15 guilt-free ways to declutter your place

You may have an ugly picture frame, a broken statue or an old-fashioned knick-knack sitting in the bookcase. You don’t like these objects, but you keep them because they come from relatives. Reason with yourself and understand that it’s the object you’re throwing away, not the person. What’s more, you can be sure that this person will understand perfectly.

Ridding your home of useless and cumbersome objects can be easy if you’re motivated by generosity. Just think how many people have space in their homes and would love to receive that old chair, that pedestal table blocking your hall or those clothes you no longer wear.

There’s a philosophy that consists in focusing only on the essentials to make the most of them. It’s called minimalism and, once adopted as a way of life, it enables us to make do with little and to clear our minds and spaces of all superfluous objects. Minimalism also reduces the mental load.

Before you think about decluttering, think about stopping accumulating objects. To do this, set a simple rule: if something comes into your home, something else must go out, preferably of the same size and use. It’s an unstoppable method that can work wonders.

Decluttering a house can be a very tedious task, as it requires a lot of thought, but also emotional courage. To make the task easier, you can go step by step, decluttering room by room or even object by object. One discarded item a day, for example, is an excellent start!

You also need to understand that as you move through life, each age has its own objects and decorations. So it’s easy to get rid of your teenage posters, those old sneakers you don’t wear any more, or that 70s decor. Make room for your present life!

Use the KonMari method and its many tricks, such as methodical sorting by category and utility, respect for each object, vertical storage or the careful folding of clothes and use of boxes. This tried-and-tested method is used by millions of people around the world.

Decluttering is a complex task that needs follow-up. You can do this by keeping a decluttering diary, in which you note which items to keep, which to throw away and which you’re still unsure about. You can also write down your impressions and feelings about each item. By doing so, you’ll become clearer and more efficient.

If you’re having trouble getting started, you can motivate yourself by telling yourself that decluttering will mean you’ll have far fewer items to store and clean, and your home will be easier to maintain. Think of the time and energy you’ll save.

The hardest part of decluttering your home is getting rid of objects to which you are attached. To overcome this difficulty, ask a friend who has no emotional ties to these objects and who will be able to judge objectively the usefulness of each one. If he agrees to help you, ask him to be as objective and ruthless as possible!

If you find it hard to throw away items that you know you don’t need, but are emotionally attached to, you can take photos of them. Keeping these memories may make it easier for you to throw them away. Think of it as a transitional aid to get you started in the right way.

When you throw away items you’ve owned for years, you’ll feel a twinge of sadness and even emotional pain. These feelings are normal, but you must accept them and move beyond them, because you simply have no choice.

These days, anything can be recycled. This is your chance to give new life to your old clutter. Don’t hesitate to donate them to recycling centers or even to artists who can turn them into even more beautiful objects. That way, you’ll have fewer regrets.

Before throwing away the items you want to get rid of, consider selling them at a garage sale. By doing so, you’ll earn a bit of money while pleasing future buyers. You’ll feel less remorse and your items won’t be lost for nothing.

Many people find it hard to throw things away, because they are linked to travels, encounters or significant events. Tell yourself that these objects don’t add anything, and that the real memories are in your head, and nothing can take them away from you.