Find Time To Declutter

 

One of the biggest reasons that people give for not decluttering, is they don’t have enough time. It’s true you do have to find time to declutter. It does take some work and it won’t happen overnight. It’s also a process. New items enter your home all of the time.

 

This is why you should declutter! If new things are always coming in then eventually your home might overflow. Get rid of some things and discover the benefits of living with less.

 

To be honest, you make time for what is important to you. If it’s important for you to get the clutter out, then you’ll make the time. Instead of watching Netflix… declutter. Or even better… declutter while you watch Netflix.

 

If you don’t want to make the time to declutter… then don’t. Live with your clutter. It’s fine. Lots of people do. BUT I don’t believe that is what you want. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here.

 

Understand it does take time. It took me a year to go through and declutter my whole house, the first time around. Now I declutter in spurts because the initial work has already been done.

 

Along the way, I have learned a few tips and tricks to help me find the time to declutter. While the time will not magically appear these tips will teach you how to declutter fast, find the motivation to make the time, and break it down to be less overwhelming. (You can also read more tips on dealing with clutter overwhelm here.

 

 

 

Declutter Box

 

My first tip is to use a declutter box. When a box comes into your home, don’t let it leave empty. When you order something and it arrives in a box, instead of immediately throwing that box away, keep it to put clutter in.

 

Fill up the box with clutter and then let the box leave your home.

 

This is an easy way to encourage you to declutter. You don’t really have to find the time declutter, it will naturally happen when you come across an unneeded item. The box will be in sight so it will be on your mind.

 

Declutter Clothing Bag

 

Keep a laundry hanging bag, like this one, in your closet. When you come across an item of clothing that you no longer want to keep, put it in that bag.

 

When the bag is full, you can empty it and donate its contents. Just like the declutter box, you won’t need to find time to declutter. It will naturally happen since the bag is always there as a reminder.

 

Set a Timer

 

Setting a timer and decluttering in a certain amount of time can do wonders. Cleaning never takes as long as we think it is going to. Plus, when we set a timer we are more likely to hustle and not get distracted.

 

Set a timer for 5 minutes and tackle a junk drawer. Set a timer for 30 minutes and go through your dresser drawers. Set a timer for 30 minutes and get as much work done in your basement as possible.

 

If you don’t finish in the time allowed, just come back to it later.

 

Or maybe you are now extremely motivated to get things done so you keep working past the time that was set.

 

Either way, you got something accomplished.

 

Get Drawer Organizers

 

Get drawer organizers like these for your kitchen drawers. Don’t keep a random catch-all, junk drawer.

 

I do have a junk drawer, but it has a drawer organizer in it and it never gets that junky. (Is that word?) It’s also designated for certain “junk items.” You know what I’m talking about… batteries, scissors, pens, take out menus…

 

You might be wondering how this helps you find time to declutter. It is more of a preventative measure. With drawer organizers, you are less likely to get a cluttered drawer. This will save you time in the long run.

 

Declutter in Sections

 

The best way to make time is by chunking up your house into a bunch of small sections. Don’t think about decluttering your whole bedroom. Think about decluttering the closet in your bedroom. If you have a big closet then think about decluttering one rack or one shelf.

 

Start with one room, and focus on smaller areas in that room.

 

Declutter As You Go

 

It also helps to do things as you go. Need to declutter your makeup bag? Take 5 minutes and go through it when you finish up your makeup.

 

Go through extra personal products in the bathroom on your bathroom cleaning day.

 

Clean out the refrigerator while you wait for the water to boil.

 

Get A Baby Sitter

 

Another way to make time is to have grandma watch the kids for a day while you tackle as much clutter as you can. Do this a couple of times and your house will be in tip-top shape in no time.

 

Ask for Help

 

Decluttering your home can be an overwhelming task. There is nothing wrong with having someone help.

 

I got the most done, the day my mom and sister helped me. My mom helped me clean out the basement while my sister watched the baby. It was a huge help and saved me so much time!

 

Finding Time to Get Rid of Everything

 

If you have a large space that needs to be decluttered it can be hard to get started. My biggest hang up is, I know what I want to get rid of, but I don’t know what to do with it. If I could just throw it all outside, and it would magically disappear then it would be easy.

 

Unfortunately, that won’t happen. Here are a few things that may help:

• schedule a pick up with the Veterans of America
• Know when your trash company picks up extra items (ours is the first trash day of each month)
• Fill up a truck and take it to the nearest dump, dumpster, or donation center
• Rent a dumpster

 

Find Time To Declutter

 

I hope you are feeling encouraged to find time to declutter. If you are still stuck on how to declutter, I have a lot of free resources here on the blog. There is a declutter house checklist of 101 things to get rid of in the free printables library. You can also see the list in this blog post.

 

I think the kitchen or closet is a great place to start decluttering. You can read all about that in my posts, Finding Peace In Your Kitchen and Finding Peace In Your Wardrobe.

 

If you are still feeling overwhelmed then check out my Honest Guide to Decluttering Your Whole House In Your Own Time. 

 

I also now have a free 3 Day Declutter Challenge available. The challenge is meant to help you get started by decluttering your bedroom in just 3 days. 

 

The guide gives you a decluttering schedule and tells you, step by step how to declutter your whole house. After you read the guide you will be such a pro. You’ll easily be able to declutter your house in a week and declutter a room in 30 minutes.

 

Read More:

How to Declutter Your Whole House – 101 Things You Can Get Rid Of

Declutter Sentimental Items – How To Let Go

Simple Cleaning Routine

Free Ebook – How to Design Your Own Cleaning Routine