There are two things to consider to own less clutter. You have to successfully declutter the stuff you have and stop bringing new clutter in. The suggestions below will help you own less clutter by focusing on both of those steps.
Clutter gets in the way of a simpler life and a healthier life. The longer you hold on to your clutter, the harder it may feel to let it go. Today is a great day to make the decision to live with less clutter. You don’t have take all of these steps overnight, but step by step and inch by inch, you can begin to trade your clutter for time, energy and peace of mind.
10 Little Tips to Help You Own Less Clutter
These suggestions will support your mission to own less clutter. Before making a big change, I recommend identifying why you want to make a big change. What will your home (or your life) look and feel like when you own less clutter. Imagining that will help you articulate why you want to make this change. Remembering that “why” when things feel hard will help you keep going.
1. Give your stuff away.
Giving your stuff away is the easiest way to own less clutter. You can bring your clutter somewhere that accepts donations, or find places to donate your stuff here. Another effective “give it away” decluttering strategy is bringing your stuff outside and placing a big “free” sign next to it. It’s always been my experience that other people want your stuff especially when you make it easy for them.
2. Sell your stuff.
I only recommend selling things that are worth a lot and easy to sell. Otherwise, only sell things if you are paying down debt. Otherwise you end up investing too much time and energy. We had a rule when selling our stuff, that we would only sell things worth more than $50. Anything we made from selling our stuff went directly to debt payments. If you do want to sell things that aren’t worth as much, try a yard sale or garage sale. Schedule a donation pick-up for the end of the day so anything that doesn’t sell still goes.
3. Stop feeling guilty for getting rid of your stuff.
Guilt can get in the way of your desire to own less clutter. You may feel guilty because you spent so much money on the stuff you don’t want anymore. Guilty feelings may pop up when you aren’t sure if your stuff is going somewhere “good” because you don’t want it to end up in a landfill.
If you give in to the guilt, it will be challenging to make progress. Instead, commit to owning less clutter for good. That will prevent the cycle of buy – donate – feel guilty that often repeats. It’s time for real change.
4. Create a mini-shopping ban.
Notice where non-essential shopping is coming from. Are there certain times of day when you are more prone to hit “add to cart” or give into impulse spending? Does social media prompt you to shop. Are you tempted by certain brands and their marketing? Admit where you feel the most pressure to spend or shop and eliminate that for at least 30 days. Stop buying things you don’t need because those things turn into clutter.
5. Try experiments and challenges to own less clutter.
A challenge or experiment removes so much pressure to own less clutter. Instead of pushing through, you can be curious instead. Choose one of these simplicity challenges to get started:
- The Minimalist Game. Find a friend or family member. Someone who’s willing to get rid of some of their excess stuff. This month, each of you must get rid of one thing on the first day of the month. On the second, two things. Three items on the third. So forth, and so on. Anything can go!
- Project 333. Challenge yourself, along with thousands of people around the world to dress with 33 items or less for 3 months. It may start in your closet, but dressing with less can change every area of your life.
- 21-Day Use it or Lose It Challenge. Pick one area of your home. For 21 days, set aside the items you think you use in that area.After 21 days, box up everything you didn’t use and hide the box for the next 21 days (while you work on a new space or category of stuff). If you don’t miss what you hide, or even remember what you put in the box, donate it.
6. Find happiness somewhere else.
I used to think I’d be happier after finding the perfect black dress or a new pair of shoes, but of course, shopping never made me happier. These 15 practical secrets make me feel happier. If you notice you need a happiness boost, pause before you purchase. The feeling may pass or you might figure out that something else will lead to more contentment. Here are 7 fun things you might consider for more happiness.
7. Try the one in, one out clutter rule.
Own less clutter with this fun rule. Anytime something comes in, something else must go out. This will prevent future clutter creep. These tips will help you conquer your clutter too.
8. Own less clutter by hiding your stuff.
When our clutter is all around us, we get confused. We think it’s important (even when we never use it) because we are emotionally attached to it. That makes it hard to release. Make it easier to own less clutter by hiding your stuff. Box up anything you aren’t sure about and get it out of sight for 30-60 days. If you don’t miss it or remember what’s in the box, you can donate it with ease.
9. Admit that your clutter owns you right back.
When you think about the money you spent to purchase and protect what you own, what you spend to maintain it, the time you spend cleaning it, worrying about it or organizing it, and the energy you spend managing your stuff, you’ll discover that your clutter owns you too. Letting go and owning less clutter allows you reclaim all of the time and energy you’ve been giving away.
Own what you want, but always remember, it owns you right back.
10. Surround yourself with people who want to own less clutter too.
You can declutter and simplify your life alone but it’s so much more fun and inspiring to do it with other people! Join The Simplicity Space or try a Declutter Hour. Invite friends over for a clothing swap or to come and take the stuff you don’t want or use anymore. Surround yourself with inspiration and support for any change you want to make in your life.
