After the joyous occasion that is the holiday season, it’s easy for our homes and lives to become a bit cluttered and scattered. We may be so wrapped up in the spirit of giving and receiving that it can be difficult to remember that our homes may have become overwhelmed during this time. With the pandemic, supplies and food have been stocked up while we’ve braced for the unknown. Perhaps you have realized your freezer is full of food you never had time to eat, or your closet is towering with items you stocked in preparation for another month at home. Our homes have become sanctuaries during the last year while dealing with the pandemic, and it’s important to keep this safe space clean, tidy, and welcoming to help us, the inhabitants, stay calm as well.
It’s time to take a deep breath and understand that we do not need to hoard to survive this strange period of life we’re living. We have enough, and it’s time to declutter!
Gifting Items Away
If you find yourself with too many items cluttering up your home, but you cannot find it in you to discard them, offer the items to a friend or family member as a gift. Perhaps you’ve seen this person eyeing one of these items or complimenting you on how beautiful it is. If so, offer it to them as a birthday or holiday gift, tell them you would love to see it stay in your inner circle, and that you hope they enjoy it as much as you did. The act of gift giving is a universal way of showing gratitude and appreciation, and it helps to strengthen bonds.
Pretend You’re Moving
This may sound silly, but there’s no better time to declutter than when you’re moving to a new home, right? It forces you to confront the number of items you’ve accumulated over the years and even helps you discover parts of your home that you’ve neglected over time. Odds are if you have lived in your home for many years, it’s bound to become cluttered. Start by pretending to pack up one room and allowing yourself to consider the items that you could easily part with. Place them into a pile to be donated, gifted, or discarded. The bonus part of this exercise is that you can redecorate the room after and provide your home with a new look. The space will feel reborn, and a clean slate will lay before you in your new home!
Bury Sentimental Items
Have you inherited items from your parents or family members that you cannot bring yourself to throw away or donate? Have you considered creating a time capsule of these items and burying them in your backyard? Time capsules can last anywhere from 25 to 150 years, depending on the box they are placed in and the type of environment they will be buried in. The fun part of burying a time capsule of items from your past is that you can choose to unbury it in the future and reminisce on the memories associated with the items. Another fun aspect is that you may forget about the time capsule and someone else may discover it in the future. They will get a glimpse into the former homeowner’s life and may even return these items to your descendants, who will enjoy the unexpected journey into the past.
Hold an Estate Sale
This is the most conventional method for decluttering your home while also making some extra cash. First, you must gather the belongings inside your home that aren’t relevant to your life anymore, and place a value upon them. Once you’ve managed to identify all of the items that need to leave your home, then you can host an estate sale, where people can drop by and purchase the items. You will typically need to advertise the sale somehow, to garner attention and potential buyers. Then, be ready to answer lots of questions about the items, and hope for the best!