De-Clutter Your Way to New Beginnings

Article in Brief: Cluttering not only takes up all the space in your house, but can also hold you back from countless other experiences. The author tells us why it’s important to de-clutter and how to get started. 

Every time I decide to de-clutter, I feel like I am taking a journey down memory lane. I come across so many items that I no longer have any use for, but I still find myself attached to them- to their memory, to the story behind them, and to the notion of what they represent. We hold on to so many things from our past, and are hesitant to let go. The question remains though, what are we so afraid of losing? By giving away what is now merely clutter, does that mean we have also given away a part of our lives?

Then there are those who store things that they may not necessarily be attached to for the sake of sentiment, but rather with the thought that “I will need this someday”. Let’s face it – if you haven’t worn that dress for a year, chances are, you never will. And even further beyond, clutter doesn’t only apply to physical items, but can also take over in a virtual form. Is your laptop homepage or office desktop covered in files from way back, just in case you may need them someday? Are you guilty of being a hoarder and doing any of the above?

If so, you need to know that all this clutter will certainly take a toll on your life, because a cluttered environment is also a cluttered mind. All this junk is simply holding you back from new experiences. It is, therefore, time to confront your junk – whether physical, emotional, or virtual, and start getting rid of it!

You have to realize that letting go of the item won’t make you forget. The memories, the stories, they shall all continue to live through you; but by de-cluttering, you are making space for new beginnings, not only in your home, but also in your heart and mind. Liberate yourself with the thought that you will get another moment, another memory that you’ll treasure. Go on, free that crowded place around and within you. Take one day at a time to rid yourself of something that is no longer of value to you. Free yourself and embrace the new. Remember there is so much more out there that you can add to your life!

And if you still find it difficult, here are some tips to start de-cluttering:

1. Don’t overwhelm yourself by pursuing a full on de-clutter project. Start slow and approach one drawer or shelf at a time.
2. Be proactive and keep an eye on items you seem to never use. If it’s been six months to a year, it’s time for it to go!
3. Keep a watchful eye on the things you bring home. Get to the root of the problem and avoid adding new clutter to your life.

Remember – your clutter could be another person’s treasure. Get into the spirit of sharing and find out if there’s anyone around you who could make use of them. What better way to free yourself than knowing that your clutter has found its way to someone who can create more memories with it.

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References:

• Pyschology Today (2013). “Declutter Your life (And Head)”. Retrieved 2 June 2014. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/open-gently/201304/declutter-your-life-and-head
• Becoming Minimalist (2014). “10 Decluttering Principles to Help Anyone Clear the Clutter”. Retrieved 2 June 2014. http://www.becomingminimalist.com/decluttering-principles/
• AZCentral.Com (2009).  “8 tips on how to declutter and let go of sentimental items”. Retrieved 2 June 2014.http://www.azcentral.com/style/hfe/decor/articles/2009/08/05/20090805bigpurge.html
• PickCrew (2014). “How clutter affects you (and what you can do about it)”. Retrieved 14 June 2014.http://blog.pickcrew.com/how-clutter-effects-you-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/