Clutter and untidiness has a huge impact on our productivity. All that stuff competes for space in our brain, leaving less space for, you know, thinking. So decluttering can help boost our productivity (and our creativity). There’s research to back this up, but even without that, I think we all know the feeling of spaciousness that we get in a clean room.
Unfortunately, decluttering is not a one and done thing. It requires regular attention, so it can be a gamechanger to have a method to follow.
1. Start with the easiest thing first.
Starting can be overwhelming, so choose a drawer or a single shelf to start. It’s quick and easy, and gets you moving.
2. Don’t do it all at once.
There’s no need to wear yourself out. Set a timer for 5 minutes and tackle one section.
3. Throw things out.
If you haven’t used something for a while (whatever that means to you — a few years, a few months), throw it out. If you feel guilty when you throw things out, try giving them away.
If there’s a pen or battery that doesn’t work, don’t put it back. Throw it out!
4. Consolidate whatever can be put together
Instead of keeping a box that has one plastic fork in it, put the fork with the other forks, and toss the box out.
5. Give everything a place to live
Don’t shift the clutter around in a new temporary space. Find a permanent home for everything. That might mean getting a few new bins or a shelf. You don’t need to go crazy and buy a slew of matching bins and a label maker. If you have any old containers, baskets, or boxes, put them to use.
How do you decide where each thing lives? Dana K. White, the author of Decluttering at the Speed of Life, says to ask yourself this one question: If I need this item, where would I look for it? I would add to ask: Where would my family members look for this item?
When you answer that question, you know where the item goes.
How often to declutter
How often you declutter will depend on you and your circumstances. But keep this in mind: Cleaning as the mess happens can be impractical and tiring. Waiting until the mess builds into a mountain can be overwhelming. Luckily, there’s a space between the two, and once you find it — and get over the hurdle of the first decluttering session — you can develop a routine that works for you.