Growing up, cleaning was never my strength. Ask my mother. Or my sister with whom I shared a room for 16 years. You know what, actually, don’t ask them! 😊
In the past few years, I have begun to understand how therapeutic it is to do a deep declutter once or twice a year. Studies have proven that stress levels are directly proportional to the amount of clutter in a home! It feels so good to let go – like it’s easier to breathe! Donate your things or sell them - just make sure they leave your home.
Decluttering is good for your home value too. Did you know that homes that are decluttered sell faster and for higher value? Simple clean lines make spaces look and feel bigger. But even if you are not planning on selling in the next year (***sidenote, have you had your home appraised recently? You might want to consider!***), it’s good to get ready for when the time comes so the project isn’t overwhelming.
Here’s our best tips:
Start small - set aside a 15-60 minutes each day to tackle one project.
Make sure “everything has a place and there’s a place for everything.” As new stuff comes into your home, get rid of the things you don’t need.
If you have limited space or want for your closet to feel airy, cycle your wardrobe by seasons or consider living with less. If you haven’t worn it in a year – time to donate!
Get your kids involved! If they struggle with not knowing what to give away, have them sort into three piles "yes, no, maybe." Try to have equal items in each pile. After finishing the sortation, go through the maybe pile and have the child give you a definitive yes or no. Kids like to know where their belongings are heading, so help them to choose the right charity!
Pay attention to your city's waste management announcements. Most cities in the metro host a spring clean day allowing you to throw out all sorts of old junk for free.
Something about decluttering can help you to both enjoy your space and prepare for the next space. Give your home – and your stress a break. So how about it? Let’s do some Spring Cleaning!