My 5 tips for decluttering- make a real difference over time
I’ve spent a lot of time taking care of our home. Some seasons have been much more successful than others. It always feels nicer when my home feels less cluttered. These are some methods I’ve found that help with a job that sometimes feels like it never ends!
- Get everyone on the same page! Either individually or as a group have a talk with your family, especially those who are home more often. Unless everyone’s working toward a goal like this you probably won’t get any where. You’ll likely just go in circles. It will just lead to frustration.
- Stop bringing stuff into your home as much as possible. Ok, so in a big family this isn’t always possible- Life is easier when we can buy certain things ahead. (like toilet paper) I try to balance the need of preparedness with the space we have. Honestly my bathroom is pretty crowded with the big Costco pack of T.P. and extra shampoo I bought for when the girls inevitably run out and don’t tell me till the last minute. (I also found their favorites on a really good sale a little while ago) These are items I don’t really have space for, but I know, having a fairly large family, they will be used up quickly, so I made the space. (A family our size really should have more space in general then we do, but that’s a different post.)
- Do something every day. It doesn’t even really have to be much. Either pick a specific spot, like a drawer, or a time limit- say 15 minutes, and work until your set job is done. Make it part of your daily routine. In our home sometimes I’m better at this than others. You can tell when I haven’t been keeping it as part of the routine.
- Tidy your living space every day. This habit will allow you to see the progress you are making. Include a clean sink in your tidying. The clean sink makes a huge difference. Especially in the kitchen. I’ve always felt strongly about keeping dishes done but keeping the area around the sink really does make the whole area feel nicer. Leaving the dirty dishes sitting only makes our job harder, and grosser. When the sink is clear of junk everything in the kitchen runs smoother.
- This one goes along with tip 1, have everyone help to the best of their ability. If they are old enough let them choose an area to declutter, or neaten up each day, or week. Also remember if they aren’t in the house they aren’t messing it up. If they can’t physically help you maybe they can at least spend the time outside while you are decluttering. Either with another family member, or by themselves. Or you can do it during nap time. That said, I’ve found kids who are expected to help generally have more confidence. (Probably for good reason) and they can do more than we might think.
We have to teach them though, and yes sometimes that is harder than the actual job. The reward for you and them is huge though. Most two year olds are quite capable of helping to pick up toys they’ve dumped out, though it goes smoother when the adult stays calm and makes it a game!
Our homes feel nicer with less clutter. It’s almost like it helps our brains feel less cluttered. We have more than enough clutter taking up space in our minds with taking care of everything that entails keeping up a household. Oh and no it won’t always work perfectly. Some seasons will have other priorities, and that’s ok. You can always jump in and start again.
I forgot to take a before photo of the area I was cleaning so this is technically from a different spot than the after photo. 
This is after I spent about an hour sorting through various boxes and such. This area has a lot of photos which are time consuming but entertaining!
Anne Bengaff
On the surface I'm a 41 year old wife, and mom to 3 teenage girls. More than that though I am an accumulation of my adventures, and the skills I've gained. As a young woman I became an aviation maintenance technician through a school in S.C. I also lost my mother before I was 5. While my girls were growing up and becoming at least a bit more independent I graduated from the local community college with an associates degree in liberal studies. I've recently been reminded how important it is to continue learning, and following your own pursuits even while busy taking care of every one else.
