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In this episode of Organizing Tune-Ups, I’m sharing my favorite decluttering tips for seamless home organization. Discover the power of micro-decluttering, the one in, one out rule, and practical strategies for maintaining a clutter-free home. Start transforming your space today!
Show Notes
Micro Decluttering
In Season 3, we introduced the concept of micro-decluttering, which might just be my all-time favorite decluttering strategy. Why? Because it’s incredibly easy to integrate into your daily routine.
Micro-decluttering involves dedicating 10 to 15 minutes to focus on a small area of your home—a cabinet, a countertop, a drawer, or even just a stack of papers.
By doing this every day, you’ll gradually remove the things that are no longer useful.
Here’s a quick example: let’s say you choose your junk drawer today, one stack of paper tomorrow, and part of your kitchen counter the next day.
Planning out your micro- decluttering sessions in advance can make all the difference.
Use your planner to designate which area you’ll tackle on which day. This focus will help make those 10 to 15 minutes as productive as possible.
One In, One Out Rule
My second tip involves the one in, one out rule—but with a twist. This rule is straightforward: when you buy something new, you must get rid of something old. However, there are exceptions.
For instance, this rule can be tricky when applied to clothing because our bodies change.
Sometimes your clothes fit differently depending on the time of the month or other life factors, so don’t feel pressured to follow this rule for your wardrobe.
However, the one in, one out rule works exceptionally well for kitchen items, gardening tools, and even kids’ toys.
This practice can help curb overconsumption and keep your home clutter-free. If you’re replacing something no longer usable, this rule can be a great guideline to follow.
Preparation is Key
Tip three is all about setting yourself up for success.
Use bags or bins to organize items into categories like sell, donate, recycle, or trash as you declutter. Label these bags ahead of time to remove any guesswork.
This streamlined process saves you from having to make decisions about where each item should go and ensures you are more efficient in your decluttering efforts.
Regular Declutter Sessions
Finally, make decluttering a regular habit. Schedule big declutter sessions into your calendar. Whether it’s the first Saturday of every month, once per season, or another consistent schedule, pick something that works for you.
During these sessions, start from the top of your house and work your way down, making a list of areas you want to focus on.
Plan your big declutters by identifying specific areas that need attention, like overflowing closets or a cluttered basement. This method makes the task less overwhelming and more manageable.
And there you have it! By taking steps like micro-decluttering, using the one in, one out rule (with flexibility), setting yourself up for success, and scheduling regular declutter sessions, you’ll find your home becoming a space that truly serves you.
Happy Organizing!
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Organizing Tools You Will Love
Organizing the bedroom is the best place to start. And to help you focus on all the areas, room by room, I created a workbook that will keep you focused.
The Organize By Room Workbook is your no-brainer guide to organizing. Instead of feeling overwhelmed with what to organize next, follow the workbook to guide you through decluttering and organizing every room in your home at your own pace.
