OK, hands up…who has made a New Year’s resolution? Every year at this time we have the opportunity to start afresh. It’s a new year, with the slate wiped clean and endless possibilities before us.
Maybe you’ve resolved to get a better job, be a better parent, eat better, or lose weight. Or perhaps you’ve resolved to create a clutter-free system in the new year. While we can’t help you with the first resolutions, we can help with the last one.
The first step to creating a clutter-free system is to get rid of the clutter that’s clogging your life’s flow. Are your drawers or closets so stuffed that they won’t close? Is every surface in your home covered with items? You’ll actually feel better with a little breathing room.
Step 1: Get Rid of Excess Stuff
The problem is, you own too much stuff. With fewer items in your possession, creating a system will be much easier. Start with easy projects first, like your clothes closet or junk drawer. Then move to larger projects like a basement or attic cleanout.
At 123JUNK, our business is hauling away the items you no longer want or need. We’ll carefully remove items like furniture, appliances, household items, or yard debris from your property and either donate, recycle or dispose of them, as appropriate.
Step 2: Create New Habits
Once you’ve cleared your space, implement new habits to maintain your new lifestyle. Instead of dropping items at the door, or leaving daily-use items on the table, put them back in their place. Tidy the kitchen after each meal, hang up clothing at the end of each day, and develop a daily routine of tidying up. Dedicate previously-clutter-laden spaces like tables and kitchen counters as “clean zones.”
Step 3: Stop Bringing in New Items
The next time you see that shiny new item in the store, ask yourself if you really need it. Will you use it? Do you have a place to store or display it? Walk away when you have the urge to buy, and then think about it when you’re not influenced by the packaging. If you still want and need it, then go back and buy it. Think about adopting a “one in, one out” system where whenever you bring in something new, you get rid of something old. If possible, rent or borrow items for one-time uses, like gardening tools or books.
Once you bust through the clutter and begin living your new habits, you’ll really start to enjoy your clutter-free life. Without all those items to clean and sort, just think of all the free time you’ll have to do something you really enjoy!
