Motivation to Declutter: 5 Free Tools to Get Going & Keep Going (Even When You’re Not Always Feeling It!)
Uncluttering may be one of your 2021 resolutions, but with the year half over (gulp) have you actually felt full-on motivation to declutter?
Or is it one of those annual goals you just can’t seem to completely execute, no matter how much sense it makes?
Just like anything that’s “good” for us … drinking more water (and less wine!), dropping some pounds, walking a few more steps, or scrolling less on social media … these goals remain out of reach without consistent follow through.
But trust me: the motivation to clear space (or to do whatever is on your list) is actually within you … really!
Without a doubt, everyone falters at some point. We get distracted, bored, indecisive, or just plain tired of what we need or even want to do. But don’t beat yourself up and don’t give up. Instead, let’s do this together!
I’m here to help, so today, let’s begin with unpacking five fabulous tools which I promise will get you in motion and get your clutter out the door!
And as a bonus, I’ve got a link at the end of this post to 5 FREE tool printables and then you can start your space clearing journey today!
Today's post provides 5 terrific tools that unleash your motivation to declutter so you can get this done!
Tool #1: A Charter For Your Motivation To Declutter
The best place to start is by asking yourself this initial question: “What’s my motivation to declutter?”
Now I can almost see you blink and hear you say, “Wait, what? Isn’t it obvious? I’ve got too much stuff!”
Well, yes! Certainly, one of the end goals is the same for all of us: less stuff, more space. But it’s our “why” that is unique for what drives each one of us to yearn for clearer space in our homes.
Therefore, creating a “Charter”, or vision, for how you want your home to look and feel is important. And because our homes are truly a reflection of ourselves, what you really want to focus on is yourself!
Complete 3 statements which form the basis of your Charter
-> I need to declutter my home because…
-> I want to declutter my home because….
-> I hope to free up time/money/space so that I can…
For example, consider Janet, who is habitually late for everything. She struggles to get out the door because she’s never quite sure where her keys, her sunglasses, or sometimes even her phone have landed. She rarely entertains because her house is perpetually messy.
Her motivation to declutter is organization. The statements she jots down may sounds something like “I need to declutter because I’m constantly trying to find things. I want to declutter because I’d like to have friends over for dinner but I’m embarrassed they’ll see how chaotic my kitchen is. I hope to free up time so I’m not feeling anxious on a daily basis because I’m always behind.”
When Janet glances at her decluttering Charter, it incentivizes her to get started. In other words, it breaks the general goal down into deeply personal, specific desires which resonate with her. It fortifies her to keep going. That’s the power of a personal decluttering Charter!
Also, know that a personal Charter is a for-your-eyes-only statement. It’s the ammunition for why decluttering matters to you alone. So be honest with yourself: How do you want to feel? What do you truly want to achieve and why? The answers will help set you free!
Tool #2: A Tracker For Your Decluttering Mood
Now, create short opening and closing rituals for your decluttering session by capturing your current mood.
Feelings often dictate what our next action will be. So if you’re feeling anxious, distracted, lethargic, or any other number of negative emotions, your decluttering session could be in jeopardy!
Simply jot down a couple of words, a smiley face, or a frowny image to reflect your beginning state of mind. If you’re not in an upbeat mood, add a few words to explain what’s bothering you. Then “park” your concerns here. Tell yourself that you will set aside time to address what’s gnawing at you (and be sure to follow through).
Even when you don’t have a solution to your worries, just acknowledging what’s weighing on your mind is surprisingly helpful for lightening your mood. And now your decluttering session will be much more productive, too!
When you’re done, give yourself a star for powering on! You’ll feel accomplished after most sessions. Oh, there will occasional stints which are emotionally difficult when you are sorting through sentimental stuff. Take time to process those feelings. Guilt is one of the most common emotional demons to descend!
Just remember that your possessions are merely symbols of people, places, and events you’ve experienced. Releasing the things in no way dishonors who and what you love.
Keep the love. Release the no-longer-needed stuff.
Tool #3: A Summary Of Your Decluttering Accomplishments
Next, document which room you worked in and what stuff you released.
As time goes by, you will be amazed with what you’ve accomplished. Even just 20-30 minutes a day will yield noticeable results. One drawer, one shelf, or one cabinet cleared at a time gets you closer to your decluttering goals.
Seeing your efforts in black and white solidifies the progress you’re making. Which makes continuing so much easier. How can you stop now!
In fact, you may even choose to reward yourself along the way, as you achieve certain milestones. For example, every 30 days of decluttering or each time an entire room is cleared, indulge in a small pleasure like fresh flowers or a scheduled massage. You earned it!
By the way, if you’re feeling a little fuzzy about what’s true clutter in your home, this post will help you see things with new eyes: Clutter Definition: What Exactly Is It So We Can Confidently Declutter With Clarity?
Tool #4: A List of Your Decluttering revelations
Meanwhile, as your list of decluttering accomplishments grows, pause to review what kind of stuff you’ve kept.
Is it a little eye opening to see what you’re releasing? Are you taken aback with what you’ve amassed? Join the club!
Many of us are thinking, “How did I end up with so many __?” or, “I don’t wear most of what’s in my closet!” and even, “I have organizers but I’m not really organized!” Indeed, seeing exactly what we have a habit of overbuying or stashing away is the real epiphany for all of us.
Once we acknowledge our own clutter habits, it becomes so much easier to continue releasing what we truly don’t need or use any more. And this enables us to shift our behavior, as well.
Now, we can be more mindful with what comes in the door. Especially since we declared in our Charter what we hope to accomplish with our decluttering efforts!
At any point if you get stuck with the decluttering process, this post will gently but firmly get you back on track: How to Start (and Continue) Decluttering When Overwhelmed.
Tool #5: A Roundup of Personal Decluttering Mantras
Lastly, when the going gets hard … and it will happen from time to time … having a few key reminders will fortify when we get stalled.
When you are faltering with your “keep or release” decisions, that hesitation is usually a sign that the item does need to go. And you know it deep down, as well. However, there is an underlying emotion which is holding you back. This is the critical time to pause and identify what you’re feeling so that you can let the item go anyway!
For instance, is Guilt the culprit for too much stuff in your wardrobe? Use the mantra, “This isn’t my style any more”. If it’s Disappointment that’s holding you back from releasing things from a relationship that went south, try a mantra like, “I did the best I could at the time”. Whatever negative emotion is at play, remind yourself, “Now I know better!” Doesn’t that feel better?
In other words, give yourself grace to start over over. Forgive yourself for past actions and decisions. Or as I like to say, “Shift your stories!” Life is like a book of chapters and you as the author can turn the page and write a new one!
With this realization, your motivation to declutter is sure to be front and center as you look forward to where you want to head next!
Today's Post was all about uncovering the motivation to declutter by using 5 powerful tools so you can clear space like a boss!
If decluttering was easy, we’d all have perfectly uncluttered homes right now!
- Overcoming inertia is the biggest obstacle to getting started.
- Creating a systemized approach which captures your needs, wants and dreams will keep you going.
- Acknowledging your feelings and countering the negative emotions with positive affirmations will shift you to where you want to be!
Are you ready? Grab your free printables here!
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Video: Listen to Mel for How to Stop Procrastinating!
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