Decluttering is essential for a balanced life and an easy mind. However, sometimes it becomes too difficult to declutter not just your house but your life. As I frantically searched for something today, I remembered it was time to declutter our home. We’ve inherited my parents home, as is. And while I have tried to organize things to some extent, there’s plenty more to sort, to give away and to discard. I’ve found that there are 5 amazing decluttering methods from around various cultures to make your life and spaces free of clutter.
5 Amazing Decluttering Methods You Should Know About
1. KonMari Method
KonMari is an organizing technique introduced by the Japanese expert Marie Kondo in her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. You divide your assets in different categories in this excellent decluttering method. However, the magic trick is to keep only those items that spark joy when you hold them. This way you are not only letting go of useless things but also of the negative emotions clouding your life.
2. Feng Shui
Feng Shui translates to wind and water which are related to good health in the ancient Chinese culture. This is a 3000 year old ancient Chinese science and art technique used to balance energy forces in any space in a manner that it ensures good fortune for its residents. It is based on the concept that every item on the land has chi or energy that affects its immediate surroundings.
3. Box Party Decluttering
This is a useful decluttering trick where you pack your stuff inside a box but only take out items you are in need of. After a certain time has elapsed, you must get rid of the items that are still in the box, as you do not really need them. This is the perfect way to clean the drawer in which you toss items when cleaning up the rest of the house.
4. The Minimalist Method
You start the process as a new month begins removing one item on the first day, two items on the second, three on the third, and so on. By the end of the month, you will have around 496 items less in your house. While on one hand, it helps you remove useless objects freeing space, it teaches you to let go emotions and negative energy as well.
5. The Closet Hanger Method
This method has been recently reintroduced by Oprah Winfrey, who believes it to be a rather effective way to declutter. However, this one is exclusively for the clothing items. You simple begin by hanging all your clothing items with hangers facing the same direction. However, as you use an item of clothing you hang it back with the hanger facing the opposite direction. This will keep track of the items you actually use. After a certain time period, you will know which clothes are never worn by you. This way you will know what to give away.
Decluttering Is Good For Your Soul
Learn to let go off the things that are no more a necessity for you and you will see how light you feel!
Happy de-cluttering!
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I am definitely on a decluttering mission in my home. As rooms begin to empty out, I want to put them to good use!
I feel exhausted even with the thought of cleaning my kids toys. These methods are wonderful that you mentioned. I follow one method – if I feel I might not need that item within one year from now, then I might not need it.
Thanks Corinne! I loved this and I didn’t know about the KonMari method but I like it 🙂 I find moving a great way to declutter and storage bills are a great motivator – haha. Thanks again!
Totally agree with this ! and yes amazing tips. I’ve been trying to declutter my house and my wardrobe too.
ruchi nasa recently posted..The Sweetness of doing Nothing !!
While my house is Feng Shui based, i find decluttering to be difficult as everything sparls joy! Lol! I will try the box method… That will probably help me 🙂
I like to de-clutter regularly. And, I love the KonMari method, although I follow my own methods. I loved the one Oprah follows, of hanging clothes on the hangars in the same direction.
With Diwali around the corner, I need to de-clutter my wardrobe. Rest all is pretty fine! 🙂
I love the box party idea. I’ve never heard of that one before!
Hi Corinne, I’m a huge fan of de-cluttering and living simply. I don’t want a house full of “stuff” that I have to dust and that my kids have to deal with when I’m gone. I look at my mother-in-law’s clutter and all the stuff she’s holding onto for no reason and that she has no qualms about leaving for others to deal with when she’s dead. I think it’s a selfish way to live and I won’t be following in her footsteps at all. The other bonus of living without a ton of stuff is that it keeps the shopping to a minimum and saves a lot of money over the years.
Decluttering is so important when these days most of us tend to hoard more than what we need. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to clean my cupboard and realized there were so many clothes that I hadn’t worn for a really long time. I decided to donate some of them and I haven’t bought any new clothes in the last few months. I don’t really follow a certain method to do it, I adapt based on the situation at hand.
I am a declutterer at heart. My husband and I have lived in our current house for over 30 years. We have accumulated So. Much. Stuff. I am now in the process of weeding out and donating things we haven’t used in years. I need to check out the minimalist method.
Corrine, hi! It’s so good to meet you this evening. I was just noticing that all kinds of stuff is starting to spring up in too many nooks and crannies. Your words are a good reminder for this season in my life.
I so need lots of white space.
Thanks!
Linda Stoll recently posted..Let’s Talk Turkey
My goal this month has been to declutter and this post is so timely. The Kon Marie has worked to wonderfully on clothes and kitchen stuff. But when it comes to my books and my scribblings, I get lost. Need to figure our a way to let go of books and trust my writings to the cloud.
Corinne, it’s a great way to declutter and plan to implement the ideas in my personal. I fact, I missed watching Kondo on Netflix but draws a leaf after reading Rachna’s post on how to fold the clothing items in saving wardrobe space. I plan to adopt the minimalist and Box Party which is a great way to declutter. Thanks for educating on the methods.
Really catching up here; I thought I had previously read this post, but I surely need it now. Overwhelmed with small stuff in my office. I have been able to go through my wardrobe and other things to donate, but some of the smaller things on my desk I am wondering if I should just give myself permission to throw away! I am determined to clear my desk by Christmas. I am also forcing myself to throw out old papers (from my last post grad work). Slow work! Thanks for these excellent suggestions. Michele