5 Tips for Downsizing and Decluttering
The Amy Jones Group
We've all seen or heard about Marie Kondo's KonMarie method about tidying up and decluttering your home (unless you've been living under a rock). Spark a new joy in your life by clearing out the clutter to prepare for downsizing your home when moving!
1. Hone In On The Benefits
The thought of decluttering and downsizing can be overwhelming. It's important to remember how you will feel once it's complete. You will feel mentally and physically free without the heavy feeling of clutter and not knowing where something is to weigh you down.
Once you are organized and have let go of items that you don't need and that don't "spark joy", you can then focus on what you have gained in the process. This can mean lower rent or mortgage payments and freeing up your budget for traveling and really experiencing life the way you were meant to.
2. Focus On Your Needs, Not Wants
When deciding to downsize and declutter, it's important to focus on the things that are absolutely essential for you and your home.
Follow the one year rule. If you haven’t used something in over a year, chances are you’re not going to use it this year either.
Begin by sorting your items by category, not location. Go through clothing, appliances, shoes, books and then focus on sentimental items last.
3. Does It Spark Joy?
Marie Kondo’s catchphrase is, “does it spark joy?” The idea behind this concept is that if an item doesn’t bring you joy, you shouldn’t hold on to it. Take your time, hold the item to see how it makes you feel. If it doesn't spark joy, let it go.
Start with the items that are easy to part with. From there, work your way up to the items you have been holding onto and are more difficult to let go of. This can be difficult and emotional for many, but holding onto this clutter for so long is what leads to it in the first place.
4. Utilize Creative Yet Effective Storage Options
Time to challenge your creativity with different storage configurations in order to maximize your living space. Pinterest & HGTV have great ideas to spark your creative energy that will match your decor and help you get organized! Think hide-away bins underneath your bed, storage bins of different sizes for smaller items, storage benches in entryways, closet shelves, and shoe racks, and storage ottomans.
5. Everything Should Have Its Place
“Everyone has a place in their house for forks. If you found a random fork in the bathroom or under the couch, you’d immediately know it didn’t belong there and would return it to its drawer without another thought. Everything in your life should be this easy to put away. If an item occupies no specific location when not in use, it becomes clutter.”
- Steve McClatchy, author of Decide: Work Smarter, Reduce Your Stress, and Lead By Example