Decluttering is always a good idea. In a world of materialism, consumerism and hoarding, it's easy to find yourself bogged down under the tyrannic rule of your possessions. Having an excess of stuff can be overwhelming, and most of the time we don't even use the things we can't seem to pry our stubborn hands off.
Emptying out our closets and pantries, and giving away items to people who actually need it comes with huge benefits. Less stress, more space to move around and a hefty amount of time and money saved. Having a simple, mindful household will also make you think twice about impulse purchasing in the future, and what you would rather spend your money on.
Not only that, the environment will thank you for it too, with 2.12 billion tonnes of waste being dumped around the globe every year. By consciously letting go of your stuff, only keeping what is necessary and carefully controlling what you buy, you are doing your slice for Mother Nature. Moving house allows you to have the opportunity to start fresh, and maintain new habits. Here are 4 ways you can declutter before moving into your new home.
1. Use the KonMari method
The KonMari method, by Marie Kondo of New York Times bestseller'The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up' is a world famous way of tackling clutter. Asking yourself the question 'does it spark joy?' is the root of this method, and it doesn't just apply to our stuff. It has flow-on effects to how we approach relationships, work, health and other aspects of our life, and causes one to meditate on whether the things in our life are making us truly happy.
2. Have a 30-day time bomb
Put aside all the clothes and other items you don't use in a box and if you haven't opened the box in 30 days, give them away to an op shop or online. You will soon realise that you have no solid reason to open the box and take out the items and it would be a much better idea to simply purge it from your life. Someone else out there would gladly appreciate wearing your pink sweatshirt you've grown out of or use
3. Browse Pinterest or Minimalist blogs for ideas
Having clear vision of what you want your home to look like will make it easier to declutter. If you have the end goal in mind, and know there are people who have overcome their possessions and have managed to establish a minimalist space, you will be more inclined to try it for yourself. Blogs and websites dedicated to decluttering and living a more simple life will also give you clever tips and specific methods to organise your belongings. You can also try to sell off unused furniture, appliances, clothing and electronics on eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace or give them away for free on platforms like FreeCycle Australia, Zilich and GIVIT.
4. Set aside 1 day a week to do some quick-fire purging
Put on some music, start a timer for half an hour, and whip out a trash bag. Go through every room and start pulling out items and objects that you haven't touched in a long time, serve zero purpose, and you know you already have too many of. If your bag isn't full by the time that half-hour is up, keep going until it is. Be real with yourself. Once your bag is filled, go through the items and either drop them off at your local op shop, throw them out, or if they are of market value, try to sell them online.
Starting your life on the right foot in your new house is important if you want to have a clean, stress-free home. If you declutter effectively before your move, and take these habits with you, you can be in complete control of your stuff and enjoy a life of freedom.
Article provided by Wridgways
