Conquering Clutter: 12 Tips for Tackling an Overwhelming Mess
For many people, decluttering their home is a tall order. Users of a popular online forum share their best decluttering tips and words of encouragement to help you break the cycle of clutter and feeling overwhelmed.
1. Be Kind to Yourself
“Don’t be too hard on yourself; take it a step at a time,” says a member of a popular online platform, “You wouldn’t yell at someone trying to find their way, would you?” he asks. Kindness is the first step to getting things done! There’s nothing wrong with being overwhelmed from time to time. The lesson is not to stay overwhelmed.
2. Be Positive
Practice giving yourself praise. Say things like “I can do it,” “Nights are hard to declutter,” “You’re doing great,” and “Good job,” together with other positive affirmations that will get you through. Being positive always works better than being pessimistic about the situation.
3. Be Proud
Don’t take the little steps you start with for granted. Even decluttering shows that you want good things for yourself and where you dwell. Be proud of your willpower, and know that you’re doing the hard part. You are not alone; everyone gets overwhelmed.
4. Keep Going
Don’t give up, even if it seems complicated. Also, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Declutter every little bit at a time and keep going no matter how long you have to do it. Eventually, you’ll realize the mess is gone. Another member advises, “I circled back to declutter areas more than once. And it doesn’t end quickly, but you can do it!”
5. Take a Break
Decluttering an overwhelming mess is not easy; you’ve done an excellent job so far, so you can reward yourself with breaks. Enjoy a coffee or a snack to rejuvenate your body, but avoid sugary treats as they will give you a high and eventually leave you slumping and unable to finish what you intended for the day.
6. Think of What Will Come
“Focusing on what you’re trying to achieve is the best way to get to the finish line,” says a professional cleaner. Think of having a clear, calm space, and this will motivate you to declutter even more. If you’re having difficulty visualizing the end, write down what you’d like to see for your space.
7. Try Again
Sometimes, you start decluttering, but it’s not working out. You feel tired, irritable, and don’t have motivation. You don’t need to do it at these times. Take a rest, go out for a walk, or do anything you enjoy, then try again.
8. You’re Not Alone
No one’s space or life is perfect. Every once in a while, we all declutter things from our spaces and our lives. Use this thought to keep at it, as you’re not alone. We all have handled an overwhelming mess now and again.
9. Make It Fun
Decluttering is difficult and time-consuming. It needs a lot of motivation to get done. Make a declutter playlist and listen to your favorite happy songs as you clean along. Choose to reward yourself when you complete a bit of decluttering or decide to treat yourself to something nice when the day is over.
10. Enjoy the Journey
The process of deriving an overwhelming mess from your space is a journey. So enjoy your growth. See how far you’ve come and forge ahead. Don’t take for granted your decision to do better. Appreciate how far you’ve come.
11. Make It Easy
Don’t find it hard to let go of things that are no longer useful. By wanting to hold on to something, you’ll make the process hard for yourself. Platform members recommend starting with items you can easily part with and then getting to the side of things.
12. Be inspired
There are many gorgeous homes in videos and pictures. Maybe it’s a beautifully organized apartment or one with fantastic color decor. Pick one, pin it on your wall, and let it inspire you. You’ll get the inspiration you need when you give yourself many great ideas.
Source: Reddit.
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Source: Reddit.
