My favorite way to feel in control of my environment is to declutter something when I am overwhelmed. When I feel emotionally drained, scattered, frustrated, and/or defeated I tackle small spaces that need to be organized.
So much of my life is investing into invisible things.
I make an amazing, healthy, homemade meal and it disappears. It is usually appreciated but sometimes there are complaints from my little food critics and it always creates a mess, dishes to wash, and kitchen counters to wipe down.
I plan a homeschool lesson, research, find resources to use, and gather the supplies. Often this is met with grumbling and mixed participation. Then, after the lesson is taught with patience and kindness (and fueled by coffee), I have to grade the papers, do the documentation, and clean up the mess.
Then there is the laundry, the dirty floors, the bathrooms, and more laundry. All of these tasks make up what I do every day. All of it is good and I do often find joy in those things. Mystie Winkler would say “There is joy in the repetition.”
But some days I just feel like it is all too much. To invisible and unseen. I need a task where my work will not disappear right away. Something that cannot be undone immediately.
Why I choose to declutter:
Clearing clutter gives me an inner sense of calm. A peace that things are where they should be. When I get rid of things I no longer need I am making space for things that do. I am also acknowledging the season that I am in right now and what I need right now. I will often walk away with a cleaner closet (or drawer) and a new perspective on an area of my life.
Stuff has pull on us. It holds emotional power and the weight of unmade decisions.
I have never stood in the kitchen holding a dirty food wrapper or an empty chip bag trying to decide where to store it. I know that it goes = in the trash.
I do, however, stand there holding a child’s artwork, a bottle of almost empty cleaner, a coupon I might use, or Tupperware container that has lost the lid. All four of these things have the potential to get shoved somewhere so I can decide later.
When I go through a space and clear the clutter I essentially choose to make tons of delayed decisions all at once. It is invigorating and freeing.
My steps I follow:
- Take a before picture. No one has to see this but you and it helps to see the change. It is also a low-level accountability move.
- Clear the space. Remove all the stuff.
- Ask myself, “What do I actually need and use?” Set those things aside.
- Get rid of everything else. Trash / Donate – my goal is usually to reduce the amount of stuff in that space by 50%.
- Decide how to reorganize the space. What would be the most useful way to store things, access the stuff, and separate different categories? Is that bins, drawer dividers, clear tubs, magazine files, glass jars?
- Shop my house for what I need. Look for things not in use or available for what is needed.
- If I can’t find that at home, then I go to the store and purchase what I have measured and planned for. (Also I end up with more throw blankets and a fake plant… ahem. Yes, those are definitely on the list.)
- Put items in my organized system and put them back in the location.
- Take a picture and send to my bestie so she can tell me “Well done!”, because she cares about those things. 😊
- Enjoy the organized space and celebrate your win throughout the week!
Small victories are important and they keep us going.
While going through this process can be tiring and messy, I am always glad that I have done so.
The relief is worth it.
There is so much satisfaction in doing something with my time and effort that has visible results.
An unexpected result is the energy that I get for my other tasks. For me, the simple steps it takes to clear clutter in one area creates momentum to other areas.
Suddenly I feel more capable of patience and calm with my kids. I can take a deep breath and fold one more load of laundry. I can wash more dishes. And later that week I smile when I go to get a spoon from that drawer, get fresh towels, or find more pens.
I truly believe that we are all designed by God to bring order from chaos. We have a creator that shows off with beauty and organized design. It is what we are naturally drawn to. I want that in my home as well.
So, how can you create order from chaos in your home this week?
– What small space is driving you crazy? A junk drawer? A spot in the pantry? Go for some small wins that give you momentum for the rest of your tasks.
– Where is a place that is full of simple unmade decisions? Paper clutter, cleaning supplies, old kids’ clothing, shoe baskets, desk drawers, bookshelves? (Do not start with the sentimental items that are haunting you from the hall closet!)
– Small changes add up over time. If you completed a clutter clearing of one small place in your home each week that would be over 50 in a year! That is some serious clutter improvement!
– Where in your home can you get that visible win this week?
Here are some great resources on Clutter Clearing:
- Book: Outer Order Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin
- Quick ideas that help you clear clutter in ways unique to you.
- YouTube Channel: The Minimal Mom
- Dawn is cheerful, encouraging, and kind in her decluttering process. She is like a friend standing next to you as you attack that hall closet.
- YouTube Channel: The Organized Soprano
- Kay is a professional organizer living in Boston and she is full of energy, practical tips, she has great ideas for small spaces and lots of encouragement.
- Podcast: The Art of Decluttering
- These ladies are professional organizers and they are hilarious to listen to.
I hope that you are able to feel relief from seeing visible change in one small space in your home. Remember the math! Small changes add up over time. If you completed a clutter clearing of one small place in your home each week that would be over 50 in a year!
I am rooting for you!
You can do this! – April
If this article was helpful to you, here is this one: Gaining Control When I’m Overwhelmed.
