Not a particularly sexy topic, but one that is so incredibly frustrating it deserves it’s own post.
We can all aspire to have a clutter-free magazine-quality space, but unless we tackle the core of where to put our stuff, we’ll never get there. Image courtesy of Parachute.
Here you are, spending more time than ever in your space, surrounded by things. So many things you don’t love per se, but you know you need and/or want, but they seem to have nowhere to go. You’re so sick of looking at them but the thought of finding a space for them is daunting and overwhelming, so instead they just stay right where they are. And over the next few days, the chaos continues, the piles grow, until suddenly a week later you start to boil with aggravation… sound familiar?!
It literally gives me chills to think about…
Having lived in an apartment with one closet the size of a shoebox, three kitchen cabinets for “storage” and a remaining 175 square feet of open floor space to work with, I am quite familiar with this predicament. The predicament being - WHAT DO I DO with all my stuff?!?!?!
Living in a space filled with clutter clutters the mind. It’s stifling and uncomfortable, whether you give it that weight in your head or not, there’s a subconscious discontent that builds as the piles build… It creates strife among relationships and energetically weighs you down.
So here are my suggestions for getting to the root of the cause and finding solutions once and for all...
1) Take Inventory
Look around and classify what you’re seeing - is it kitchenware? Is it athletic equipment (shoes, yoga mats, bike, etc.)? Is it piles of clothes (my downfall)? How about books and papers? Please don’t say it’s trash - if it’s actual trash that’s cluttering your space, I implore you to please just dispose of it…
2) Organize the Stuff
Let this not be an overwhelming task - simply group the clutter into as few piles as you can… They can remain out in the open for now, just put like with like. Simultaneously create a giveaway pile - associate that pile with pride. Others will LOVE what you no longer need; think of it as you’re doing good by giving.
3) Assess the Underlying Problem
The reason things build up is not because you’re lazy, it’s because there’s either a shortage of storage space and/or there is no system in place to manage it. In most cases, it’s both.
When you’re able to identify the categories of what is spilling over, say it’s kitchenware and clothing, it’s time to address the core locations for where those things are kept. Open your cabinets, or go to your closet. Now take inventory again. Identify everything you have that is supposed to live in this designated space… how chaotic is it? Do you secretly dread having to go put things away in there because it’s a nightmare to stuff everything away?!
4) Ground Yourself in a Positive Mindset
The answer is rarely “I need more storage space” without looking at what’s taking up the existing storage space. If you’re holding on to more than you need or have space for, the same problem will persist. Image courtesy of McGee & Co.
To be honest this only really works if you’re in a good headspace. If you’re at your wits end, there’s a likelihood you’re going to want to get rid of everything or give up part-way through… If you’re relaxed, it all feels a whole lot easier and more carefree.
Consider tackling one space at a time, rather than everything at once. Take breaks as needed, but have mini goals - such as, I’ll finish this pile/category/area by the end of the day. (And then do it!) Once you’ve tackled one area, celebrate and regroup. Tackle the next only when you’re ready.
The moment overwhelm kicks in, you’ll likely want to move on to another activity which is why it’s critical to respect your own needs and boundaries as you do this. But also recognize and acknowledge your resistance - is it because you don’t want to part with things or you’re agitated/bored? Depending on the answer, the solution may just be to power through… but be nice to yourself.
5) Dig In
Before it comes to coming up with creative storage solutions, my first step is to always pare down. We tend to accumulate SO MUCH stuff we once thought was a good idea but now no longer serves us.
Tackling the space with a clear mission of parting ways with some stuff is such a game changer. Rather than agonize over what you might be losing, think of how free you will feel when your space feels more manageable!
There’s not one single method I use when I do this - but rather I look at the space that I have allocated to these things and get really real with myself about what I use versus what I don’t. If I absolutely love something I rarely use, I still hang onto it, while knowing that piece is taking up valuable real estate and therefore other stuff must go to balance out that save.
Do you really need that second hand blender? Or that third pair of old running shoes you never wear anymore? Is this thing both cluttering your space and falling apart?! (I LOVE this one… an immediate “it’s got to go” answer comes to mind…). Get real with yourself and be honest.
6) Reorganize
Image courtesy of Westwing.
With your remaining belongings newly pared down, consider deep cleaning the area they will return to, to liven up the space.
Now reorganize: color coordinate, stack or fold nicely; place less frequently used items further away from the more day-to-day stuff. Baskets and buckets are great organizational tools, but only if they don’t create their own dark hole of cluttered stuff… each should have a deliberate purpose for what it’s containing and be easily accessible/sorted through when you need something.
This process should feel a whole lot easier with fewer belongings to deal with, having kept only what you use most and love. I hope you start to feel a sense of pride seeing newfound space freed up!!
Bag up the giveaway pile and get it out of sight - whether that’s to your garage or in your car, get it gone asap so you feel accomplished. It’s amazing how quickly you’ll forget what was even in there…
7) Get Creative
Only after you’ve gone through steps 5 & 6 should you start to think about how to get creative with the spillover stuff you still need to store. I emphasize this because by paring down and reorganizing, chances are you have sufficient storage afterall… and that is such an amazing feeling, I encourage you to chase it!
The answer is not always “need more places to put things” - it’s usually that you’re trying to stuff too much unnecessary stuff into too small of a space. Check yo-self!!
If in fact you do need additional storage, consider choosing a piece of furniture with organization built in. Such as a small shelf with baskets or buckets, or a coffee table with a topper that lifts off to provide storage underneath. Consider open shelving (but ONLY if you have a game plan for a pretty/uncluttered display!).
The goal is to achieve sustainable storage practices - freeing up space to free up your mind, having everything have a home that it easily tucks into and can be put away. Less is more, I assure you!
Hope this helps <3
Until next time,
LG