By now, you’re aware that decluttering is about getting rid of items that don’t spark joy. Perhaps your personal space is a good way to start. It’s a place where we spend most of our time, so it should feel like a safe space and sanctuary.
It’s easy for the bedroom to get cluttered since it’s a place for work, leisure, and rest. At some point, we’ve treated it as a dump for our clothes or utility bills—leaving a big mess. Struggling to declutter your personal space? Here are some helpful tips to get you started:
Start with surface clutter
Surface clutter means items that are piled on your desk, nightstand, or bed. This includes your wallet, unread books, hair ties, or important documents. These tend to pile up, especially if they’re left unattended.
Get rid of objects from one surface before moving to the next. Remove items that you wouldn’t use or need when a situation arises. After clearing, return them to their proper storage areas. If you’re unsure about the purpose of a certain item, it’s time to set it aside.
Sort through your clothes
A pile of clothes can also be a source of clutter in your room. They can either be clean laundry that needs to be kept or dirty piles that need to be washed. Even if they’re neatly stacked in your room, they can take up too much space.
Start by putting your dirty laundry in a hamper, then schedule a “laundry day” to clear your room. On the other hand, neatly fold your clean clothes and return them to their proper storage area.
Professional organizer Vicky Silverthorn said in an interview with a housekeeping magazine to “put the clean clothes away straight away, put dirty ones in the laundry and ones being worn on a chair if you must, but only a few.”
Purge items you wouldn’t use
Looking through old items feels like looking at the props of your old self. While it’s tough to let go of them, it helps in clearing the excess clutter in your room.
Before conducting a bedroom purge, make a mental map if an item needs to be used in the future or it’s unnecessary. Take time to think about all of these items to avoid regrets.
Sort your unused items, too
Of course, the items that you’ve decluttered from your personal space need attention too. Organize your unused items into three different piles: donate, sell, or dispose.
It’s not enough to organize these items, then call it a day. You must think about the people who might benefit from this item, perhaps it’s a family member or someone who’s looking for this item online. But before doing so, double-check if they are expired or cannot be used.