Everyone has that one junk drawer inside their house. A junk drawer is simply that drawer often located in the kitchen that is packed with almost everything from toothpicks, scissors, lighters to rubber bands and knife cutters among other stuff. However, some folks tend to find limiting the clutter to that one drawer and sooner or later, it takes over the entire house. In this case, you find that the dining table is full of little items such as letters, pens, etc., every other single drawer turns into a ’junk’ drawer and even your closet doors can’s close because of being jam-packed. Essentially, the whole surface at home is covered with all sorts of things.

If this rings a bell, then you might be probably living in a cluttered house. Clutter simply means anything that isn’t really needed. According to Feng Shui philosophy, it is believed that wealth, health and love are created by energy that flows freely. This means that clutter doesn’t create such and typically induces feelings of anxiety, stress, and recklessness. To avoid such, you need to ensure that your home or space is decluttered and this guide should help you achieve just that. 

First things first; what are the signs of a cluttered home? 

Before beginning the decluttering process, you first have to find out if your house is really cluttered. To help you out, here are 5 things that indicate a cluttered home space:A medicine cabinet packed with expired medicine; A drawer packed with chords that you think you need and just don’t understand why; Your tables and floors feature artwork and posters; You have an old stack of letters and cards dating several years back; Throwing away your junk mail seems not right. 

These are just but a few examples of the same. If you are familiar with any of the above then there is a probability that your home is cluttered. Some of these indications might not appear to be that big of a deal, however, you need to understand that these are often signs of a much bigger problem. 

Where exactly does this clutter come from? And why is decluttering important? 

The simple fact is that all clutter emanates from indecision. The reason there is stuff lying all around your home is as simple as you can’t figure out what to do with them. You haven’t decided to take control and figure out what’s important and what’s not. It is as simple as that! Science backs up the idea that decluttering your home reduces the production of cortisol, a stress hormone. It is known that the more things you have accumulated in your living environment, the more stressful you tend to be. So, the reason one needs to declutter is as simple as you’ll get to have a clear mind and essentially enjoy your home’s company. 

Time to get to decluttering 

Decluttering of a house is one of those things that are easier said than done. Most cluttered spaces have things accumulated in them over very long periods of time hence cleaning them takes time. The first step in all this is to believe that it can be done. After that, follow this simple guide: 

The ’Hurricane List’ 

If you are ready to begin, the first and most basic thing that should be done is creating a ’hurricane list’. A hurricane list is simply a list of items you will get first if say a tornado or hurricane comes and destroys everything in your home. This list should be simple- if it’s a TV, write TV; if it’s the bed, simply indicate bed- and should be written away from home. After creating this list then go ahead and start your cleaning process. 

Schedule short bursts that can be focused on easily 

The best way to make this work is by working in short easily focused bursts. This isn’t a marathon that needs to be completed within a specified duration, you simply have to come up with a plan and stick to it. This should also help you avoid becoming overwhelmed. 

Always prioritize utility over sentiment 

Anyone that has ever cleaned a cluttered home before will absolutely confirm that sentimental items are the hardest to get rid of. This is because you have an emotional attachment towards these things. Some of them might have some kind of special meaning and ridding yourself of them might not seem like a good idea. However, when decluttering your home, you have to be perfectly able to sunder yourself from these feelings. 

The perfect way to do that is by asking yourself the questions below and being able to come up with clear answers to them-What unique thing does this item accomplish for me? Do I have any other item that can replace it? Does this very item have any sentimental meaning to me? -These questions can be applied to every single thing you own. They should help you decide whether or not you need the item. Understand that you be very happy and relieved after you make the decision. After deciding, you then have to take a very deep breath and go. Remember this won’t be easy! But it will definitely be worth it.