How to start decluttering when overwhelmed?

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Being overwhelmed by clutter is normal. We've all got to a point where work, kids, and life have been so busy that we forget about the chores and the well-intentioned to-do lists and let things pile up until they are so overwhelming we don't know where to begin. 

As you are reading this article, you are probably ready to begin sorting out your clutter, but where do you start? Do you start in the cardboard of doom that is so full of boxes you aren't even sure what's in there anymore? Do you start in the garage that has years' worth of exercise equipment that one family member sore they'd use? 

As you know, you've got a lot to sort through and decide what to keep and what to get rid of. So, let's get started with a few tips on how to declutter when you want to run and hide from the situation.

Make a list 

I know, another dreaded to-do list, but bear with me. Just like how you would for cleaning your home, creating a list for every space that you want to declutter is really going to help you stay organized as you begin the process. If the space and the clutter are too big to do in one go, break the space down into sections on your list too. 

An example could be a basement. If you have a lot of clutter in your basement, you may want to start with a single wall of shelves or pick a part of the basement that will help you clear a path to other sections. 

This will help you manage the decluttering process and keep you motivated as you tick areas off the list. 

Figure out where you're going to take your unwanted clutter 

During the planning stage of decluttering, it is important you find out what you'll be doing with your things. One of the most overwhelming parts of decluttering is how to get rid of everything. It is all well and good making piles of stuff, but if those piles aren't going to go anywhere, you are just cluttering up another area of your home. 

Find a space where you can store the clutter you have sorted through; this could be the first room you declutter, or a spare bedroom, for example. Then, create piles. Now, there are loads of places you can get rid of your clutter. Here are just a few examples of the piles you may make: 

• Trash - you could throw this away straight away or store it until you can fill a trailer

• For sale - put this stuff up for sale as soon as possible using online sites; if that becomes too overwhelming, consider donating it.

• Donations - there are likely some excellent local organizations and charities in your area that would love to have your old things; some may even collect them.

• Sentimental - this is stuff you'll be keeping but want out of the way while you declutter other places.

• Recycling - check with local recycling centers if you need more clarification on what you can recycle.

Get a quick win

A quick victory in the war against clutter is always a good idea. Most times, overwhelming tasks seem so unmanageable because we are looking at the entire task and not the individual things that we can do within the overall task. 

So, pick an easy place to start - this could be a shoe rack overflowing with old shoes you've been meaning to throw away for a while, for example. Doing this simple and easy task will give you a boost of confidence. The clutter is gone, and the shoe rack is now full of the shoes you want to keep, and that is one small victory that will carry you through the more overwhelming parts of the job. 

 If you are planning on doing your decluttering over several days or weeks, and quite frankly, this is a very healthy way of doing it as it won't bog you down as much, try and find a quick win to do every time you begin the decluttering process. This won't always be possible, but whether it is completely sorting through one box, drawer, or cupboard, those small wins are valuable when decluttering. 

Make decluttering fun

Decluttering can be a lot of work, but it doesn't mean it can't be fun. Remember, you are sorting through memories of your past. Remember those flares you bought for that amazing Halloween party you went to 10 years back? Or that Shake Weight you were convinced would make you look like Dwayne Johnson? 

Put on some music or your favorite podcast and go at it. Stick the flares on, grab that Shake Weight, and dance to Taylor Swift for a few minutes. By making decluttering fun, you'll be amazed at how quickly you get into a rhythm and start sorting through everything. 

And if things are getting too overwhelming for you, take a break. Go for a walk, order some food, or go and pet the dog. When you return to the task, put on your favorite song, and try and sort out one box before the song finishes. I bet that you'll get a lot more done in that session once you start singing along and having fun.

In conclusion 

Decluttering your home can be overwhelming, but with the tips above, it becomes a very manageable and even enjoyable task. Just remember to make a list, get your quick wins as often as you can, and have as much fun as possible. 

Easy Steps to Declutter Your Stamford Attic and Love Your New Space

Are you dreading having to go up to the attic to put away your decorations? It could be time to reevaluate how things are stored in the attic. You should always consider the extra stuff that you don't need before tackling attic storage. To help you regain the space in your attic, here are some suggestions for organizing it.

Remove the small things first

Look around the whole area and fill up a few bags or boxes with things you can quickly and easily get rid of. At this point, you don't have to make any hard choices; just pick the low-hanging fruit. Don't bother even trying to open the boxes. You want to make decisions that are quick and easy at this point. Grab the things you know you don't want anymore that are already in plain sight.

Go through the larger items next

Look for big things that take up a lot of space and get rid of them. Things that are hard to store, like cardboard boxes, furniture, and big tools. It can be harder to get rid of these bigger things, but it's important to start here. By getting rid of the biggest things first, you will make quick progress in clearing out the space. Cleared spaces will be a visible sign of success that will keep you going.

Donate what you don’t need

If you don't need the money, donate unwanted items to organizations you support. If you have items that are too large or that hold sentimental value, of course you can keep them. Following this rule is pivotal in vast spaces that will be time-consuming; don't add to the load by attempting to resell everything.

Break the task down into smaller tasks

It's best to start by clearing out the obvious and significant items, and then work your way through the rest of the room systematically. You can divide a large endeavor into manageable chunks by focusing on only one section at a time, such as a single drawer, shelf, section of a room, or box. Don't think about everything at once. Just pick a small area to start with.

Decide what to keep, toss, or move

Unless you have a very light workload, you probably won't be able to finish this massive room in a single day. If you follow the steps above and tackle a smaller task each time, you will still have a feeling of success. Follow through until you know that each subtask is finished before stopping for the day. Getting these smaller goals done can give you a lot of pleasure.

Organize the remaining stuff

Do not stop clearing out clutter until the area feels livable and comfortable. When you're done, put away any remaining items neatly so the area stays uncluttered and functional. 

It can be easy to just put anything in the attic and worry about putting it away at a later time, but you have to be vigilant and resist that temptation! This is particularly true if you’re selling your house the traditional way, rather than using a program like Sell Fast Stamford where you don’t have to worry too much about how neat and tidy your home is prior to selling. 

Organization Techniques for Individuals With ADHD

If you experience Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), then know that you are not alone. According to statistics, more than 8 million adults are affected by ADHD. The condition makes it difficult to focus for long periods of time, and you may also experience depressive lows or manic highs. Needless to say, it can be difficult to organize your home and your life at times, but with the right tactics, it is possible. Consider the advice and tips below, and you can find the organization that you crave.

The Connection Between ADHD and Organization

In most cases, your ADHD may stem from a neurodivergent condition. People who are neurodivergent will typically act, talk, sound, and behave in ways that are different from neurotypical people. There are many conditions that fall under this umbrella, including dyslexia, developmental coordination disorder, and ADD/ADHD.

Experts have found that there is a connection between ADHD and messiness. That is typically due to the fact that ADHD symptoms can lead to trouble finishing tasks. As an example, you might have the idea of organizing the books on a shelf so you take everything off. However, you might forget, move on to something new, and leave those books on the floor, which leaves the project unfinished.

In order to help your organizational efforts, it is important that you come up with a system. It also helps to write down your necessary tasks on a calendar. You can also leave notes in the places around your house where you tend to go the most, so you can see them and be reminded of the task at hand.

Come up With a Plan

In many cases, the need to get organized while dealing with ADHD may require a plan. The first step is to avoid trying to be perfect. If you strive for perfection during every organizational project, then it will be hard to accomplish everything you have in your plan. 

Next, you need to focus on clutter-busting the rooms that need to be the cleanest but tend to get the dirtiest, like your living room, closet, and home office. When you work in these rooms, set small goals for yourself that are easier to accomplish. That might be to pick up all of the clothes on the floor in the closet or sort the items on a certain area of your kitchen counter. This is a great plan because once you accomplish a minor objective, you may have the motivation to continue.

As an additional tip, make sure that you are making it a habit to get enough sleep every night. When you get seven to nine hours of sleep, you have a better chance of waking up feeling mentally refreshed. You may be surprised at how much better you are at handling your organization checklist the next day.

Tips That Can Help Along the Way

An important part of organizing your home is clearing out the clutter, so you have more space to move about and fewer items to sort every day. When you find items that you want to keep but you also want out of the way, consider storing those items in clear storage bins. That way, you can easily see what is inside when you need it most. You can further ensure that you know where everything is by adding labels to each bin.

Another way to ensure that you can organize your home without fear of forgetting is to practice the “one-in, one-out” rule. Basically, if you buy and bring something into your home, then get rid of something in that same category. So, if you buy a new shirt, then get rid of an older shirt that you rarely wear. This system may be hard at first, but you will be pleasantly surprised at how much clearer the room looks.

Your smartphone can also be a lifesaver when it comes to organization. Set a reminder on your phone to clean a certain area of your home. When the alarm sounds, start that project. If you find that you get distracted, snooze the alarm, and when it sounds again, then you will be reminded to get back to the project you started.

As you can see, there are many organization techniques that can help you to stay on top of your tasks, even if you have ADHD. Consider the tips here, and you can tackle clutter and messiness.

4 Tips for Adjusting to Tiny House Living

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As the cost of living continues to rise, you may seek cheaper solutions to lower your overall spending. On the other hand, you may choose a tiny house in an effort to adopt the minimalist lifestyle. Whatever the case is for you, it can be challenging to adapt to different living conditions than you’ve known your entire life. If you previously lived in a traditional house, you might need a few tips for adjusting to tiny house living or luxury & affordable tiny homes in Australia.

Remove Clutter From Your Life

The most important thing to do when preparing for the tiny house lifestyle is to remove clutter from your life. Clutter can come in many different forms, meaning you’ll have to look at all aspects of your life. Suppose you have tons of clothes and shoes or a massive collection of books—you can’t keep everything in a tiny house. With that said, you should go through your belongings and keep only the necessities.

Set Boundaries With Your Personal Space

Because you don’t have a large area to begin with, you must set boundaries with your personal space. Consider separating your bedroom from the other sections of the house to give yourself some privacy and a place to call your own. If you share the rest of your home with others, keeping one area to yourself is the best way to care for yourself and avoid feelings of being crowded.

Decorate Sparcely

Decorating is one of the most exciting parts of having your own home, but you can’t do quite as much in a tiny house as you could in a traditional build. Try following the dos and don’ts of decorating a tiny home to ensure you don’t go overboard when purchasing decor. Although you may spend more time outdoors since you have a smaller indoor space, you should still personalize your home—just do it minimally.

Utilize Digital Storage

It’s no secret that most people have a ton of important files and documents they can’t part with, and you’re likely no exception. You don’t have to get rid of these files, but you probably won’t have space for a file cabinet, either. With that in mind, consider utilizing digital storage. Simply scan your files and documents and save them on an external hard drive. Shred and recycle the paper and store your hard drive in a safe place.

Hopefully, these tips for adjusting to tiny house living will help you make the most of your new lifestyle. Tiny houses aren’t for everyone, but a few helpful pointers could make the adjustment period a little more bearable.