You Decluttered Your Space…Now what?

Decluttering your space is a refreshing and liberating experience. However, the journey doesn’t end with the last box of unwanted items leaving your home; it continues through the choices you make every day afterward. Maintaining that clutter-free environment requires a balance of mindful consumption, the establishment of effective systems, and the alignment of your habits to keep your space organized. The challenge of maintaining order and serenity in your living spaces amidst the whirlwind of daily activities is a universal struggle..trust me, even as a professional organizer, I struggle. But, as someone who loves to keep things tidy and organized, I believe it's my responsibility to share some of my best tips and tricks with you. So let me share with you a few small, yet powerful ways to keep your space looking its best!

Mindful Consumption

A fancy phrase for a transformative approach towards your buying habits, encouraging you to pause and reflect on your purchases.

Well, hopefully you’re not reading this while you sip your Starbucks as your Keurig collects dust on the kitchen counter...but anyway...in a world that's driven by consumerism, this concept will make you question the necessity and value of each item you consider bringing into your life. By adopting this mindset, you can start to differentiate between wants and needs and focus on acquiring things that serve a meaningful purpose or bring genuine joy, instead of impulsive buys that soon become part of an ever-growing pile of unused possessions (okay, just toss the Starbucks cup when you’re done, it’s fine). In situations where you need to buy something new, embrace the “one-in-one-out” rule to keep your belongings in check. For every item you bring into your home, find one item to get rid of. It’s not quite the concept that your toddler will grasp while you’re standing in the toy aisle, but you should be able to handle it in the Marshall’s checkout line. This approach not only helps in maintaining a decluttered space but also supports a more sustainable lifestyle...(speaking of sustainability, recycle that cup).

Establishing Systems

“A place for everything & everything in its place” - crucial for long-term maintenance.

If you want to keep your home decluttered, you will need to have a designated place for everything and ensure that items return to their rightful place after you use them; this is probably one of the easier concepts to stay disciplined in. This means that every item in your home, from the smallest screw to the largest piece of furniture, has a home. Don’t. Put. It. Down. Put. It. Away!!! Creating routines and establishing systems are essential to keeping a clutter-free environment; such as setting aside time each week to sort through mail, recycle, and reorganize spaces as needed. If that means you need to invest in a label maker (my personal fave), clear bins, and a storage rack, those are steps worth taking. Finding the right organizing system for your space makes it far easier to keep things organized and decluttered once you’ve done the hard work.  

Aligning Your habits with your decluttering goals

“Do your habits support your goal of maintaining a clutter-free environment?”

Reread that question, again!  Are there certain bad habits that seem to contribute to the mess? Let's chat about it! Small actions can set the foundation for more significant changes. A habit as simple as placing your keys on a hook and hanging your coat in the closet as soon as you enter your home instills a sense of order and intentionality. For me, it’s making sure my daughter hangs her backpack and brings her shoes to her room as soon as she gets home from school. It initiates a domino effect of keeping your space organized, reducing stress, and for me, not tripping over a Croc while I put dinner in the oven. These habits, though small in isolation, collectively pave the way for a decluttered and harmonious living environment. 

Get your family on board

Essential for maintaining a decluttered space, but if your family is anything like mine, this might be the most difficult task.

Start by creating a family action plan that includes everyone's responsibilities and make decluttering a team effort. A reward system for your children (maybe even your spouse) for completing chores and tasks or designating a certain time of day for the whole family to tidy up together can help maintain your space. Be mindful when designating chores; while I’d love for my daughter to scrub the toilets or mop the floor simply so I don’t have to, I have to remember to give age-appropriate tasks such as picking all my couch pillows up off the floor after a pillow fight, or helping me unload the dishwasher. We also like to play some upbeat music and see who can complete their chore the fastest, just to make the process a little more fun. Having your family members, especially your children, take part in maintaining your home instills a sense of ownership and pride in the outcome. While your kids might not necessarily see the value in maintaining a tidy space right now, they're more likely to uphold these standards if they feel they had a part in it, and it’s never too early to instill good habits anyway.

addressing the root causes of clutter

You're only one bad day away from compulsive shopping at Target.

While everything I’ve mentioned so far will certainly help with maintaining your fresh space, addressing the root causes of clutter is the real key to preventing it from re-accumulating. Often, clutter is not just the result of having messy kids and a busy lifestyle, but a manifestation of underlying challenges such as compulsive shopping and emotional issues. I’m the first to admit sometimes I fall victim to “retail therapy” and l don’t always choose to spend my free time being productive around my house. However, learning to manage those behaviors daily has helped me prevent them from contributing to clutter. Avoid going to the store out of pure boredom or frustration and instead go home and clean out your pantry; it will make you feel better and you get to have a snack! If you must go to the store, bring a list and stick to it. Emotional issues, such as anxiety or depression, can also make it difficult to let go of things that you may not need or even want. Unresolved emotional issues can manifest as procrastination or avoidance of dealing with clutter and mirrors the internal turmoil you may be feeling. Next time you are feeling zapped of energy and unmotivated to tidy your home try using the “5-minute rule” and commit to working on a task for just five minutes. Often, getting started is the hardest part so ask Alexa to play your favorite song and just start! You may find it easier to continue once you’ve begun. If you are struggling with anxiety and depression, seek support from mental health professionals who can help address the emotional or psychological aspects of clutter.