Tips for having a clutter free home with 3 kids and a husband

[mamatothreebunnies]

I feel so overwhelmed with my home. Kids aged 9, 7 and 2. We have toys that are 10 years old but we can’t seem to part with. We have wine glasses but don’t drink but husband doesn’t want to get rid of because there special crystals. I hate a stupid amount of clothes but always seem to be clearing out my wardrobe.

i feel like every cupboard, drawer or cabinet I open is a bloody mess heaving with shit. My garage is a nightmare. Where do I even start.

if you walked into my house, it all looks lovely and clean and tidy. But if you open any cupboards then it’s a different story.

im naturally a bit messy but absolutely can’t stand seeing mess so I think I tend to quickly hide my mess but shoving away.

someone help. How do I get out of this cycle.

Ascertain what gets you motivated, and work with that. (Some possible ways you might challenge or motivate yourself:

• set a ten minute timer per day to go through a drawer or a shelf and remove what is superfluous from there
• give yourself a long term challenge such as, for example, 2024 things out of the house in 2024
• pinpoint what area most frustrates you or impedes your life and start with that

In general, start with the easy stuff, as every step towards being less cluttered is an improvement. So, for example, clothing and items for a child under two should go.
The examples you gave are ten year old toys and wine glasses you don't use. Leave the issue of the glasses for now as you would have to go against your DHs wishes and there are surely easier pickings. On the toys: is your issue simply that they are old? (Not necessarily a reason to get rid if they would they still be used by younger siblings). Or are they broken or never played with? In which case they should count as easy pickings.

If you are always clearing out clothes, do you buy too much?

When you talk about "heaving with shit" is it that it's actually useless, simply in the wrong place, or in the wrong place because there is no right place sorted for it or that place is already full?

To keep everything neat and clutter free all the time you need to have (1) no excess of stuff, (2) a place for everything and, most importantly, (3) it should be super easy to put each thing away in its proper place.

I'm decluttering at the moment. When it's this overwhelming I just pick up a random thing, decide if I'm keeping it or not. If I am I put it away or at least into the general area where it would go if there's room. If I'm not keeping it it's either donated or recycled. I don't sell because it causes delays and stress. It really is about just starting. Tiny progress every day eventually gets you somewhere. I'm a shopaholic and weirdly I've found decluttering to be having an impact on that too, which is great! Come join us on the declutter thread if you like? It's very informal with no rules. Or you could try the hoarders thread for more tips if you're really struggling to get rid of anything.

Be kind to yourself. If you're not getting rid of those wine glasses, use them. Get rid of some less luxurious glasses your DH doesn't care about and drink your lemonade from the wine glasses. You're worthy of doing this. The world won't cave in because it's not their designated purpose. Don't keep anything for best, use it and let go of some lesser version.

Who can't let go of toys? If it's DC, be the parent and make that decision for them. Do it when they're not around. Pay attention to which ones they play with obviously, don't throw out their favourites.

Start with obvious trash. Fill those recycling bins ready for collection day, every time. Most things and their packaging are made of paper/card/plastic/glass. Some areas other categories are collected too such as small broken electronic items, fabric for recycling etc, phone your council and find out.

Fill your general waste bin with broken non-recyclables. Bin the scruffy, holey, torn shoes.

Have a donations bag on the go at all times and if you find eg clothing that doesn't fit put it straight in there. When it's full then you can wash it, dry it and donate it right away. Shoes too. Use one of the pile of those useful looking bags that you were keeping for some unspecified purpose and donate the bag along with the stuff.

Be honest about whether anyone is going to read those magazines, papers, books and get rid of the excess to recycling/charity shop.