Fresh Start for the New Year: How to Start Decluttering in 2025
We already answered one of the most common questions when it comes to decluttering of “where do I start?”. Today, I am here to give you my top tips on how to start decluttering in 2025! If you haven’t read the first part, go read that now!
>> New Year, New Space: Where to Start Decluttering in 2025 <<
>> FREE Ultimate Decluttering Checklist <<
How to Start Decluttering:
Start Simple
If you’re here, you’ve already decided decluttering is going to benefit you. So just start. Starting with a simple area can avoid overwhelm. Find an area of your home that you can quickly and easily see what needs to be done. Let’s say it’s a side table. Maybe we remove all the trash. Next, we put things where they go. If they don’t all have a place, create a place for them. After that, we wipe it down. Now, we only put back what we actually want on the side table.
Set a Time Limit
Setting a time limit will help you to avoid burn out. If you’re completely overwhelmed and new to decluttering, set a 5 minute timer. Once you have that done, you may add 5 more minutes. The more you declutter, the more you tend to feel motivated. Maybe you only have a sitter for 30 minutes and want to know out your kids closet. Nothing wrong with that. Set your timer. What’s done is done. 30 minutes is better than none.
Set Up For Success
There was an old show I’d watch as a kid where they’d come in and help you declutter your spaces. I can’t remember what it was called, but I remember one thing. They always had three piles: trash, donate, or keep. It had to go in one of the three piles. Maybe you’d even have a fourth pile for items you can’t quite decide on. That’s okay too, but it needs a designated spot, like a tote in the garage. Which brings me to my next tip.
Don’t Get Rid of Everything Right Away
One of the biggest mistakes I made was getting rid of everything I wasn’t using or hadn’t used for awhile. This is not necessary, especially if you are first starting out. Simply box up what you’re not currently using in that space. Keep it in a storage area and give it a timeframe to use by. Maybe that’s 6 weeks, maybe 6 months. Whatever you decide. If you’ve never used that item or forgot about it all together, it’s time to donate.
Selling vs Donating
As a frugal minimalist, it’s easy to think I’d recommend selling everything, but I don’t. Honestly, very rarely do I sell things that I declutter. Why? Simply because the item has to sit around and wait to be sold. So, instead of sitting on my kitchen counter, it’s now sitting on my garage floor waiting to be sold. The item is still there. Generally speaking, most of the items I would want to sell aren’t worth the time and effort. If you know something is going to bring in a nice chunk of change, that is worth taking the time to sell. Otherwise, be ready to give away or donate.
Don’t Be Intimidated by Guilt
Whether it was a gift or something you spent money on yourself, don’t feel guilty. How many items do you currently have taking up physical and mental space that were regretful purchases or gifts you don’t use? The money has already been spent. If you’re not using it, then why keep it? You can return gifts, re-gift, or simply donate them. I wouldn’t want someone I bought a gift for to keep it simply because I bought it. I’d want them to keep it because they love it or use it often. The same goes for things you have spent your own money on. Let it go if it’s not being used.
It’s a Journey
Decluttering is a process. Even if you go through and declutter every single space in your home, you will have revisit those areas. This is something I struggled with at the beginning. I’d see immense progress and then feel bad when I had to re-vist it. That’s just life.
One in, Two Out
Just because you’re looking to declutter, doesn’t mean you’re looking to become a minimalist. That’s okay. We won’t get into minimalism on this post, but just know, the easiest way to keep your home clutter free is to avoid bringing excess back in. That’s why the “one in, two out” rule is a popular one. Every time you bring new items in, reduce some that you have. We especially do this during the holidays. We know our children will be getting new toys, so we go through our toy spaces and make sure everything we have is currently being played with.
Keep a Declutter Drop Spot
We have one or two spots in our home that we always have a box set up for decluttering. So when we go through a space, whether during a decluttering session or just something we notice hasn’t been getting used, we have a place to put it. When the box is full, it goes straight to the thrift store. It takes the mental load off of decluttering.
Use a Checklist
Using a checklist can really help you with knowing how to start decluttering. It can also become a game or challenge. Having a decluttering checklist can also make it easy to see how much progress you’ve made, which boosts motivation. Luckily, we have one for you! Simply sign up using the form below and it will be sent right to your inbox for free!
101 Things to Declutter Right Now
Looking for a quick way to declutter? Here is a list of 101 Items to Declutter Right Now!
There you have it. Everything you need to know on how to start decluttering in 2025. Did you find this helpful? Let me know down in the comments below!
