Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Decluttering (from a Pro in Training)
Inside: Learn the top ten things you need to know about decluttering, according to my daughter, who is apparently a decluttering pro in training.
A guest post by my eleven-year-old daughter
A few months ago, I talked to my two daughters about them each writing a guest post for the blog. I knew they’d have different perspectives to share and hoped that their insights could benefit kids and adults alike.
We discussed what topics might be good, but I didn’t give them much direction beyond that. I wanted it to be written in their words so they could share what works (and what doesn’t) with decluttering and organization.
Reading what they both wrote was quite surprising. We don’t talk much about what I write on the blog. They both know what my work is, but they aren’t interested in listening to me talk about it at length.
Reading what my eleven-year-old wrote below was eye-opening. So many of her tips on the things you need to know about decluttering are topics I’ve written about at length. If you’re interested in diving deeper, many have a related reading link listed after them.
Our house isn’t perfect, and we may not always get it right, but I loved the wisdom she shared here and hope it’s helpful for you and your family too.
10 Things You Need to Know About Decluttering
Here are ten things you need to know about decluttering from my perspective.
Decluttering is very important because it helps keep your house neater with less effort. If your house is cleaner, it will be more attractive to guests, and you won’t be embarrassed to host.
Here are 10 tips to help get you started.
1. Pick a room
Find a specific area in your house to start with, such as a bathroom or a bedroom. This helps keep it divided into sections to break it down and to help make it easier and more bearable because it can seem like a hard project at first.
Related reading: How to declutter your bedroom in 6 easy steps
2. Ask yourself why you’re keeping it
If you feel the need to keep something because it belonged to a relative, consider whether that person would have wanted you to keep it. Do you want it? Do you have a use for it?
If not, consider donating it or throwing it out if it is not in the best condition. It will help you have less stuff and feel better about your space.
Related reading: 12 common reasons for keeping clutter (& how to overcome them)
3. Do I truly need it?
If you have an item that you don’t love or hate, ask yourself, do I really need this? Could someone else use this more than I could?
If you think yes or even maybe, I would donate it, give it to somebody you know, or sell it online.
Related reading: The best decluttering questions to help you make decisions
4. Use containers
Consider using organizers to keep your space neat. You will have a clean, decluttered, beautiful space afterward, and it will make it easier to find your stuff.
Related reading: 5 benefits of using the ‘Container Rule’ to declutter and organize your space
5. Create an organizational system
Make an organizational system that works well for you and your family to keep the space clean after it has been decluttered.
For example, put labels on whose is whose for duplicates of things and keep them in two specific areas so that people won’t get confused (mom’s note: you can tell we have two girls close in age with several duplicate things).
Related reading: Create the best organizational system for your home
6. Make it part of your routine
Try to routinely pick up things you have left out, and after getting them out, put them away. I would set a specific time to clean up each day.
Related reading: How to make a daily routine for yourself
7. Don’t keep gifts you don’t love
If someone gives you a present that you do not prefer, if possible, return it; if that is not possible, do not feel ashamed to donate it. I have had multiple presents that I do not prefer before, and I have returned them and gotten other things instead.
Donate the unwanted gift to someone who has a use for it.
Related reading: How to deal with unwanted gifts
8. Clean it up
Try to find the time to dust, mop, sweep, clean windows and window tracks, and clean other areas with the cleaning products you have.
Creating a routine will help make sure you get all of the cleaning tasks done.
Related reading: How to stay on top of chores by creating a cleaning routine
9. Limit what you buy
Do your best not to acquire more items after you declutter. This starts the clutter cycle all over again, and the item number never ends up diminishing.
Related reading: How to be more intentional with shopping
10. Re-evaluate seasonally
Plan a time to declutter once, twice, or a few times a year (I would around New Year’s) to reset, organize, declutter, and clean to be ready for whatever holiday or season is coming next. I organized my dresser drawers around New Year’s, and I have kept them organized all through the year so far.
It takes dedication and hard work to maintain a clean, organized, pretty space, but it always pays off.
Personally, I really don’t like having a messy space, so I try not to let stuff pile up on my desk and bookshelf (for me, that is usually where stuff collects).
I try to clean it pretty regularly, so it doesn’t add up to much. Because when it does add up too much, it’s way harder to clean.
5 Bonus Tips for More Decluttering Motivation
As a kid, to me, it feels like there are much more fun things to do than declutter, and some adults probably feel that way too. You could read, hang out with friends, watch something, play games, and do lots of other stuff.
Here are some things that help motivate me to declutter (you can also check out my sister’s list of ways to motivate teens to declutter).
1. Focus on the goal
Even if you do not enjoy the experience, it leaves you with an amazing result.
2. Reward yourself
Having an occasional reward after cleaning or decluttering.
Related reading: 9 fun ways to celebrate your decluttering wins
3. Listen to something you like
You can listen to music, a podcast, an audiobook, or something else you like.
4. Consider the end result
After you’ve decluttered, you have a better work environment or just a nice space to relax and enjoy.
5. Have more fun!
You will have more time to do the fun things you want to do afterward, and you don’t have to worry about needing to go clean your room.
Related reading: How to enjoy decluttering your home
Final Decluttering Tip: Make It a Habit
If you make a habit of decluttering your space regularly, like using the rule that if you get something out, you have to put it away, and organize it occasionally, your space will end up being much cleaner all the time.
Plus, you won’t have to have days where you dedicate the whole day to cleaning, decluttering, and organizing your room, because it will already be clean.
Decluttering can be hard and stressful sometimes, but if you break it into smaller pieces, it will make it easier.
I hope these tips will help you in your home!
What tip was most helpful from the list of things you need to know about decluttering? Let us know in the comments section.
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If one is a “pro” how is it that you are ” in training ?” Get real.😑
Did you read the post? I am the pro. It was written by my daughter who has a lot of insights on the topic, although not the same level of experience.
Your daughter us very wise and pragmatic for a youngster.
I already love this about when it comes to not having the room for negativity and responding with class and for clarification. Go you!
Read the article before you comment
This is the child of the pro who writes the column. So therefore, the child is in training — at age 11 (!!!)
Is that understandable for you now? Read more carefully, so you can leave your critical self at home.
What good has your comment done for yourself? Because it doesn’t seem to have done anyone else any good here. So, what is the point in commenting in the first place? I’m just trying to understand your point of view, if their is a point to be made.
Cheers,
C
I believe the Pro in training is her daughter’s. The whole point of the article was from her daughter’s point of view what they were learning. .
All wonderful tips! Using containers and asking do I really need this item is what I plan on doing more from now on. While listening to relaxing music!
I think it’s great that your daughter is also becoming a pro in decluttering! Nice to have a shared passion and activity. I always enjoy reading your emails and tips. Thank you!
Good tips and easy to understand. I may actually be able to do this. Thank you.
WOW!! Your eleven-year old daughter did a fantastic job!! Hats off to you, Mom!
Brava!
When I was 11 my mother just closed my bedroom door and prayed that one day I’d learn how to clean. It took more than 50 years. Your daughter is my new shero.
Great post! I am impressed. Your daughter is learning from the best!
Your daughter seems very mature and sensible 😊 maybe she takes after her mama ☺️
Your daughter provided some excellent tips for decluttering. The article was informative and inspiring. Her knowledge on the subject will serve her well in adulthood and establishing her own home. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you much for the insights from your 11 year old, that was 27 yrs ago for myself. I specifically remember that phase in my life and how I had an appreciation for organization and decluttering because my reward for doing that was getting to pick out some awesome decor at Pier One! Keep it dear decluttering Mama! And kudos to your very intelligent daughter! 👌🏻
Noo. 9 is the most important of all. I look at the clutter in my house and wonder how it hot there, and the truth is, someone bought it, and brought it here.
There are a couple of categories I find hard to let go of: children’s good school work, art work. and books!
I love reading about decluttering tips. Thank you. I’ve been traying to become a minimalist. Decluttering is therapeutic! Cheers from Saipan!