Throughout the years, I’ve talked about simplifying my home and business and living an intentional life with less stress. The process of decluttering has been key to getting me to that state. A decluttered home or workspace can feel like a huge accomplishment but, I’ll admit, getting there is HARD! It takes a lot of time, a lot of effort, and a lot of emotion! However, the payoff can be a feeling of lightness and control over your space and your life.
It’s important to remember that decluttering is just the first step to achieving this “state of serenity”. To keep your space neat and organized for the long term, regular maintenance is necessary. Without it, clutter can easily return and you’ll find yourself, instead, in a state of chaos and confusion.
How do I keep the clutter away FOREVER???
After you’ve completed the initial decluttering process, it’s time to set up a plan to maintain the order you’ve worked so hard to create. The key to long-term success is creating simple routines to stay on top of daily tasks.
One way to do this is by setting aside a small amount of time each day or week for regular maintenance. For example, spend 10-15 minutes each day putting things back in their proper places. This might include putting dishes away, folding clothes, or sorting through mail. By dedicating time every day, you can prevent clutter from building up again.
Another important aspect of maintaining a decluttered space is having a system for putting everything where it belongs. When you know exactly where to put things, it’s much easier to keep your space tidy. Labeling bins, baskets, and drawers can help remind everyone in the house where things go. For example, having a bin for school supplies or a shelf for books, hats, or keys ensures that everything has a place.
Check out my article: The Ultimate Workflow HUB-The Kitchen
It’s also helpful to regularly go through your things and remove any items you no longer need. This could be done every few months to ensure your space doesn’t get overcrowded again. Over time, you might notice that your priorities change and some things you once thought were necessary no longer fit into your life.
Evaluating your systems regularly to see if they still work is a key part of ongoing maintenance. If you find that certain areas of your home are becoming cluttered again, it could mean your current system may need some tweaking.
Decluttering will never be a one-time project.
Think of decluttering as a smaller process that is helping you combat a bigger problem. The problem may be that life feels hectic, there’s a lot to do, and you’re feeling unorganized and out of control. We know we can’t stop everything life throws our way. However, if we have systems and processes in place, we can control their affect on us.
Setting up routines for regular maintenance tasks and making adjustments when necessary can keep our spaces organized and prevent clutter from taking over our lives again. *