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Cut the Clutter

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     Many of us have spent more time than ever at home over the last year. If you are like me, you’re looking around at the piles, clutter, things accumulated and all the stuff. It doesn’t seem to matter how old your children are either! Papers, art projects, toys, books, papers, stuffed animals, craft supplies, clothing—did I mention papers?! With six people in our family, our house can feel overrun quite quickly by outgrown clothing, school papers, toys and general clutter. If it drives you nuts like it does me, read on for a few tried and true mom tips, plus a few from a professional organizer too!

     At this point, you might even be wondering, “Why should I bother to organize and declutter?” Well, a quick Google search will reveal a multitude of reasons for living in an organized, decluttered home, most having to do with your own health. Weird, huh? Studies show that living in a clean, organized, clutter free home reduces stress and anxiety, clears your mind, makes you feel happier and less tired, creates more time in your life and can produce healthier air for you to breathe free of toxins. I don’t know about you, but I like the sound of that! Some people even find it therapeutic! Sarah L., an Overland Park mom of two, shares, “It may sound strange, but I think decluttering is a simple (and free) way to inspire yourself. Bringing order from chaos is therapeutic for me. I love how a room or space feels after being decluttered and simplified.” Jess, an Olathe mom of two, goes even farther. She says she “feels like a new woman after decluttering.” Doesn’t this sound like something we all need?!

     So now that you’re totally convinced to organize and declutter ... what’s next? The process can seem overwhelming, especially when it’s your own house. The best advice I can give is to start small. I have found it helpful to go room by room and break the process down into sections. For example, I don’t go whole-hog and start in our master bedroom and bathroom but may start with just our closet ... and it could take me a week to fully declutter and then organize along the way. Olathe mom of two Sarah W. says her “keep or go mindset” is helpful through this process. “I’m really good about the GO, which is to get rid of it! I don’t like to hang on to ‘stuff.’ If the clothes don’t fit, they go! If I haven’t worn it in a few seasons, it’s gone! If the kids don’t play with it, I secretly toss it ... otherwise they will claim to ‘always play with it!’”

     You might be thinking to yourself that decluttering and organizing are great but wonder what to do with all the stuff you want to get rid of but don’t want to throw away. You have several options. Some people choose to sell their items in a consignment or garage sale or even on Facebook marketplace to make a little extra cash. These options obviously require quite a bit more effort to get items sold. Other people prefer to simply donate their leftover items, which can be fairly quick and easy. Many places around the metro are always taking donations, such as ReStore, Goodwill or Salvation Army. You can also check out places online to schedule a pickup from your house.

     Another tip from having four children of my own is to set up systems that work for your house. For example, at our house, we keep canvas bins in each child’s closet, one labeled too small and one too big. Clothes they’ve outgrown get tossed into the too small bin, and once it’s full, it’s carried to the basement to get packed away. Then when I see a clothing need, I can “shop” from the too big bin! I also suggest clear tubs, bins or baskets when organizing kids’ toys. Group like items together and label the containers with words and pictures too. Once you have organized, make sure to teach everyone in the house how to use the new systems you have put in place to keep the family on the same page.

     One last thing ... don’t forget to include the places you’d like to forget—such as bathroom drawers, medicine cabinets, linen closets, under sinks and so on. Sorting through these areas can feel tedious, but I love the advice Sarah L. gives: “When I declutter, I am inspired to think about a space in new ways: Am I using it most efficiently? Is there something else this space could be used for aside from storage? Is there a way to make this space feel more useful, beautiful, functional or help it stay organized better?”

     Once you have started the process, I think you may find that it feels so good you are actually inspired to keep going. “Having clear, empty or well organized spaces allows me to breathe deeper and opens my mind to thinking about other things besides clutter and junk,” shares Sarah L. Remember the old saying “a place for everything and everything in its place”? Let this be your guide as you work your way through your house, and don’t be afraid to call in reinforcements! It’s almost always easier to declutter and organize someone else’s space since there’s no emotional attachment to their items. Give your mom, your bestie or maybe even a professional a call to help kickstart your process. You’ll be slaying this decluttering and organizing thing before you know it!

Spaces by Lindsey, a home organization business in the metro, recommends the following tips:

An organized space should make you feel calm and also give you a lift!

Julie Collett writes from her semi-decluttered house in Overland Park, which is always a work in progress. She loves clean kitchen countertops, though!

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