It doesn’t matter what size bag.
It could be a bin-liner, or a small paper gift bag.
What matters is that each day decluttering happens. Not as an afterthought, or as a ‘might get round to’.
When looking to reduce clutter, momentum is important. If overwhelmed with where to start or feeling daunted, it’s unproductive to set yourself unrealistic targets.
By just filling one carrier bag with unwanted items, to be re-homed at the local charity shop, that very first day and then each day after, you’ll be on the road to an uncluttered home. It’s that action of constantly moving forward that ultimately achieves results.
“It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop” Confucius.
Unsure if it works? It does. This is what I have done. I’ve been doing it 5 years.
I’m not a natural-born-minimalist. Nor am I a tidy person. It takes work. But as with any skill, the more I practice the better I become.
Some days I play ‘Declutter 20 things in 20 minutes’.
Some days I just grab a bag and fill it.
And that’s what I’d suggest to anyone to do whether they be at the start of their declutter or living an almost clutter-free life.
For as we know decluttering never ends.
(Full disclosure – I have something I need to share, and will share on a decluttering post next week. There’s a skeleton in my closet.)
If you’d like read more on decluttering, I’ve written quite a few posts on the subject and below are a selection of them:
Engaging Children In Decluttering
Make Decluttering A Daily Habit
Declutter 20 Things In 20 Minutes
Declutterers Indecision / Missed Opportunities
Decluttering / The Feel Good Factor
Is It Useful? Is It Beautiful?
The Things You Own End Up Owning You
Let Me Introduce You To The Clutterfairy
Letting Go Of Clutter To Become Who You Now Are
Please feel free to share your own decluttering tips in the comments section below!
That’s funny–I just posted today at my blog about decluttering and owning less stuff! It’s so true that it is an ongoing process, due to the constant influx of stuff–the mail, the kids’ backpacks, unwanted gifts…the list goes on! I love the idea of just grabbing a bag and filling it. Sometimes, we overthink these things, don’t we?
That’s funny–I just posted today at my blog about decluttering and owning less stuff! It’s so true that it is an ongoing process, due to the constant influx of stuff–the mail, the kids’ backpacks, unwanted gifts…the list goes on! I love the idea of just grabbing a bag and filling it. Sometimes, we overthink these things, don’t we?
http://www.joyfullygreen.com/2014/09/3-books-3-lessons-on-owning-less-stuff.html
I’ve been over!
Thanks, Jo! I appreciate the visit and the link!
My pleasure Joy – I will definitely be checking out that first book!
http://www.joyfullygreen.com/2014/09/3-books-3-lessons-on-owning-less-stuff.html
I’ve been over!
Thanks, Jo! I appreciate the visit and the link!
My pleasure Joy – I will definitely be checking out that first book!
Whilst I don’t manage to declutter every day I like the one bag at a time approach. One bag of less stuff still feels like an achievement and I get that wonderful feeling of lightness and positivity as I walk out of my favourite charity shop having done a good deed for others (and me).
Yes totally agree that’s how you feel ‘light’! Its a fab feeling. And like you say, it helps someone else. Win-Win!
Whilst I don’t manage to declutter every day I like the one bag at a time approach. One bag of less stuff still feels like an achievement and I get that wonderful feeling of lightness and positivity as I walk out of my favourite charity shop having done a good deed for others (and me).
Yes totally agree that’s how you feel ‘light’! Its a fab feeling. And like you say, it helps someone else. Win-Win!
Like you I am not a natural minimalist nor am I tidy…but I am much more these days. I have a bag going which receives unwanted items regularly when it is full off it goes.
I too have a ‘regular’ bag. It sits in the bottom of my Son’s wardrobe, I fill it with hand-me-downs for a friend. Then she passes the bag back and we start again.
It’s all about habit and having a ‘system. As boring as that sounds 😉
(Glad to hear I’m not alone in my ‘untidiness!)
Like you I am not a natural minimalist nor am I tidy…but I am much more these days. I have a bag going which receives unwanted items regularly when it is full off it goes.
I too have a ‘regular’ bag. It sits in the bottom of my Son’s wardrobe, I fill it with hand-me-downs for a friend. Then she passes the bag back and we start again.
It’s all about habit and having a ‘system. As boring as that sounds 😉
(Glad to hear I’m not alone in my ‘untidiness!)
Great idea! I was going to say that I would try to do this today. But I know myself, so…I am going to grab a bag and begin right this minute! Once begun is half done, lol.
Great idea! I was going to say that I would try to do this today. But I know myself, so…I am going to grab a bag and begin right this minute! Once begun is half done, lol.