Feeling overwhelmed by clutter? You're not alone. In today's fast-paced world, it's all too easy for our living spaces to become overrun with stuff. But what this really means is that our mental space is also cluttered - and that can have a big impact on our overall wellbeing.
The good news is that there are proven, expert-backed methods to tackle clutter room-by-room and restore a sense of calm and order to your home. We spoke to professional organizers to uncover the six best decluttering strategies to try today.
Start with the Most Visible Spaces
When it comes to decluttering, it's important to prioritize. According to professional organizer MaryJo Monroe, you should focus first on the most visible rooms in your home, like the kitchen, living room, and bathroom.
"This is not the time to sort through your family photos or old tax documents," Monroe explains. "Instead, tackle the spaces that you and your guests see the most. This will create an immediate sense of calm and order."
Identify Stress-Inducing Spaces
Another smart strategy is to start with the areas of your home that cause you the most daily stress and frustration. As Isabelle Wood, founder of Organizing Engineers, points out, "By prioritizing and decluttering these spaces, the relief of seeing progress will be rewarding and motivate you to keep going through the rest of your home."
For many people, the entryway, kitchen counters, and bathroom vanity are the biggest problem zones. Tackle those first for an immediate mood boost.
Adopt a Room-by-Room Approach
Tackling your entire home in one fell swoop can feel daunting, so it's often more effective to break it down room-by-room. Real Simple recommends dedicating a day or a weekend to decluttering each major space, from the kitchen to the bedrooms.
The key is to get the whole family involved. "Give every family member a room to declutter, or work as a team," the article suggests. "After all, they helped create the mess, right?"
The Bigger Picture
Ultimately, decluttering isn't just about tidying up - it's about creating a calmer, more intentional living environment. As AOL-BW recently covered, the modern minimalist lifestyle is about more than just reducing physical possessions. It's about embracing a mindset shift that can positively impact your overall wellbeing.
So don't just think of decluttering as a one-time chore. View it as an ongoing process of creating the type of home - and life - that you truly want. The rewards, both practical and psychological, will be well worth the effort.