Declutter for more space in your home and head

When was the list time you got rid of the things you don’t use? Less is more: Declutter for more space in your home and head.

I’m sure you have heard about minimalistic tendencies and lifestyles. Long story short: Less possessions = less distractions and less decisions = less (mental) energy. That’s why Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein chose to wear the same outfit every day. A similar thing happens with your home: If it’s full of things and “noise”, you lose more energy. The tidier and clearer your space, the easier it is for your mind to find calmness and to concentrate. 

If you have a hard time getting rid of things, I totally understand and feel you. A few years ago, I always thought: What if I would like to wear or use this again in a few years? But, as everything in life, you get better with practice. I slowly learnt the benefits of having a visibly “emptier” space, less decoration, less clothes, less decisions (I see this benefit especially when I travel and only have a backpack with max. 10kg. There are only a few possible combinations :-).
And the best of it: The things you don’t use, can serve someone who actually needs them.

Here is my personal step by step guide to declutter for more space in your home and head:

1. Take a slow look around your home/room: How do you feel in your space? Look at the walls, look into your cupboards and drawers. How do you feel when you look into them? If you feel calm, at ease and no need to get rid of anything, congratulations, you can stop here. If you feel that you actually own (too) many things you don’t really use, please keep reading.
2. Think about the things you like and use. Then think about everything you already know you don’t like or/and haven’t used in a long time. Items you keep “just in case”. Whether it’s in the bathroom, kitchen, living room, bed room, whether they are gifts, decoration, clothes… anything you own or the typical drawer you haven’t opened in months and now you open it and think: Wow, I didn’t even know I still had this.
3. When you feel ready, open a box or big bag you can leave somewhere and start placing these items in it. If you can and your space allows it, prepare different boxes: One for technological items, one for clothes, one for decoration etc. 
4. Go wall by wall, drawer by drawer, room by room etc. Do it in your own rhythm. You can do it on a day off or during several weeks. It also depends on the size of your space. Place the things in the box(es) consciously and with gratitude. They served their purpose.
5. Time to let go:
   • If you are sure: Get the box(es) out of your home as fast as possible, before you can overthink your decision (Attention: our mind plays tricks on us here!). Please recycle. You can also sell or donate the things that are still in good shape. I personally love to donate my clothes.
   • If you are not sure: Keep the box(es) for a while. When a month passes, and you haven’t used and/or thought about the items, you have your confirmation you don’t need them. If you are still unsure, keep the box(es) 1-2 more months. If you still haven’t used them after 3 months, get rid of the box(es) without investing any more energy. Don’t think about it. Remember: Declutter for more space in your home and head. You can and will live better without these things.
6. After you got rid of the box(es): Take a slow look around your home/room/space. How do you feel now? Take it in. Even if it was hard – I hope you still feel good about the result and that you made it. Next time will be a little easier. If you feel great and motivated thinking that you could get rid of even more things now, congratulations! A new era begins and my recommendation is to prepare a bag or box somewhere, where you can place further items.

A few more thoughts/tips: I personally follow this process intentionally on several weekends every year. I just had a big clean-out last Saturday and it felt amazing again, as little things (eg. a card from a new place I tried, info brochures etc.) pile up in different drawers over time. Ever since I declutter regularly, I don’t buy new items as quickly anymore, I think longer whether I will really use them (= financial benefit). I store all work-related items in the evening and on the weekend out of sight. This helps me to completely disconnect from my professional tasks and prepare my space for mental relaxation.

What is your personal experience with decluttering? If you tried it for the first time: How was it?