How to Declutter when the mess is too much to handle

​How to declutter when the mess is too much to handle?   You just have to start.  Put one foot in front of the other and declutter a little bit.   When you declutter a little bit over a lot of time, it adds up to huge results.  Let’s get started. 
 
How to start:
Start right where you are – You don’t even have to get up from the couch!   Just sit and plan.   How do you want the room to feel?   How do you want to use the room?   What can you take out to achieve those goals?
 
 
Take a picture before you begin – A “before picture “ is very powerful – document your starting point and act as a visual reminder of how much you’ve accomplished. 
 
 
Eliminate the garbage – Grab a garbage bag and get the garbage out.  It’s easy and doesn’t require decisions.  It’s a great first step. 
 
 
Remove the stuff that doesn’t belong – Look around and take out things that have a home in another room.   Toys to the toy room, cups to the kitchen.  Again, these are easy decisions because they don’t require thinking.  You’ve already done the work.  The next step is “take it there now”.  Don’t let your to do’s pile up.  Part of your job in decluttering is take the items that don’t belong in one room to where they do belong in another.  
 
 
Declutter flat surfaces – I always say that flat surfaces are clutter catchers.  Don’t put your mail down – deal with it.   Don’t let small appliances pile up on your kitchen counters – put them away.  Clear counters not only look better but are easier to clean. 
 
 
How to keep up momentum:
Work in small chucks – If you don’t have time to declutter the entre house, that’s ok.  Smaller projects have bigger impacts.  Think about decluttering a certain part of a certain room in one session – keep it small.  Make it achievable. 
 
 
Declutter when you can  - Don’t have all day?  That’s ok.  Declutter when you can.   And batch your task with something enjoyable like a podcast or audio book.   The goal is to make the project fun and realistic. 
 
 
Celebrate your progress – Remember that even one small step forward is still progress.  You are doing great.   Just don’t celebrate by buying more stuff…
 
How to maintain your space:
Have a place for everything -  Make sure everything in your home has a designated place.   Having a place for everything makes things easier to find and helps others know where to put things when they’re done. 
 
 
Create one in / one out rule  - Create an exchange rule for bringing new items in your home.  This is especially helpful in the closet.  New shirt?  One goes out.   This can help you make decisions in the store – do I really have something that can go out if I buy this new thing? 
 
 
Establish a tidy routine. – Tidying for just 5 or 10 minutes a day will really make an impact in your home.   Set a reminder on Alexa or on your phone to do a tidy and reset your home. 
 
 
I hope these tips on how to start, how to keep up momentum and how to maintain your space are helpful.  Contact Bliss This House to help you declutter your home and establish good declutter routines!