When you have children, you tend to get used to clutter. No matter how hard you try to keep things organized and neat, scattered toys, piles of clothes, and papers tend to always find their way back to the spot which you had just cleaned.
We have all wished as some point or another that if we could just close our eyes and make a wish, a miracle would happen and your space would be decluttered expeditiously to perfection. Although it might not happen just like that, here are a few tips to help you get things in tip-top shape for the holidays and beyond.
1. Purge. The purge isn’t just a movie, when it comes to cleaning it should be the law. An overabundance of “stuff” will more than likely drive you insane. Make a list of what every space in your home needs and if it is not on that list, donate and toss!
2. If you haven’t worn it, played with it, or used it in a year or more… get rid of it immediately! If there are things in your home that you haven’t touched in a year or more, do you really need to keep it lying around taking up space? Again, donate it or toss it, but make room for what you do use on a regular basis. Of course, if it holds sentimental value, invest in storage bins to keep those irreplaceable mementos out of sight but close to the heart, in the attic!
3. Set a timeline. Set a timeline for yourself as to when you want things to be clutter-free and recruit household help in achieving the goal! This can be a fun bonding experience for the entire family or even a family contest. Mark it on your calendar and when that particular date hits, if and only if you have reached your goal, celebrate together in grand style.
Decluttering your home doesn’t have to be a chore. Dive in head-first, establish family guidelines, and you will find that the next time you have to purge, it will run a lot simpler.
