Decluttering your workspace or home can be a great way to destress and set yourself up for greater success in the future. It can also be a great way to unwind at the end of your day and take back control as long as you take the right approach.
Use the following five steps to help you declutter any space quickly and easily:
Step 1 – Create A Vision:
Always start with a plan. Know what you need and want from the space and highlight any problem areas. Take measurements, if needed, and list any organization or storage items you might need to realize your vision.
Step 2 – Empty Your Space:
Start with a blank canvas by clearing out the area you want to declutter. If an entire room is too overwhelming, start with a single drawer or closet before moving to the next section.
Step 3 – Organize Your Items:
To get started, grab 3 (or 4) sturdy boxes or bags. Then go through each item and sort them into the following categories:
- Throw Away
- Give Away/Donate
- Keep
- Optional: Set Aside (reevaluate in 6 months) – Use this one sparingly for sentimental items you aren’t ready to part with yet or items you love that are past their prime, no longer in style, etc…
The fewer items you have in any given space, the more relaxed and rejuvenated you will feel in the long run. If you skip over this step or put things in the wrong category, you’ll be right back where you started. Take some time to reflect on what you’re thinking and feeling throughout this process.
Step 4 – Put Things Back:
Now for the fun part… It’s time to return items from your “Keep” pile to your space. This is also the time to toss items you want to throw away and place items you want to donate in your vehicle to drop off in the near future. Finally, place any items you’d like to reevaluate later somewhere out of the way for now.
Tip: Organize items you plan to keep by function or category into distinct zones within your space so you can find and use what you need easily. For example, a functional workspace might need a notebook, pens, paperclips, and space for a laptop and/or an external monitor and keyboard.
Step 5 – Reassess Your Space:
Now it’s time to take a step back and evaluate your space from a fresh perspective. Take note of how the finished space makes you feel and if it functions as intended. Also keep an eye out for any items you can still toss, donate, or give away to make the space even more functional and/or aesthetically appealing.
Tip: Do a trial run of any tasks or activities you have planned for your newly organized space and make note of any obstacles or challenges you encounter. For example, is it easy to access your new work area or do you need to move a few things around first? Roadblocks like this can lead to frustration and procrastination, so it’s best to address them before they become an issue.
Conclusion
Once you’re happy with your results, repeat these steps for each space you need to declutter and organize. Before long, you’ll experience the many benefits of living and working in an area that is clean, organized, and free from clutter.
