Everyone has that moment when you’re FED up with a space thinking to yourself “That’s it. I can’t take this *specific area* anymore! I’m going to clean it out and organize it all. I’m over the clutter and overwhelm this space gives me!” Then, we quickly find ourselves at Target or somewhere similar buying ALL the organizational bins for that specific area that’s driving you crazy. Indeed if you have the containers you’ll be pushed to organize it and make this area easier and function in a much better way for you, right?
Do you want to know the absolute truth?
Many times, when we buy the organizing containers, by the time we declutter that space your momentum is gone and you actually just ADD more items into your home.
It’s rare the area gets properly decluttered and if it does. Many people find themselves surprisingly enough purchasing MORE items to fit the newly organized size you just cleaned off cause there’s now an extra space that must be filled.
Let me tell you how to make decluttering and organizing simple, effortless, and sustainable for your life so when a few months pass down the road. You’re not back at the same point you’re standing at right now overwhelmed with clutter and anxiety.
When you want to declutter a space, you first must DECLUTTER the space. Don’t worry, the organizing bins will come into play (that’s my favorite part too). Here’s the reason for decluttering your space prior to buying organizing containers.
When you declutter, if you have these new clear organizers you’re excited to use. You might subconsciously keep more than you usually would to fill the bins.
If you declutter without thinking of the containers. You’re ONLY keeping items you actually want to. Then, you get to buy (if needed) new organizing containers to fit the space and contain what you want to keep.
Does that make sense?
Declutter first = keep less
Declutter second = keep more
Every item must have a home. This is key to maintaining an organized and minimal home. This process has been studied and tested to be true. It’s not just my take on it.
Another consequence is if you wait to declutter secondly. You will put off numerous opportunities that will show up to declutter simply because you “don’t have the organizing containers yet”.
The whole reason we declutter and simplify is to make our lives EASIER. So, don’t make the process harder on you than it needs to be. Keep it simple and use this process to work for you and your home. Not against it.
Hope that was helpful. Leave a comment below if you have any questions.