Once it was never a thing. Now, it is all the rage.
Decluttering is a topic that is landed and judging by the immense amount of press coverage it has received*, it is most certainly here to stay.
Gone are the days of stockpiling homes with as many belongings as possible, minimalistic design* dictates that this is not an option.
While it might receive a lot of hype (and for very good reason in a lot of cases), there are some caveats that should be issues about decluttering. Today’s column takes a look at three of the biggest myths that has arrived from the craze and corrects some crucial inaccuracies.
Myth #1 – You need to get rid of everything
One of the biggest mistakes we see when it comes to decluttering is people getting rid of everything. They buy into the process TOO MUCH.
Granted, if they were previously a so-called hoarder, we almost have to take our hats off to them. After all, going from one extreme to another is a tall ask that not everybody can achieve.
However, it doesn’t need to be this way.
Sure, get rid of items, but leave your home with some character. Don’t go from a window full of memories, to a blank space that lacks sole. Add photos, flowers* or anything else that can spark character.
If you are not using items, then by all means signal them out of the door. If you do, a little more thought needs to be invested into the process.
Myth #2 – Decluttering can be done in a weekend
OK, if you reside in an exceptionally small space, there is a small chance this might be true.
On the whole, it is just not going to happen though. This isn’t just a physically draining process, it is one that can tire you mentally as well. Quite often, you will be eliminating a lot of personal items from your life, and this can be a lot to handle.
Instead, focus on one room at a time. You can even break it down further than this. For example, rather than starting on the kitchen (which is one of the toughest rooms in a lot of cases*), perhaps turn to just three areas in the room to get started.
Myth #3 – You make quick decisions about what to get rid of
You’ve taken the plunge and invested yourself into the art of decluttering. However, one caffeine-boost later, and suddenly your home is bare. Most of your items are gone.
Some people take rash decisions, rather than shrewd ones, about what to keep and what not to keep.
This is something that can prompt huge ramifications down the line. There is a chance that you will regret some of the decisions and in turn, this can put you off decluttering in the future.
Let’s not forget that decluttering is a long game, that should be continuously done. If you start to fall foul of it, the buzz will wear off and you’ll not want to go near the D-word every again.
Resources
New Yorker: A great story showing how decluttering became the powerhouse that it is today!
Freshome: 25 brilliant examples of minimalistic design at its finest.
Avas Flowers: There are some great sources of minimalistic design using flowers on the Avas Flowers social pages. There is also an Avas Flowers coupon code here.
Good Housekeeping: There are some excellent tips on how to declutter a kitchen in this guide.
