How to declutter for the New Year – Local Removals London

Decluttering a home is a great way to usher in a new year. This is the perfect time to declutter because the gifting season has just ended, and you probably bought some amazing bargains during black Friday. So you need to create space for the new items and get rid of the old ones. It will also give you a chance to think of other resolutions for the New Year as you clean your house and organise it. These are helpful tips on how to do it.

1. Get into the right mindset


Decluttering is not something most people look forward to doing. It seems like a lot of work and a boring thing to do. It would help if you found the motivation to downsize your belongings. Remind yourself that fewer items mean less time cleaning. So, if you dispose of some of your things, you will be spending very little time cleaning your house in the future. Also, remind yourself that material things don’t mean happiness or wealth. Don’t allow items to define you. Remember that other things are more important in life, like creating memories with loved ones or contentment. Therefore, discard the items and don’t cling to them for much longer.

2. Decide which areas need decluttering


Sometimes, decluttering can be daunting because you are never sure where to begin. The best place to start is the areas where clutter usually piles up fast such as the closet, pantry, bookshelf, shoe rack, fridge, drinkware, kitchen counter, board game collection, craft supplies, cords and cables, desk drawer, junk drawer, makeup and toiletries, storage space and medicine cabinet. When you finish decluttering all these places, you may decide to declutter other areas that most people rarely think about, such as social media feeds, email inbox, subscriptions, schedules, phones, thoughts, relationships, and emotional baggage.

3. Set a schedule


Decide the minutes or hours you will dedicate to decluttering and adhere to it. Be reasonable about the amount of time you can spare for such a task. Allocate enough time for each area and decide when you will complete each section.

4. Get the necessary supplies


When you have decided to declutter your home, make sure you have everything ready so that you don’t postpone starting and keep shifting the deadline. Some essential supplies you will need include labels, trash bags, gloves, and plastic totes.

5. Check the expiration dates


Please review all the medication, food, spices, and toiletries and check their expiration dates. If the dates have passed, throw them away correctly.

6. Throw it if you haven’t used it in the past year


The best way to decide whether to keep or discard an item is to ask yourself whether you have used it recently or in the last 12 months. This rule especially applies to clothes.

7. Separate things according to what you want to do with them


Get four boxes and label them recycle, trash, sell, and donate to make the decluttering process easier, faster, and more organised. Some places you can donate to include veteran nursing homes, group homes, senior centres, community or church pantries, orphanages, and domestic violence shelters.
Selling items is a great way to get rid of your belongings because you will earn extra cash. Some places you can sell your excess items are Fruugo, OnBuy, Wish, Folsky, Amazon, and Ebay, or have a car boot sale. If you decide to sell them online, take all the necessary precautions to avoid getting scammed or harmed by unscrupulous and opportunistic people. For example, you can take a friend with you when meeting a potential buyer and avoid meeting with a stranger from the internet in a secluded place.

8. Have fun when decluttering


Sometimes, you might lack the motivation to declutter your home because, frankly, it’s not such an interesting way to spend an evening. However, you can inject fun into the whole thing by listening to fun music, eating your favourite snack, and using colourful totes. Reward yourself with a spa visit or dinner out with friends or family once you are done decluttering.  

9. Use labels


Labels are essential when you are decluttering your home. They will help you know what to put where and help you know what you have. Buy attractive chalkboard labels or ordinary peel-and-stick labels and use them to label totes, baskets, and drawers as you sort things.

Your new year will be much more enjoyable and anticipated if you implement these tips when decluttering. If you are unable to do it on your own, you can consider a professional declutterer to help you out or a home removal company to help you transport things you don’t need to where they need to go. When you declutter for the New Year, don’t stop there. Resolve to make it a habit the following year and ask your family or friends to hold you accountable.

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