“No one will take care of you if you don’t take care of yourself”- Alicia Keys.
Our home, our family, our life…the combination of which makes us who we are. Sometimes we get so focused on others that we lose sight of ourselves. It may have been a while since you’ve walked into your home and felt relaxed…your space is organized and without clutter. Your closets are organized, your kitchen is clean, and your living room is comfortable and inviting. When is the last time you had space to enjoy spending time with your family?
We might feel overwhelmed in a world of chaos, but that doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. One way to beat this overwhelming feeling is to take a look at our lives…and DECLUTTER! There are 5 easy ways to help you reset and declutter your life!
1. OUT WITH THE OLD…IN WITH THE NEW – One of the easiest places to start is your wardrobe. Take everything out of your closet and separate your clothes…newer clothes from worn-out and clothes you haven’t worn in years. Keep your newest outfits, and donate those that you don’t plan to wear in the years to come. When you decide to buy new items, use the “put one it, take one out rule”. This will keep your wardrobe from becoming a mountain of rarely-worn clothes.
2. ORGANIZE YOUR KITCHEN – One of the most cluttered rooms in your home is probably the kitchen…your refrigerator, your cabinets, your pantry. It all could use a good cleaning. Firstly, your fridge is more than likely cluttered with old food, out-dated condiments, and spills from improperly contained foods. Storing food in clear containers will help you see what is stored in your fridge. Next, take out everything from your cabinets. If there are items you never use, such as blenders, popcorn makers, and even that slightly used slushie machine, donate it! If you have more than one of something or if it’s broken, get rid of it!
3. DON’T BE A HOARDER – We all keep things that we haven’t used in years, because we “may need it someday”, or “it’s memories”. These unnecessary items create clutter and may keep you from finding things you need on a daily basis. A rule of thumb is to get rid of anything you haven’t used in 6 months. If it is an old item you’ve kept because it creates fond memories, pass down these “treasures” to your children or grandchildren…make it a family heirloom!
4. CREATE A HOME OFFICE – Every home has old receipts, old tax returns, and user manuals for all of those electronics. A home office is a perfect place to store such items and organize all of your important documents. If you don’t have an extra room in your home to create an office, try setting up a desk or even a bookcase or filing cabinet in one of your rooms. Be creative and get organized!
5. DECLUTTER YOURSELF – Every person needs extra time to themselves and peace in their lives. Create a list of all of your commitments and keep those that are most important. Reducing your commitments, especially those that cause you the most stress, can help bring balance and peace back into your life. Generating weekly goals, and marking them off when complete, helps to keep you organized, and gives you a feeling of accomplishment. Putting your life in order, will give you a sense of relaxation and helps to make your life less chaotic.
