How to Declutter Smartly

Decluttering is something that sounds simple until you're standing in the middle of a messy room wondering where on earth to begin or even to get going because you started and now you're stuck. The trick to conquering clutter isn't to toss everything, it's to organize smarter. Let's take a look at how you can declutter smartly. And, how to do so without the extra stress.

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• Start small and you'll start easy. The biggest mistake that most people make is trying to tackle everything at once. Instead, choose one draw, one shelf or even just a corner of a room to get started with. If you give yourself clear, manageable starting points, you'll be able to find this is a lot less stressful than you thought it was going to be. If you've got larger items or a full clear out in mind, organizing something like Red Dog Dumpsters hire early on can help you to feel prepared. Small progress is still progress, and it adds up quickly.
• Test yourself on whether or not you actually use things. It does sound obvious, but it does work too. Pick up each item and ask yourself if you've used it recently or if you realistically will. If the answer is no, it may be time to let it go. Try to be honest, but not too harsh with yourself. Decluttering isn't about being perfect with it, it's about just creating more space for you to feel light and easy to live in.
• Sort as you go. Create simple categories. As you declutter, you need a pile for things to keep, donate, recycle, and toss. Having these piles ready makes decisions quicker and it stops items from creeping back into your space. It can also help you to stay a lot more eco-conscious because you're ensuring things that can be reused or recycled don't end up as a waste item.
• Let go of the just in case thinking. We all hold onto things just in case we're going to use them, but it's those items that often sit untouched for years, and it's probably why you're decluttering in the first place. Instead of focusing on what might happen someday, think about what's going to save you now. If something hasn't been used in a long time, chances are you won't miss it. If you let go of the mindset, you'll find yourself freeing yourself from it. 
• Make it feel good rather than a chore. Decluttering isn't supposed to be a punishment. In fact, it's supposed to be a good thing, because you're going to be giving your space exactly what it needs. Put on some music, throw open some windows, or set yourself a timer and turn it into a short, focused session. Even 20 minutes will make a noticeable difference, and when it feels enjoyable, you're more likely to keep going.

Take your time, but give yourself some grace during this because decluttering is not easy, especially if you're the kind of person that likes to hold onto things. 

This is a contributed post.

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