Cut the Clutter: How to Organize by Stopping Excess from Entering Your Home
Keeping your home decluttered and organized can feel like a constant battle, especially when you others are bringing excess into the home. I am immediately picturing papers overflowing from a backpack and the piles of junk mail. Honestly, just the thought makes me want to start rocking slightly (back and forth in a corner.)
In this post, we will discuss how to STOP the excess from coming into your home.
Set intentions before shopping, especially online
Practice the one in, one out rule:
Declutter regularly
Understand your triggers
Practice gratitude & contentment
BONUS Section: Morbid Eyes Only
Trust me, I've been through a phase where I purchased excessively—spending nearly my weekly earnings on primitive craft decor for our home. Our apartment was packed, leading to extra cleaning (hello, dust!) and feelings of anxiousness when things were out of place. While I've moved past that, it still takes constant effort to question, "Do I really need this?" Make sure you have a real need for items in your home; if you can’t answer that question, then get rid of it.
I'm here to share tips on how to distinguish between what you need and what's excessive. Let's get started with effective strategies to stop the influx of unnecessary items into your home:
Set Intentions Before Shopping:
Before making a purchase, ask yourself if the item is something you truly need or if it's an impulse buy. Consider whether it will add value to your home.
Make a list of items you genuinely need before going shopping.
Stay disciplined and avoid deviating from the list unless it's absolutely necessary.
While sales/discounts can be tempting, they often lead to unnecessary purchases. Evaluate whether the item is something you would buy at full price before making a decision.
Practice the One In, One Out Rule:
For every new item you bring into your home, commit to removing or donating one item that you no longer use or need. This helps maintain balance and prevents accumulation.
I’ve done this and it truly works!
FUN FACT: I purged 1 item per day for the entire month of January (this year). It was a glorious feeling. Before you think there’s no way I could do that, think about clothing alone, one item per day is definitely doable.
Get the family involved: Kids have so much clutter…tell me I’m wrong. Purging gently used items after the holidays is a great way to lead by example. One toy/gadget in, one out can go a long way.
Declutter Regularly:
Regularly assess your belongings and declutter spaces like closets, drawers, and storage areas. This helps you become more aware of what you already own and reduces the temptation to buy duplicates or similar items.
I won’t ramble on about this here, go read more about 5 WAYS TO DECLUTTER YOUR SPACE FAST
Understand Your Triggers:
Identify situations or emotions that trigger impulse buying, such as stress or boredom. Find alternative ways to address these triggers that don't involve shopping.
Often times we buy because we like it, and it makes us happy in that moment.
Ask yourself: where will I put this when I get home or where will I wear this? Do I have anything like this already?
Other times we shop when we are bored; it’s a terrible habit that I’ve been guilty of too.
Check out my adventure board for 2024…yes, these do cost money but you are also having fun living life.
Practice Gratitude and Contentment:
Nurture a mindset of gratitude for the things you already have...Take time to recognize the practicality and beauty of your current belongings rather than always seeking something new.
A great way to practice gratitude is through journaling; I’m a true advocate of journaling; it’s a positive outlet for your inner thoughts. Journaling your inner dialogue can help you heal and process emotions of all kinds, gratitude is just one. If you don’t want to purchase yourself, it’s a great gift idea! I love these two (insert picture of journals).
This one - - - still really loving the simplicity of this one.
I purchased this one in brown (in 2018) and I'm still loving it today.
This one - - - I’m pretty impressed with the minimal effort it takes to keep up with this one.
I got this one for Christmas and have been keeping up with it everyday since....it take two seconds to jot down a memory or gratitude of the day.
BONUS SECTION | Morbid Eyes Only:
Ok…great, now that I have your undivided attention. First of all, it feels a bit wrong going from a section on gratitude and contentment straight into a paragraph rambling about death; I recognize that, you recognize that and we are moving on.
Ok, for real…I seriously hope you are reading this while in the comfort of your own home, because I really need you to get up and start looking around - open some drawers, open closet doors really look at your belongings. Yes, even that nightstand drawer that you shove everything in; random batteries, loose change, a random remote, all the books you’ll never read, condoms from that time you were on antibiotics and trying to proactively prevent baby #4, and everything else that I’ll refrain from naming because my mom is probably reading this. Hi, mom!
The point is, look at the contents of your home and now imagine - you’re dead. Stay with me here. Who exactly will be going through all of your crap precious wares? I’m sure you have a couple people in mind…Maybe your partner/spouse, your kids, your friends, a cousin or neighbor? Think about how difficult its going to be for them to sit there and sort through these items. They will likely be very saddened by your death, unless you were a terrible human; and now they have to go through your things, one by one and decide what to do. I don’t think people really take the time to think about this, and some might even think not my problem, I’m dead.
Even as I type right now, I am thinking about a closet upstairs that is completely packed full of miscellaneous bs - and I purged 6 months ago. Do your loved ones a favor and try to prepare…STEP 1: PURGE YOUR CRAP. The End.
