Your first step in the right direction doesn’t need to be a big one.
Too often, when we think about decluttering, our minds race to the toughest areas in our homes to declutter. We think about the garage, the attic, or the home office. We wonder about getting rid of sentimental items, or photos, or hobby supplies.
But it can be both time-consuming and frustrating to declutter those spaces. We begin, get overwhelmed, and quickly throw up our hands in disgust.
Instead, start your decluttering journey with an easier step.
Find one small victory. And allow it to motivate you to take the next hardest step… and then the next… and then the next.
Here are 20 “First Step” Decluttering Ideas to Help You Get Started
1. Declutter the inside of your car.
2. Clear off your bathroom counter.
3. Remove ten items from your wardrobe.
4. Declutter the visible areas of your entertainment center.
5. Clear off your nightstand.
6. Walk around your home and fill one box with items to donate.
7. Walk around your home and fill one bag for trash pick-up.
8. Remove old or expired food from your pantry and fridge.
9. Declutter old or unused coats and items from your coat closet.
10. Clear off the top of your refrigerator.
11. Recycle old magazines or newspapers that are left out and piled up.
12. Declutter your underwear and/or sock drawer.
13. Clear five items from your kitchen counter.
14. Remove excess towels and linens from your linen closet.
15. Declutter your laundry space.
16. Clear off the tops of your living room side tables.
17. Minimize your Tupperware (start with anything that doesn’t have a lid).
18. Declutter your shower keeping only what is essential and used daily.
19. Clear out your medicine chest.
20. Return toys to the toy room or bedroom where they belong.
Of course you can only choose one “first” step from the list above to get started. But you don’t need to stop there.
Choose one first step above, and then another, and then another.
And before you know it, you’ll be on your way to owning less and living more.
Great ideas! And I like setting a timer too! 👍
#1, 18 and 19 sometimes hard to keep up daily. !!#@
I don’t think those things need to be done daily. Maybe every month? Once it’s done, should be easier to maintain!
I try real hard to use up what is already on hand. By doing so, I know I’m doing the environment a favor but also keeping my home tidy, organized and as clutter free as possible. Examples are I use body wash and shampoo I don’t like to keep our toilets clean! A little spritz in the toilet every time and before you know it, you’ve used up another container instead of just throwing it out. It’s a win win! I use orphan socks to wipe down my bathroom floor before tossing. Try to use things more than once before putting it in the garbage can.
The car is one of the last places people think of decluttering. I admit it – I did too! Recently I’ve minimized the number of Tupperware I had lying around, too. I rarely have leftovers, so it made no sense to keep so many.
This is a great starter list, for sure. I know people who can’t even get started, but a list like this doesn’t look so intimidating. :)