podcast, get the family involved, light your favourite candle or incense sticks, whatever it takes to make the task a little more enjoyable
The sooner you get started, the sooner it will be done and the quicker you can start experiencing the benefits of living with less.
Happy decluttering!