by Martha Tobin
Often I get asked, “where do I even start to declutter?”. I recommend starting in a small area and using the 6 box method to sort items. This is going to make the process easier and faster.
To begin, set up 6 boxes (medium to large size) and label them:
- Donate/give to family and friends
- Sell
- Trash/recycle
- Memorabilia to review
- Paperwork to review
- Maybe items
-Sort all items in this area that you are focusing on into these 6 boxes.
-When you come to paperwork or memorabilia, just sort these items into their respective boxes. I recommend reviewing these two categories are a later date so that you don’t get taken off track from the decluttering process at this point.
-For any items that you just can’t decide on, put them in the labelled ‘maybe’ box and put that box aside for a few days. This allows you the time to think about these items without making a rush decision.
-For items you are having a hard time letting go of (even though you no longer need or use the item), consider taking a photo of the item so that you can keep the memory but let the item go.
-For collections (i.e. inherited china set, books, figurines, etc) consider keeping just one or two of the collection so that you can keep the memory but let the other items go (either by donating or sellin them or giving them to family or friends).
-For those items you do decide to keep, determine where they will ‘live’ in your home and move them accordingly.
Decluttering is always transformational and where you gain no lose. Keep your treasures, feature them so that you can see them often but let go of those other items that have been weighing you down or fencing you in so that you can reclaim that space.
“The more uncluttered I lived, the more joy I found.”
(Zina Harrington)