A step by step guide for some spring decluttering

Whether you tackle it as part of downsizing effort or simply to simplify your life, decluttering an entire home is a big job. The best way to make decluttering easier is doing it in stages—focus on one room, one space, or even one zone within a room (like your kitchen cabinets), completing the job fully before moving on to the next space.

And what better time to start decluttering than spring? Spring is a natural time of year to deep clean your home. And I’m all for it.

Here are a few quick tips to get you started:

1. Start in your easiest spaces.

Don’t try to declutter your attic, home office, or sentimental collections first. Start with easier wins like the living room, bedroom, or car.

2. Begin in your lived-in areas.

Again, avoid the attic and the basement when getting started. You can spend hours decluttering, shut the door, and never see the room again for weeks.

But if you declutter your living room, you’ll notice the calm every time you sit to watch television. If you declutter your kitchen, you’ll notice it immediately the next time you prepare a meal and cleaning the kitchen every evening will be noticeably easier.

3. Physically touch every item in your home.

When you hold an item in your hand, you are forced to make a decision about it. Every item you touch can either be relocated, removed, or returned. Put as many things as you can in the remove pile.

4. Ask three questions.

Ask yourself three questions for every item you touch:

• Do I need it?

• Why do I have it?

• What would I use if I didn’t own it?

5. Donate, donate, donate.

As you begin removing clutter from your home, donate as much as you can. Trying to sell all your clutter only adds stress and burden to an already difficult process. Expensive items (or if you desperately need the money) are the only exceptions.

For the most part, find a local charity that you believe in and donate your things there.

6. Find inspiration to keep going.

Find as much motivation and inspiration as you need. The reality is this process is going to take more than one day, or even one weekend. So, find your places of encouragement. You can check out "The Home Edit", download the Clutterfree App, or find another blogger that you resonate with.

Either way, the more you are reminded that owning less is better, the easier it will be to declutter your stuff. And like I said before, the less you own, the easier it is to clean.

Want some more tips on how to declutter your home, room by room? Stay tuned and make sure not to miss out on my next blogpost.

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE!