5 Ways to Declutter Your Home and Life

Contrary to popular belief, clutter is not garbage. It's anything that doesn't add value to your home. It doesn't mean that clutter items are worthless. This does not mean that the items are no longer valuable to you, but may be of value to someone else. Many people hoard things because they feel a special connection to them or because they believe they have some value. You can consider anything you thought would be valuable, but it isn't anymore, clutter.

It is a good idea to declutter your home when you have lots of time. This can not only help you free up space, but it also allows you to spend more time with those that matter most. You can create a sense of calm in your home, which could improve your mood and help you be more productive. These are some ways to declutter your home and improve your life in spring.

Clothes you Never Wear

Are you overwhelmed by clothing in your closet? Start by listing all clothes that you have purchased but not worn. Don't be sentimental. It is likely that you won't wear them again for at least a year. If you'd like, you can gift the items to your family and friends. You can also donate the clothes to Goodwill or Value Village. Or, you can sell the items online for extra cash.

Tidy up the Kitchen Pantry

You will be a minimalist if you know that cardboard boxes and other food packaging can cause chaos in your kitchen. These boxes can be thrown out to reduce clutter on your counter and pantry. You can also get rid of the plastic bags that come with cereals, snacks, spices, and dry goods. Glass food jars, and other airtight containers are better for food preservation and don't take up much space. Are you storing too many food items? Donate to your local food bank.

Makeup bag

Has your makeup expired? This is a good time for you to do a check. You should get rid of any cosmetics that are no longer useful or have lost value. Foundations last for about one year, while lipsticks can last for a little more than two years. Mascara should be changed every few months, but shadow colours and brow pencils can last longer than mascara.

Clear Out Your Fridge

Every two to three weeks, check your fridge and get rid of any food that isn't easily identified or has gone bad. You can arrange your fridge by food category or item so that you always have what you need. You can quickly go through perishable foods such as vegetables or cooked food if you create a section. You should not leave food in the refrigerator for more than one week. Otherwise it can go bad.

Organize Your Home Office

If you are a hoarder of paper work and books, consider gifting them to your local library. To avoid clutter and paper receipts, scan them and save a copy online. Make sure to dust your office desk. Next, organize and arrange all wires, extension cables and other cables on the floor. This is a great time to review your personal calendar and email inbox. You can become productive by decluttering both.

Clear the Basement and Garage

What do you do with your basement or garage? Is it a place you love to be in, or are you making it a dump yard for your unwanted junk? You need to organize your garage and basement with plastic bins or boxes. Make sure to leave some shelf space on the wall so that you can organize your stuff. You can group similar items together, and label them to make it easy to identify. Place the bins and boxes evenly on the shelves. You might consider renting extra storage space outside if you have lots of stuff.

How do you feel about your home?