5 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR HOUSE CLUTTER FREE

Decluttering is a topic that is usually associated with minimalism but in its simplest form, decluttering is “to remove things you do not need from a place, in order to make it more pleasant and more useful” {CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY}. The act of living clutter free is one that many are yet to master, so today we explore why we acquire clutter and 7 easy ways to keep your house clutter free.

There are a vast number of reasons for why we acquire clutter, but most of them can be simplified into these five types of clutter which are;

1. Sentimental clutter
2. Freebie/ Bargain/ Abundance clutter
3. Aspirational clutter
4. Trash clutter
5. Unclassified clutter 

1. Sentimental Clutter

Anything to which we attribute emotions and meaning is a sentimental item. Everyone experiences this differently. Some people use schoolwork and children’s artwork as examples. Others may have an old china set that once graced their parents’ dining room, gifts from extended family, hand me down clothes that you have never and will never wear. This type of clutter are usually hard to get rid of hence, taking a picture or having a framed collage where necessary can help in getting rid of the clutter.

2. Freebie/ Bargain/ Abundance clutter

While there are slight differences in the reason for the acquired clutter, they are still too similar to separate. In the world of online shopping and brand competition, many brands result in giving free gifts, PR packages, discounts to encourage sales. Many people who accommodate clutter are always reaching for freebies and discount even when not needed. With abundance clusters, it’s more about buying for emergency that never come, buying duplicate tools of properly functionally kitchen appliances etc… Using a wishlist to curate what you think you need and then giving it some time like 2 weeks before purchase will help.

3. Aspirational Clutter

These are associated with motivational posters, artworks, fitness gears and clothing. Hanging wall arts can be fun but when they become excessive and clutter the walls or worse, are not being hung. Buying and keeping around fitness gears to one day get into the habit of exercise

4. Trash Clutter

There are certain items that will only end up in the trash, from expired food items, expired medications, old newspapers, old magazines etc. Keeping them around is only causing your house to become cluttered and feel small. Having an ritual of regularly taking things out, incorporating labels that tell expiry dates on site especially with items taken out of their original packaging will help to combat this.

5. Unclassified Clutter

Items that have no defined place or storage should be discouraged from your space as they tend to constitute clutter. Before buying an item, envision where it will be stored and how it will impact the utility and feeling of your space before going ahead with the purchase.

Benefits of declutter

There are many benefits to owning fewer possessions. Even then, it’s tough to move into action. until the many benefits of getting rid of clutter reveal themselves, some of which are;

Spending less time shopping for material possessions and adding to the clutter keeps your wallet and bank accounts fuller. More financial independence. the majority of household live paycheck to paycheck. Decluttering, in conjunction with minimalism, will assist you in saving money to protect yourself in the event of an unexpected event. 

Decluttering makes it Easier to Clean and Tidy. a smaller space comes less things to clean and arrange.

Decluttering Helps Boost Productivity And Creativity, A Clear Space Helps Promote A Clear Mind 

5 Ways to declutter

• Have a routine focused on minimizing
• Get rid of replica items
• Make a place for everything and take out anything that doesn’t have one
• Incorporate better storage
• Label everything that can be labelled so you know when they become trash

If you don’t need it, if you don’t have a space for it, if its not granting you the fullest utility, if its not essential don’t buy it and don’t keep it.