Decluttering 101

Raise your hand if you have clutter. It does not matter how little or how much. Clutter is clutter. Seriously, the only way you probably have absolutely no clutter is if you’re a die-hard minimalist. I have a simple system that I use to purge my junk rooms every year or month (sometimes). I use the 3 T’s: Trash, Treasure and Transfer.

1. Trash

I think we all have a habit of using the line, “Well maybe I’ll need this later” or something along those lines.  You probably didn’t even know it was there which means you probably don’t need it or you replaced it so trash it. 

I was decluttering my mom’s office last year when I came across a 1998 computer software disk. My mom wanted to keep it because “somebody might need it.” THROW IT AWAY!

Don’t be scared to throw items in the trash. You won’t miss it. If you have clothes or shoes that are damaged or stained, trash it. Old mail, make sure it’s nothing important and then shred it or trash it. Expired food, Eww! Trash it. Anything that holds no value and has no immediate use, trash it.

Don’t overthink it. You should know which category almost immediately.

2. Treasure

When I was cleaning out my garage, I found my birth certificate. Why was it in the garage? I have no clue. Important documents, childhood photos, maybe even your favorite teddy bear; these are items that people treasure.

Anything that is priceless in your eyes is a treasure. Just don’t get crazy and decide to treasure 85% of the clutter. You will be doing a disservice to yourself and your home.

3. Transfer

This has different meanings. You can donate items that don’t necessarily have value in your life but might help someone else’s. It’s not always about getting your money back. Sometimes you just give items away out of the goodness in your heart.

You can also sell items and try to get some extra cash. This is my favorite form of transfer. Don’t judge me. Times are hard and the struggle is real lol. There are different ways to sell items you don’t want. A garage is the old fashioned way but it might require you to spend a little money first (signs, price stickers, etc.) along with come research. I just use social media. Facebook, LetGo app and OfferUp app are some of my favorites to use.

Don’t try to break people’s bank with your prices either. Be reasonable.

Your clutter should be no more now. If you still have loads of clutter after this system then you must be a special case that needs special help. Yeah, I said it! Special!

All jokes aside, I hope this system really helps you get rid of the unwanted items in your home. If you have tried it, leave me a comment letting me know if it worked for you too.