We all like to spend money and buy stuff whether it is because it makes us happy or we need it, I mean, really need it or is a distraction from something else. However, if we only spent money on things we actually needed and had a purpose how much would be saved every year.
Every house could do with decluttering in some way. Whether it is stuff, paperwork or even food, there will be a drawer, cupboard or room even that will need organising – even Monica in Friends had a cupboard full of stuff!
I have to admit I’m not a great shopper and cannot wander rounds shops all day. I go in, buy what I need and leave. That’s not to say that my house doesn’t need decluttering sometimes.
When looking around the house or even the room you are sat in now, have a think about what you may have which you either don’t like, use or have any sentimental feelings about. There may be other reasons why those items are in the room but, if not, how do you feel about them? Do they bother you? If so, they could be zapping your energy. If not, then no worries – carry on!
Where you do have energy zappers they need to be addressed to make you feel better about life. Mainly because life will be so much simpler without them. Sounds crazy? Imagine that feeling when you’ve sorted the washing pile or dishes and cleaned up, it’s the same feeling when you’ve cleared items that bring nothing to each day.
The simplest way is to not buy stuff but where is the fun in that? Another way is to sort through what you have already (possibly finding things you forgot you had along the way – I met someone who forgot they had a 20ft yacht, true story!) go through everything in the house, breaking the house down room by room and getting rid of things which do not meet one of the 3 criteria mentioned above. If you are unsure about anything then box it up to put in the loft to think about it again in 6 months time.
When getting rid of things, have a think about where stuff can go. Can you sell them? Should they go to charity or are there things that just need to go in the bin. Obviously anything that can be sold is a bonus as it is money you don’t have!
Once you’ve gone through everything which could be from kitchen utensils to clothes then work out where the gaps are, what you need, what are you missing? Or, if you have managed to sell something, use the money to treat yourself! Don’t go out and buy mindless stuff as this will lead to cluttering again.
I’ve found that thinking about purchases and deciding how much they are actually needed has saved us money. We have either not purchased something as actually we didn’t need it in the first place or, found a substitute in something we already owned. So many purchases are not thought about or, bought on a whim – yes, we own a drone. No idea why and it’s been used twice in a year so is now cluttering up the spare room and bothers me every time I go in there.
Have a think, look around and I promise, if you got rid of things that are not useful, sentimental or not liked you will feel so much better about your home.