DeclutteringLet’s face it, if I enjoyed decluttering my house never would’ve become cluttered in the first place.
Despite my love for making lists, I’m just not one of those born organized personalities.
Dorothy Parker once said that she hated writing but loved having written, and that perfectly sums up how I feel about housework. I hate decluttering and cleaning, but I love how my home looks and feels when it’s finally done.
Because decluttering isn’t something that I find enjoyable, I’ve come up with some simple tricks to make it a little more fun.
Listen to Music
Listening to great music that keeps me energized and moving is my favorite trick for enjoying unavoidable drudgery. You can create a special playlist or turn on your favorite radio station, whatever will make you want to sing and dance so you can be entertained while working.
Set the Mood
Can you tell I have Valentine’s Day on my mind? Well this isn’t about setting a romantic mood as much as a clean house mood. Personally, when I think of a clean, happy home, I think of a home that smells great.
To quickly create a new atmosphere in my home, I’ll usually light a candle, but I’ve also diffused essential oils, turned on my Scentsy burner, or boiled citrus and spices on the stove. Having a fresh, clean scent in the air motivates me to make my surroundings match by being clean and organized.
Fresh Air
I love opening windows to have a fresh breeze blowing through the house. It’s hard for me to stay on the couch and surrounded by junk when fresh air’s making its way inside. Unfortunately, right now the weather doesn’t really permit me to do this, but those of you in warmer climates could definitely open some windows and enjoy.
Lots of Light
A dark home makes me want to curl up with a good book, watch tv, or take a nap (all things I’d rather do anyway!) so lots of light is a necessity to get and keep me moving. When I want to get a lot done, one of my first steps I take is to open all of our curtains and turn on as many lights as possible. The lighter and brighter the house is, the more junk I can see, and the more I want to take care of it all.
Short Bursts
I tend to have an all or nothing kind of personality. I have a bad habit of underestimating how long projects will take and overestimated how much can be accomplished in a certain amount of time. As a result, I sometimes create overly ambitious to do lists and feel discouraged when I don’t complete everything.
To combat this bad habit, I’ve started setting a timer. Instead of having a set number of tasks I have to complete (which can sometimes cause me to work hours upon hours, and end up burning myself out), I’ll set a timer and just resolve to work until it goes off. How long I set it just depends on how much time I have, but I rarely set it for longer than 45-60 minutes. I usually set it for 15-30 minute increments and then give myself a break. When I’m focused on working nonstop for a short amount of time, I tend to feel happier and more accomplished than when I focus on crossing off individual tasks.
These are my little tricks for making decluttering more enjoyable, but I’d love to hear what you do. I’m always looking for great ideas! What’s your favorite way to make decluttering fun?
M.
atGreat list! I find that I always get focused on the task at hand whenever I plug in my earphones to some music. Not sure why that is, but I just know I’m so much more productive that way. ~M.
http://planq-studio.com/
Brittany
atThis is just what I need to get me moving on some new years resolutions! You should see a few of my closets! Craft closet… Thanks for the motivation!
Emily
atI’m glad to hear it! Trust me, you’ll feel much better about your closets after I share mine.
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet
atThese are GREAT tips, girlfriend! I find that short bursts and making it a dance party with music helps me; I’m going to have to open the windows and burn a candle next time, too! Of course, I had to pin this gem. I need all the help I can get when it comes to decluttering and tidying up. Hugs!
Emily
atThanks, Lauren! Though I have to say, from seeing pics of your house I have a feeling you’ve got organizing down 😉 I hope you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.
Ginger
atI’m a procrastinator to the max. And – I also plan more tasks than I can or will possibly do. I read an article about “Smashing Procrastination”. I have 7 take-aways from the article:
1. Decide – in advance – when you will do it.
2. Make it a habit.
3. Pretend you’re not going to do it – just going to prep, get supplies together.
4. Accept that it’ll never be perfect.
5. Break it down into steps.
6. Sprint against the task. Use a timer.
7. Put yourself on the line with a public commitment.
Pretending to just prep for a task – usually gets me started. Or – I’ll tell myself to just do Step 1 – or to work for only 15 minutes. Sometimes doing 15 on and 15 off (break).
I keep a note on my phone of these 7 steps. When I feel myself procrastinating – I try to remember to revisit this note for inspiration. It helps.
Emily
atThose are GREAT tips! I’m working on a post about forcing a deadline by scheduling a party or something because, as a master procrastinator myself, I know it’s a great way to hold myself accountable and get things done. Thanks for sharing, Ginger!
Ginger
atYes! We especially love opening up the blinds and putting on some good music. It makes tidying SOOO much more enjoyable. Thanks for linking up to Show Me Saturday.
Emily
atI’m always amazed by how much more energized I feel from those simple changes. Thanks for hosting and visiting, Ginger!
Katherines Corner
atGreat tips and thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. xo
P.S. pinned to my organize it board
Emily
atThanks, Katherine!
Barbara Bianchi
atHi, I found you on the Inspiration Monday link up and I’m glad I did. This is just what I needed to read to get on task for the beginning of the week. I especially like the idea of short bursts. Now, to get to work. 🙂
Emily
atGood luck! I hope you’re able to get a bunch of stuff done. I’d love to see pics if you have time to share 🙂
Kathy
atGreat list! Music and good lighting always get me in the mood. Thanks for linking up to The Creative Circle. Hope to see you again this week. 😉
Brandi Clevinger
atAll of your tips are perfect for those of us with fibromyalgia. I must remember this list to reference when I do a post on how to do chores.
I found your post at Inspire Me Mondays.
Emily
atI didn’t even think of that, Brandi. Thanks!
Amber Kristine
atI love this! Any kind of decluttering or cleaning can just be the worst of tasks. But turning on music definitely helps! It’s what I do and I hate all that stuff. Well, other than the smells hehe 🙂
Emily
atThe worst… I can’t argue with that lol.
Suzie@homemaker-mom
atI love delcuttering so freeing. I am in the mist of a major declutter now to live life simpler in 2015! Found you via Motivate me Monday & now following.
Debbie W.
atGreat tips. Thanks for sharing. I use a timer too, but need to get away from those lists that don’t get accomplished.
Chelc | Inside the Fox Den
atThese are some great ideas! I’m definitely looking forward to spring cleaning now!
Jann Olson
atI actually have always loved organizing and decluttering. You shared some great tips! One I heard once that was kind of fun is to set the timer and see how long it takes you to do a chore. Then see if you are any faster the second time. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Emily
atThat is a good one, Jann! I’ve used it with my kids, and they like racing to get it done quickly. Whatever it takes to get the room clean! 🙂
Lisa @ Fun Money Finds
atGreat tips…now I just need to get started!
Emily
atStarting’s the hardest part, isn’t it!
erica
atThank you so much for the tips! We amidst a HUGE declutter and stuff purge from our home. Glad I found you on the Wednesday Roundup!
Emily
atYou’re so welcome! I hope they’re helpful 🙂
Nicole
atThose are great tips. I’m very interested in the topic of decluttering and simplifying.
Angela, blue i style
atThese are such useful tips! Very well thought out! Thanks for linking up at The Creative Circle! I hope you’ll join us again this week!
Emily
atThanks, Angela! I’m loving your new party 🙂
Brittany
atPinned this! Hoping it helps in the weeks ahead when I want to declutter. Up first Pantry!
Emily
atGood luck! We haven’t tackled the kitchen yet so feel free to come back and share some tips with us. We’d love to hear them.
Emily
atI completely agree with the fresh air! It’s about 0 degrees here now…but I will still open a window on occasion. It may be only for a minute as I don’t want to kill our heating costs, but it’s nice! I’m also a short burst kind of gal. 😉
Emily
atHere too! It’s so cold, but it is nice to get a little blast of fresh air through the house, especially when we’re having cabin fever.
Lydia @ Thrifty Frugal Mom
atUgh, I hate decluttering! Well, actually, I like the results but really don’t enjoy the process. Your tips are so good! And really, I think they are appropriate for almost any disliked job!
Emily
atYou’re so right! A lot of these would make any unpleasant task more enjoyable. 🙂
Samantha
atThese are great tips! We have had some leaks this past week so I was kinda forced into decluttering and cleaning out our storage area! Thanks for sharing at Weekend Wind-Down Party!
Emily
atOh no! I hope nothing was ruined. I’d be in serious trouble if we got a leak in our storage room. Thanks for hosting!
CJ Huang
atI’m kinda like you in that I don’t like cleaning, but I like a clean home. Maybe I’ll have to use some of your tips!
Emily
atI hope they’re helpful! Cleaning definitely isn’t fun to me, but the results are worth it.
Barb @ A Life in Balance
atThank you for contributing to Motivation Monday!
Mila
atYes to all these tips (fresh air weather permitting:)).
I also want to add that giving yourself a reward/treat once the task is completed is a great motivator!
Emily
atExcellent idea and so true!
Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods
atMusic and short burst of decluttering are so important! Who wants to clean all day without music?
Love the list! I’m featuring this post this weekend on Show Me Saturday! Can’t wait to see what you share again this weekend!
Emily
atNot me! 🙂
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai
atI like to listen to audiobooks while I work. I find I’ll work just a little longer so I can get to a good stopping point in the story. LOL Please come share your blog posts over at the Home Matters Linky Party! We’d love to have you for a visit. The Door is OPEN. http://lifewithlorelai.com/2015/02/26/home-matters-linky-party-26/ 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Emily
atI need to do that! I’ve never really listened to audiobooks, but that would be a great way to keep myself motivated to work. Thanks for the great idea, Lorelai!
Meadow
atI usually wait until I am in a decluttering kinda mood. Some days I just don’t want to, and that’s ok. I suppose if you never feel like decluttering, you’re going to have to suck it up at some point, though. I like to do short bursts as well and start with really easy stuff like throwing out expired stuff from the fridge, and that often motivates me to do more.
Emily
atYeah, waiting for the mood to strike is what’s gotten me in this mess in the first place lol. It rarely ever comes.
nancy carlson
atGreat tips, all. Here I sit, with the blinds drawn, no sound but that of the laptop humming. It’s white noise that lulls me into complancency…
The thing I find most difficult to overcome is being uncomfortable. I’m cheap, and don’t turn up the heat from the 66 we turn it down to at night. Then I’m cold. So I don’t move because I’m stiff.
Setting the thermostat to a comfortable temperature is critical for those of us who are tactile sensitive! So, I will now get up and turn up the heat so I can go tackle the ‘craft’ (storage) room. Thanks for the impetus!
Sinea Pies
atLove this list. Simple. Effective!
I am the same way … darkness means SLEEP, lazy, inactive. I need LIGHT when I clean…and good background music or something to listen to that motivates me.
Hey, come on by my blog to share this at my party this week?
We go live Tuesday evenings 7pm EDT.
Melissa French, The More With Less Mom
atA good 80s dance mix makes all the difference. Thanks for posting. Hello from Busy Monday.
jessica simmons
atSo I really enjoyed reading this. I also hate the process of decluttering. I am going through getting ready to move at the moment and getting everything cleaned out and cleared out is nerve wrecking! New Follower!
Nicole
atAll of the above! i actually do all these things. Actually I have to clean in short bursts because I have back problems. Sometimes its a good thing, forces me to reevaluate as I go but also sometimes it can be a drag because although I take a break, my mind does not! Also I have really been learning the value of making sure everything has a home. I know this is a “duh” but things dont get left out to begin with if they have a space. And if they do, its easier to clean up. I find that I can get stalled or loose steam if I have something that I dont know where I should put it. But thanks to Jen@ I Heart Organizing (the reason I found your blog!) and all the other wonderful people in blogland that take the time to show us how its done, I am far more organized these days. Oh and the Target Dollar Spot, ofcourse.
Emily
atI’m so glad you found me, Nicole! 🙂 I’m still working on making sure my things have a home. It really does make it easier to take care of stuff!
Sweet
atThank you Emily for sharing this. These are amazing tips.
Emily
atThanks! 🙂
Kathy
atThe timer works great for me – I reset it if I’m on a roll and if not, I know I did my planned 1 hour!
robin
atVery ill and live in a small apartment the counters are full and tables paper books and when I got rid of things wish I didn’t and don’t have any help it doesn’t work like that in real life
Colette
atWhen i am determined to clean up, clear out, wipe down and polish, I have to start as soon as I wake up(sometimes i feel too bad to even get started.. i take advantage when i can.. )Get up and get the bed made. Get dressed including socks and shoes. I start music and put my phone somewhere I won’t be tempted and just keep going. As long as I can. Sometimes I mom clean… I feel like although the 87 things I put away, cleaned out, straightened up and threw out might not be in the same place, it’s still 87 less things needing attention. I also try to only touch items once. If you’re picking it up to put it away, put it all the way away. These are the most effective things I can do to keep moving, sometimes even those little steps are a LOT.
Emily
atIsn’t it amazing what a difference something as simple as making the bed can make! Those are great tips! Thanks for sharing, Colette 🙂