Decluttering? You may be decluttering for various reasons: because you are moving into a new home, you want to free up space or keep things organized in your home. Decluttering may not be a simple task; there are just some items that are hard to let go of. But if you follow certain rules for decluttering, you will be able to declutter effectively.

10 Rules for Decluttering

1. Know Your "Why"

It's essential to understand why you are decluttering in the first place. It will help keep you motivated throughout the entire decluttering process. Are you decluttering for a minimalist lifestyle? Is it to reduce stress or so you can find things easily? There are no wrong answers, and people may declutter for different reasons. Identifying your reason for decluttering will help you stay motivated.

2. Start Small

Decluttering can be overwhelming, but you will feel less of the stress if you start small. In fact, beginning small is one of the best methods for decluttering. Don't feel pressured to finish everything all at once. You can start with five minutes at a time and slowly build your momentum.

You can choose to start with your closet or a single drawer first. You can also start with one room a week. The goal is to focus on one area at a time. This will help you sort all your items and determine which ones you are going to keep and let go of. Starting small will make things feel less overwhelming.

Also, remember that small progress is still progress, so take your time and start small!

3. Get Rid of Duplicates

Part of decluttering is getting rid of items you don't need. Unnecessary items can be duplicates. Getting rid of duplicates will certainly help you free up space in your home. You may have unnecessary duplicate items lying around your home. These duplicates are items you may not be using because there is no need to use them.

Check all your items, see if there are duplicates, and keep the one that is in good condition. These items can be duplicate clothing or books. Keep one and let go of the other. You'll be surprised by the additional space you will get once you get rid of duplicates.

4. Get Rid of Expired Items

Now, there's no point in keeping items that have already expired. These expired items can take up a lot of space in your home. You could have expired makeup, skin care products, or medicine. You may think that items like these are small, but they can still take up space. And you can use that space for things that you will actually use.

So, make sure to check expiration dates. If one item has already expired, throw it away. Getting rid of expired items is not just about getting more space in your house. It's also about ensuring that the products in your home are safe to use.

5. Get Rid of Items You Have Not Used in a Year

Decluttering involves letting go of items you no longer need. Maybe there's something you used a lot before, but you don't use it now. You may have items you have not used for a year, and there's a reason for that – you no longer need them. So, it is better to get rid of these items.

You may be thinking that you might use the item eventually. But if you have not used it for a year already, then chances are, you won't be using it in the future. These items that are lying around your house are just taking up space. So, free up space in your home by getting rid of items you have not used for a year.

6. Let Go: Do Not Keep Items Out of Guilt

Decluttering can be hard because there can be emotions involved. You may have items in your home that you are keeping out of guilt. You don't want to let go of that item because you might feel guilty about doing so.

Perhaps you have a dress you spent so much for but never actually used. Maybe you have an unwanted gift you are holding on to because letting go of it will make you feel bad.

However, when decluttering, you should let go of items you do not use. It is also better to be realistic and ask yourself, "Am I actually using this item?" Because if not, it is better to get rid of that item. Don't let guilt get in the way of your decluttering process.

7. Avoid a "Maybe" Pile

When decluttering, you may have piles of items to keep and give away. Sometimes, people want to create another pile: the "maybe" pile. Now, this pile is for things that you are not sure whether to keep or let go of. If, however, you want to declutter successfully, you should avoid creating this pile.

When decluttering, you need to be decisive about what items to keep and what to let go of. A "maybe" pile can encourage you to keep items "just in case." The "maybe" pile can also be very long, which means you won't be freeing up space like you wanted to. So, it is better to avoid having a "maybe" pile.

If you do, however, have a "maybe" pile because it's really difficult to make a decision on some items, you can store these items temporarily in a storage unit until you have a final decision.

8. Digitize

Your home may be filled with lots of paper, from user manuals to old documents. Rather than keep a bunch of papers piling on surfaces in your home, take pictures of them or download a scanner app instead.

9. Find the Missing Pieces

Now, you may have some pairs or items that work together. Take, for example, a pair of socks. If one sock is missing and you can't find it, let go of the sock that's still with you. If you find the missing piece, then keep both socks.

If there's an old remote in your home, and you don't know what that remote controls, it is better to get rid of it. If you can't find the missing pieces or other halves, let go.

10. Have a Place for Everything

If you just leave things around randomly, clutter will build up. To avoid this, make sure that all your items have permanent homes. After you are done using them, put them back where they belong. By doing this, you can stay organized and avoid having piles of random items.

Final Thoughts on Rules for Decluttering

Decluttering can be an overwhelming activity, but it doesn't have to be. Starting small will help you accomplish things and feel less of the stress. Remember that you should declutter things you do not need, such as duplicates, expired items, and things you haven't used in a year.

When decluttering, you should also remember to let go and not hold onto guilt. If a "maybe" pile cannot be avoided, you can always rent a storage unit for a short period of time.