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Start the decluttering process by focusing on visible spaces, such as the area guests see when they enter your home. This allows you to see the progress you're making and feel inspired to continue. Begin by removing trash, throwing away anything that is obviously garbage without overthinking it. Next, tackle the easy stuff, items that already have an established home but are just out of place. Take these items to their rightful places immediately, without creating new piles or delaying the process. This helps make the space less overwhelming and shows immediate improvement.
The next step is to focus on donations. Set up a designated donate box, preferably not a decorative one, and simply place items in it that you no longer need or want. Avoid making value-based decisions and keep the process simple. After handling donations, proceed to address items that require decisions. Use two key decluttering questions: 'If I needed this item, where would I look for it first?' and 'If I needed this item, would it occur to me that I already had one?' Take items to their designated places based on your instinctive answers. Avoid creating new piles and instead confront the reality of where items should go immediately.
Shift your perspective on organization and the use of containers. Understand that organizing and decluttering are separate processes. Organizing involves finding containers and systems to store items, while decluttering focuses on getting rid of excess stuff. Embrace the concept that containers serve as limits or boundaries rather than just places to store things. This shifts the focus from adding more containers to making decisions about what truly deserves the space. Recognize that a container can be as simple as the existing space in your home and selecting only the items that fit within that designated area. By understanding the true purpose of containers, you can let go of the pressure to buy more storage solutions and instead make intentional choices about what stays and what goes.
Decluttering not only improves your physical space but also reduces your cognitive load. When you have too much stuff and clutter, your brain becomes overwhelmed with processing and organizing those items. By decluttering, you free up mental energy and create a more peaceful and focused environment. Additionally, decluttering helps you become more mindful of not bringing new items into your space that may later contribute to clutter. As you develop the habit of decluttering, you naturally become more selective and mindful of the things you bring into your home.
When dealing with a situation where one person is tidy and the other is messy, start by focusing on your own decluttering process rather than attempting to organize the other person's belongings. Lead by example and make progress in visible spaces. As the messy person observes the positive changes and experiences the benefits, they may become motivated to join in the decluttering efforts. It's important to approach the situation without judgment or criticism, recognizing that clutter thresholds vary from person to person. By creating a calmer and more organized environment, you can support your relationship and improve the overall harmony in the home.
This episode blew my freakin’ mind.
After you meet our expert today and learn her revolutionary approach to simplifying your life, you will never approach the topic of picking up, cleaning up, or organizing the same way again.
Whether it’s your desk or closet that is overwhelming you, or like me, you are guilty of constantly starting projects and putting things in piles, only to run out of time or get flustered, creating bigger projects to deal with in the future, today’s episode will change your entire life.
I had no idea how simple it could be to feel organized and in control.
I learned from our expert today that I was attacking organization completely wrong, and that was the problem.
Her 5 steps are so life-changing that from the moment I finished talking to her, I started putting them into practice, and the results are incredible.
Get ready to laugh and learn as I confess the details of what a disaster I am (my husband even rats me out).
Luckily, the incredible Dana K. White, founder of the hit blog, A Slob Comes Clean, and author of How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind, is here to help us all.
And that's not all.
Don’t forget to sign up for "Take Control with Mel Robbins."
It’s free. It’s my gift to you for supporting this podcast.
It features 3 brand-new training videos, two hours of research-backed curriculum taught by me, and a detailed 21-page workbook.
This training will provide you with the coaching, structure, and support you need to hit reset, take control, and level up your life.
And if you combine this training with Dana’s advice about decluttering, you, my friend, won’t even recognize yourself in a week.
All at zero cost to you. Why? Because you deserve it, and it’s my way of thanking you for being here with me.
You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. So why not take advantage of this opportunity?
Sign up for free at melrobbins.com/takecontrol now.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
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