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The baby nesting phase hit last Fall, followed by the birth baby number five, Connor, before Christmas, COVID started in March and by that time I was more than ready to get back into a better routine and declutter our home. All of those reason tornado’d into buckling down and get started simplifying and really focus on declutter.
“Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it.”
We have lived in this home for over five years; we’ve had a flow of continuous projects going on. Outside projects, full blown room remodel, small weekend projects sprinkled it, and on top of that – 21+ meals a week, piles of laundry, cleaning, homeschool, quality time, and…. life. That also means many things, literal items in our home, got shuffled around from room to room waiting to deal with “later.” ..
Why Declutter?
I could still look around my home and see that even though my home was picked up and clean it still stressed me out. For awhile, I honestly wasn’t sure what it was that made me feel off. As I continued to ponder I realized that :
1. I got really frustrated with all.the.unfinished.projects. I could simple look around my house and a bunch of half finished projects, had a mental check list of all the things I needed to do, to buy, and things I needed my husband to help do. And of course a list of projects I wanted to start.
2. I realized I like “white space.” I like there is open space around the dining room table. I like not having nightstands and extra ‘stuff’ in my bedroom. I like not having things on every wall in my home.
This goes beyond the ‘white space’ on the wall of my home. It has to do with cleared counter space, organized toys on the kids shelves, like items with like items in my pantry, not needing every book shelf covered in trinkets, games, and books etc.
3. Mental clutter is just as bad as actual physical clutter. I have to write things down to remember them – I have a planner, I always have grocery list going, and like a routine (which is different than a schedule).
It took me a while to also realized my hormones were off. I was forgetting things easier, I felt like I could keep up in the basics of running a household and taking care of my family. I got out of the habit of keeping track of things on paper which led to forgetting to buy things we needed or doing things I planned on doing. Starting back in my vitamin routine helped me (read about a couple vitamins I take that made a difference, along with also a multivitamin and currently taking choline while breastfeeding). FYI: I am not a doctor or health professional.
Once I felt better, it was mentally easier to start on the bigger decluttering and simplifying projects.
So Where Did I Start?
The 2 Minute Rule
When you bring in the mail, do you go through it right away? I actually go through it as I walk back up the drive way. I throw any ads I don’t need into the recycle before I even walk in to the house. Any bills get opened to double checked to make sure they are correct and straight into bill drawer to deal with on office day, grocery ads go to my grocery list so I can look through them as I meal plan and finish my grocery list. — All this takes less than two minutes.
I took that a step further and started incorporating that logic into other parts of my day. For instance I go to the bathroom and notice the laundry can be switched over – can I do that in less than two minutes? Then I do it. If I notice there are clothes in the dryer and if I cannot fold them in two minutes simply wait until later or I could designate the kids to help.
A dinner idea pops into my head that would be good – I can write it down on my grocery list or walk over to the freezer and get out what I need. Two minutes or less.
Not only do those things take less than two minutes it literally frees up clutter in my mind…. I don’t have to wonder while folding laundry about that electric bill that came today, unopened on the desk, hoping it is not as high as last month – I already know because I already dealt with it.
Have I Used it in the Last Year?
As I realized that decluttering was the answer to the feeling of frustration around my home it also made me aware of items that I did not use or want anymore. For instance in the kitchen we have this one, large drawer that we have items like the can opener, plastic spatula, wine opener, rolling pins.. But many, many times when I opened that drawer I had to move stuff around to even find what it was I was looking for- then I had an idea – have I even used this in the last year? If not, then I either donated it or tossed it or moved it (seasonal, grill items). I just finished doing this again this week- I gave the kids a couple of plastic tools to play with their play doh, tossed 2 (!) meat thermometer that didn’t even work, and added a couple of items to my donation box.
Declutter One at a Time.
You can pick 1 room or one project to declutter- but start with ONLY one. Take the advice from me, at least at first- when you focus on ONE room or ONE project it is easier to see quick progress and notice the benefits sooner.
This time of year is great to declutter clothes. Seasons are changing and it’s and easy time to declutter as you switch out clothes. There is no need to pack up clothes that are too worn to make another round or to keep that stained play shirt. There will be more. I also add to the donation pile when there are many multiples of something – like dresses or sweatshirts.
Where is the place you feel is the most out of control in your home?. That will be the quickest win for you and give you momentum to continue. Years and years ago I decided I could not got to bed with a messy kitchen. I do not leave a dirty dinner pan to soak, I don’t leave clean dishes on the counter to air dry, I make sure the dishwasher gets started after dinner is over, I wipe down the counters and I put that days’ towels under the sink in the laundry basket. I didn’t do it because I enjoyed it after a long day; I enjoy it every single morning when I walk into the kitchen to start my day!
(here is an article I wrote a couple years ago)
Don’t Settle, Save.
I would not even begin to wonder how much money I have wasted had I not simply waited and saved up a little more money before making a purchase. It would have saved money, clutter in my home, and clutter in my mind because I was internally beating myself for NOT waiting.
A couple of years ago I bought a small umbrella stroller, but within a couple uses I regretted the purchase. I wished I would have saved a bit and bought the bigger jogging stroller that actually fit our lifestyle more. We couldn’t run with the umbrella stroller and my husband didn’t like it because he had to bend over to push it. . Ugh. Fast forward to this past summer we did buy the better stroller and we have 1. gotten more use out of it already than the umbrella stroller ever did over the last couple of years 2. it still bothers me that I didn’t save up and buy what I actually wanted and 3. and that reminds me- I need sell it or simply declutter it!
Declutter: Worth It?
If you are anything like me, you won’t realize how much you needed to, until you start. I have shared some decluttering days in real time over on Instagram (@findingfaithsfuture). In no way is there only one way to declutter your home. I hope the tips above gave you somewhere to start on your journey.
The Minimal Mom over on YouTube has been a great resource for me.
