How to Enjoy Decluttering Your Home

A guest post by Jen Rao of Clear Your Life

It’s Saturday morning. 

You check your to-do list for the weekend. 

There it is, staring you in the face again.  

“Declutter closet! Clear out space in the living room! Tackle the garage!” 

You know you should clear clutter – but the thought of doing so sends shivers up your spine. 

It’s overwhelming.

Boring. 

Tedious. 

Plus, there’s approximately one million other things you’d rather be doing! Still, you know it needs to get done. 

But what if you could actually enjoy decluttering? 

The truth is, not everyone is born with the organizing gene. Some people have to learn how to declutter effectively and make it a fun experience. 

Why trust me on this matter?

Because I’m one of those people!

I grew up collecting a large assortment of items like porcelain masks, compact discs and anything with Spongebob Squarepants plastered on it.

Unfortunately, when I moved out on my own, I brought all of those cluttered habits with me.  After years of carting unused bins of stuff from apartment to apartment, I got serious about purging the excess from my life.

And to do so, I made sure the process was as enjoyable as possible!

Because when you create a positive experience in your decluttering sessions you will: 

• Feel less depleted and more energized
• Make better choices on what to keep and what to toss 
• Carry yourself with confidence to see the job through 
• Stay consistent which results in the success you crave

Below are 5 ways to make the process of decluttering fun, energizing and enjoyable instead of a boring chore. 

They are simple shifts that affect your mind, body and environment. When you work with positive energy, your decluttering sessions instantly become less overwhelming. 

Even if you’ve struggled with decluttering in the past, these tips will have you clearing with more fun and ease in no time!

How to enjoy decluttering

1. Get the Temperature of the Room Right

Before you start your decluttering project, pay attention to the environment around you.

I always begin sessions with my clients by opening a window to let fresh air in.

They often tell me they hadn’t thought about the effect this would have on their space. But once we do it, they immediately feel the difference!

Think about clutter that’s tough to deal with – it feels heavy, lethargic and stuck. An open window helps balance this and allows a breeze to naturally uplift your room.

Fresh air encourages the energy in the room to flow.

Overly warm rooms cause drowsiness, which negatively affect the decluttering process. You need to be alert to stay on track with your project.

So, during colder months, check the thermostat and adjust accordingly. 

The next time you declutter, pause and check if the temperature in the room is conducive to a successful session.  You’ll be amazed at the difference this makes!

“Cleaning and organizing is a practice, not a project.” – Francine Jay

2. Turn On Your Music 

Life is too serious, so why not make decluttering feel like a party? 

According to new research, “When you listen to tunes that move you, your brain releases dopamine, a chemical involved in motivation.” 

Music is such a simple way to create a positive work environment. 

My personal choice is uplifting music that I can dance to. 

I love recommending this because it shows you how powerful your choices are!  Instead of accepting that decluttering is a bore, you can make the conscious choice that it’s fun and truly enjoy decluttering. 

Choose music that brings a smile to your face. That way, if you get stressed while making purging decisions, you can keep your spirits up. 

The more you enjoy decluttering, the more your confidence will grow. And confidence is the key to letting go of excess belongings with ease. 

“Life seems to go on without effort when I am filled with music.” – George Eliot

3. Time Yourself

Can you recall an example when you were locked into a single task for too long?

Maybe your brain became foggy and you lost concentration. But you continued to work because you thought it would be more productive. 

There’s a better way though, try the Pomodoro Method.

This technique is proven to get more done in less time, which makes it a perfect match for decluttering.

To practice this method, set a timer for 25 minutes. Stay 100% focused on a single task until the timer goes off.  This means no social media, no phone calls and no distractions.

Once the 25 minutes is over, stop what you’re doing and take a timed 5-minute break. Taking a short break at the right time allows you to fill up your batteries before continuing.

You’ll be blown away at how effective this practice is, I urge you to give it a try! Check out some quick tasks you can try!

“The Pomodoro Technique teaches you to work with time, instead of struggling against it. A revolutionary time management system, it is at once deceptively simple to learn and life-changing to use.”

4. Move Your Body

Decluttering is tough on your muscles!

Bending over digging through boxes. Sitting cross legged on the floor sorting through photos.

Any time you stay in one position for too long, you create a stagnant energy in your body. This definitely makes clutter-clearing less fun.

To feel good in your body while you declutter, these mindful movements can’t be beat:

Power pose

Try this to boost your confidence when you have a tough decluttering decision to make. When you power pose, take up space, puff out your chest, raise your hands over your head.

You’re doing something life-changing.  You’re creating the home and life you’ve always dreamed of.  Stand proud! Amy Cuddy explains the science of the power pose in this video. 

Stretch

Make sure you take time to stretch your neck, shoulders, hips and legs while you declutter. Turn your head slowly from left to right.  Circle your arms and shoulders.  Grab your ankle and perform a runner’s stretch. 

These are all simple ways to keep your body feeling good while you declutter. Performing these stretches will send fresh energy throughout your body.

Shake it out and breathe deeply

This is an amazing technique to bring a new perspective and energy to your decluttering sessions. To get your blood pumping, put a big smile on your face while you jump up and down and shake your arms. 

Your mood will instantly be uplifted!

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” Jim Rohn

5. Stay Hydrated and Feed Yourself

Last but not least, let’s talk about nourishing your body while you declutter.

Have you ever noticed how focusing too much on a task means we ignore our body’s cues?

Being dehydrated can make even simple tasks feel like a chore. Your mind needs to be sharp and focused when organizing and decluttering.

The key to staying hydrated is to drink before you feel thirsty. If you wait until you notice you’re thirsty, your body will already show signs of dehydration.

So, keep a bottle of water nearby and drink often!

This also applies to staying well-fed. If you’re distracted by hunger pains, you might quit your clearing session before you’ve finished.

Have easy to eat, nutrient-dense snacks ready to grab when you’re on a timed break. Some great examples are nuts, bananas, cheese and crackers and olives.

“Your body holds deep wisdom. Trust in it. Learn from it. Nourish it. Watch your life transform and be healthy.” Bella Bleue

You Have the Power to Enjoy Decluttering

It’s true, decluttering can be hard, but I promise, it can also be fun.

Struggling through clutter clearing is often caused by a lack of confidence and a feeling of hopelessness. 

By making smart decisions to actually feel good while you declutter, you take control. This then sets you up for success. It also gets easier with practice!

You have the power to affect the energy in your home.

You have the power to create positive energy by being mindful of what your body needs.

It is possible. You CAN enjoy decluttering!

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