The first step to purging is to set aside an area,whether that’s a room in your home or a space outside,where you can bring your things and divide them up. I usually set up three big cardboard boxes:one for items to donate,one for items that are so worn or broken that they must be thrown away and recycled,and one box for items that are neither,but need another action done on them,like borrowed books you need to return or a nice outfit you need to have tailored. Keeping your options simple helps make the purging your home seem much more manageable.
Next,I go room by room and expose everything in that one area,including the stuff inside drawers,under the bed,and inside storage. Clutter is everywhere,and even if it’s out of sight,studies have shown that knowing clutter is present still tends to bother people. Depending on how much time you have,you might be able to de-clutter your whole house within one day,or you might need to dedicate a weekend to each room. Regardless,don’t stop until you have at least finished one room. It’s not a good feeling to stop in the midst of purging,and come back to a room that looks like a tornado hit it.
While you’re going through all your possessions,remember that the rule of purging is that in order to keep an item,you must find it beautiful or necessary. That means that items you had forgotten you own should be thrown out,because if they were that necessary you would have missed them. Similarly,items of sentimental value that you don’t find beautiful and want to display in a prominent position in your house must go. If you’re really struggling to part with an item,keep a small part of it or take a picture of it,but if you don’t find it beautiful,it should not stay. Pieces of art that you don’t love also need to go,along with items that were once important to you but no longer. Your home should be modern and filled with positive plans for the future,not a dusty museum that holds relics.
Once you’ve sorted through your items and eliminated what you don’t need,clean off all the areas that your remaining possessions will fill. Vacuum the carpets,sweep the floors,dust and polish your shelves. Another positive aspect of purging is that you won’t have as many knickknacks to clean around,so your cleaning routine will go much faster. Also,clean off your items before you return them to their proper area so that the whole room will be sparkling and clean by the time you’re done with it.
Finally,deal with the three separate piles of items you have made. Major charity shops like Goodwill and Salvation Army will accept almost anything except chemical-based items and large appliances. However,for almost any item in your home,there is at least one charity group that will be happy to accept it,if you just look. Garbage should be disposed of and recycled,if possible. Finally,load up the to-do box into your car and run all the errands you need to get these items either to whom they belong,or back in proper working order.
Above all else,remember that your home should be a positive environment,a place that you feel comfortable and happy,and it can’t be a relaxing space with clutter filling every crevice. You will be amazed at how much calmer you feel once you have converted your home to a simpler lifestyle.