We love the relief that decluttering brings, as well as the sense of calm when we have a tidy environment. Who doesn’t love some breathing space? But let’s admit it, life happens. Maybe you got married, had a new child, there’s an ongoing school holiday, gone through some tough times, or just became too busy and overwhelmed. Before you know it, clutter has crept back in and your home is full of stuff again.
So how do we get back on track when we’ve fallen off the minimalism wagon?
Be kind to yourself
First of all, life’s natural cycle has ups and downs, and it’s okay. Acknowledge it, as well as the clutter that has come back, but don’t beat yourself up. Instead of feeling frustrated and disappointed at yourself, take action and reclaim your clutter-free space. And remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect. If you have a little kid running around, there will always be toys on the floor, and that’s absolutely fine.
Take on one section at a time
Pick a section that you are confident to deal with, before moving on to bigger spaces. Maybe tackle the junk drawer first, then the coat closet, then the bathroom, then the pantry. What’s Important is to start and build your confidence back up. With a bit of practice, you’ll get the hang of it again – you might enjoy the process too along the way!
Set aside 10-15 minutes a day
If taking on a whole room seems too much, set aside a manageable amount of time each day to declutter instead. Say, for example, 10-15 minutes each day, declutter and organise something and stop when time’s up. Who knows, you might even turn this into a little game and try to tidy up as much as you can within the time limit.
Leverage on external motivation
There are so many sources of minimalism motivation out there – from YouTube videos, to blogs, to podcasts, to books. This is how we usually get introduced to minimalism anyway. Listen and watch these sources and remember why you started your minimalism journey in the first place.
Do you have other tips to share? Happy decluttering!
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