A New Way To Declutter and Minimise

Minimalism. Although a lifestyle for many it has become a trend over the recent years. There's been a surge of Youtubers, podcasts, books and even TV shows based around the art of minimalism and decluttering our homes. It was something I came across whilst suffering with my anxiety at it's peak and something I loved the concept and values off. So I embarked on my minimalism journey, not for the aesthetics or the challenges, but for my own well being. Clutter made me more anxious and small irritations around my home could build up and spiral into a panic attack. I wanted the simpler life, a home that worked for me and to avoid the guilt of wasting money. 

In fact for me it worked so well that I feel minimalism as a lifestyle helps control my anxiety to a livable and manageable level. Of course I'm not stating it is a cure or a quick fix, but for me it really, truly helps. I was so enthusiastic that I run several Facebook groups, with my friends as members, to help others declutter their homes and continue to watch my favorite Youtubers on their own journeys and with their own wisdom. It worked so well for me I wanted to shout it from the rooftops and help all see the light! I know, dramatic right. But I had the same conversation with many other people which normally went something along the lines of...

"I have too much stuff/ buy too much/ feel like a hoarder and I've tried the book/ challenge/ video series BUT I find it really hard to get rid of things I love...."

Wait a minute. Minimalism isn't about getting rid of things you truly love or things you need. Why would you feel like that.

"Because the book/ challenge/ video said I needed to declutter my clothes/ books/ stationary/ tech/ sentimental items and I can't part with them."

So I saw the problem with many methods out there. The categories themselves sound like nice items to get rid of. And for some people those categorize are also their passion, hobby or collection. They've spent a lot of time and money acquiring these things and the thought of going through them to toss things out seems intimidating or too much. So they do what most humans do. Avoid! Minimalism and decluttering shouldn't feel that way. And although there will always be people that struggle to part with anything, may be due to emotional hoarding or a past trauma, for those that just feel it a struggle or some resistance to letting their things go, I decided to make it easier. It's all in the mindset and wording. You may see the category of shoes a difficult one that you don't want to part with but if that category was items that are uncomfortable, worn out items or items that have a bad smell to them, you would see those as something you could let go of. The mindset of 'I can't get rid of my shoes' shifts to 'I could maybe let those boots go that nip my toes and have discolored a little.'

By looking at your home and deciding what causes you a pain, makes you uncomfortable, causes inconvenience, is linked to negative feelings, isn't fit for purpose or doesn't do you a service, it is easier to see what can go. So I came up with my new method. I'm calling it...

Declutter Negativity

A master list will be available soon for you all to work through if you feel this method may help. It's a good place to start for those who feel they don't know where to start or feel resistance to other methods. Alternatively it's great for those of us who want to fine tune our already decluttered home or for those who don't want to be a minimalist but just don't want useless items in their space.

Take the categorise at your own pace. Whether you work on these daily, over a week, over a month or over the next year. Whether you go through each category thoroughly or continually repeat and revisit them. Whether you get half way through and feel you are done. Whatever happens with this process will leave you with less negativity in your space. You can work through one room or area at a time by asking yourself the following questions in any order you choose.

I want you to stand in each room and say out loud "I'm going to remove all the items that are....."

• trash
• for the recycling bin
• empty packaging
• out of date
• redundant to me
• smell bad
• taste bad
• cause me irritation physically or mentally
• broken beyond repair
• stained
• torn
• ugly
• always my last choice
• dust collectors
• just stored away all the time
• embarrassing to me
• not "me"
• holding bad memories
• annoying
• a waste of time
• borrowed from somebody else (return them and if needed buy your own or ask the person if you can buy the items from them)
• duplicates
• something I feel I have too many of
• a good gift for somebody else (regift them)
• in need to a charity I would like to support
• worth selling on so I can have the money instead

Just think of the negative things you would not want present in your home. When you imagine the perfect living environment what does it not include? Remove the items that go against that idea of a dream home or living environment. And please think of moving on items responsibly. Before it is trashed or sent to landfill can it be gifted, donated, sold, recycled or passed on to somebody you know.

A more in depth list of each category will be available soon. 

Much love,
Becky xx