Decluttering/organising tips?

[Jasminejot]

AIBU to as your best decluttering and staying clutter free tips?

Inspired by a similar thread, my problem is clutter. Overwhelming, walls closing in, years of built up clutter. It's depressing me. It seems too big a job to handle. I feel like I need all this stuff so how can I get rid of it?

How do you make the first move? And then keep it decluttered? How long will this take me to fix?

Do you ever visit the Housekeeping board? There are usually lots of decluttering threads especially this time of year!
Personally I found the Marie Kondo method very useful. You do have to stick with it as the book can, frankly veer into mumbo-jumbo territory at times but overall the method is useful. (The book is The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up).

I'll head over to housekeeping and order myself a copy, that sounds just what I need. Thank you!

Kon Marie.

Dedicate time to it. Do it. Never look back.

Visit the housekeeping board and join one of the threads. You could do Kondo, fly lady or I'm doing the 'get rid of one thing a day thread'. I was like you a year ago but have since got rid of hundreds of carrier bags of things and - while I still have much to do - I can feel the difference. My house is clearer, emptier, my tables and surfaces are largely clear, it takes less time to find things. I could go on.

Personally I make to do lists every day and set myself areas to focus on although just for January I am focusing on my paperwork.I set a timer on my phone for to do half an hour's paperwork tidying /shredding a day. I generally find that when I set a timer I get into the job and do more than I intended.

I swear by Marie Kondo. Except I've never read her book! I got enough information from the housekeeping threads (there are loads - AS them!) and other googling.

In fact, there are dozens of decluttering threads on MN and I have read almost all of them I think I really enjoy them.

You have to be in the right mindset. I've got rid of loads of stuff and I can't even remember what half of it is! I don't miss it at all.

Next step is to stop things coming into the house - be much more ruthless and picky about what you buy. I've seriously cut down on my shopping just because I was buying too many clothes that were "ok" and barely ever worn. And then I'd feel guilty and they'd take up space.

Do you ever regret getting rid of anything?

You won't regret it! I will say that once you do it, it won't ever be 'done' though. It is a whole mindset of not really letting things build up again.

Before you get to the nitty gritty of kondo I would say try and just throw the main things into garden refuse sacks (stronger) maybe blue for dumping green for charity. Just be ruthless. Trying to sell stuff will hold you back but just go for it.

It am still getting there but run a tight ship now clutter wise.