{"id":120162,"date":"2023-02-07T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-07T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bemorewithless.com\/?p=120162"},"modified":"2023-07-09T14:22:20","modified_gmt":"2023-07-09T20:22:20","slug":"declutter-for-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bemorewithless.com\/declutter-for-life\/","title":{"rendered":"52 Things To Declutter From Your Life Today"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sometimes instead of a long list of why to declutter or decluttering techniques, you just need a straightforward list of things to declutter. While decluttering can feel like an impossible task, sometimes a big glass of water, a fun, let-it-go playlist<\/a> and a very specific list of things to declutter can get things started with more fun and ease. Start by decluttering some of these 52 items and consider what else you want to let go of to create a happier life with less stress<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The best part about a list of things to declutter is that it removes most of the decisions you have to make. If you get stuck with decisions about what to do with the stuff you declutter, simply box it up and get it out of sight for now. Slow progress is still progress.<\/p>\n

You get the water, I’ll give you the list!<\/p>\n

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Declutter These 52 Things From Your Life Today<\/h2>\n

If you want to enjoy your favorite things, only own your favorite things. The LA Times has reported that the average American home contains more than 300,000 items. It’s impossible to have 300,000 favorite things! This list of things to declutter starts with easier things and ends with more complicated things to declutter. If this isn’t enough, check out this list of 120 things to declutter<\/a> when you finish.<\/p>\n

If you feel stuck<\/a>, stop thinking about what you are getting rid of and instead consider what you are making space for. Make space for laughing, resting and connecting. Make space to show up for your life. Make space for what matters to you.<\/p>\n

When you aren’t sure what to do with the stuff you are decluttering and wonder if you should donate it or sell it, make a rule. For instance sell anything worth more than $100 and donate anything else.<\/p>\n

Turn these 52+ items into a decluttering checklist when you feel clutter creeping back in.<\/h2>\n

It’s so interesting and frustrating how clutter can sneak up on us. From belts we don’t use to tupperware, condiments and take out menus we never use to old computers and their cords, phone boxes, magnets and manuals, stuff always seems to be building up.<\/p>\n

Even though I decluttered a big house and downsized to a space that was \u00bd the size and stopped bringing extra things in, I’m still surprised by clutter. When I walk in my laundry room and find towels I never use, or extra things that I bought as back up for the pantry that never get used, I remember the saying, out of sight, out of mind. Now, before I buy anything new, I ask, Do I really need more things to declutter?<\/p>\n

Start by decluttering duplicates and extras (especially in the closet and kitchen).<\/h3>\n

You always use your favorites, but still have extras for a variety of reasons. You bought it on sale. You are holding on \u201cjust in case\u201d or someone gave it to you. P.S. We may have to stop giving each other coffee cups! Or maybe you just thought (see #41) you were \u201csupposed\u201d to have more. You get to determine how much is enough for you, maybe it’s one or none or less or more.<\/p>\n

1. coffee cups and water bottles
\n2. measuring cups & spoons
\n3. wooden spoons & wire whisks
\n4. random lids and containers that don’t match
\n5. the same shirt in different colors
\n6. handbags (yep, I went there)
\n7. sunglasses
\n8. beauty products<\/p>\n

These are some of the easiest things to accumulate and because we use some of them, we don’t always think they fall under the category of things to declutter. If you are wondering how to declutter when you are overwhelmed, I recommend starting with these items because we often have more than we need. If you feel nervous about letting go right away, remove the items for a few weeks and see if you miss them or if you enjoy the new space more.<\/p>\n

Declutter things that make you feel bad<\/h3>\n

If you want to feel good, stop surrounding yourself with things that make you feel bad. We hold a lot of emotions in our stuff so if there is stuff hanging around that makes you feel bad or sad, you get subtle reminders all day long. You’ll feel lighter with less of the bad stuff.<\/p>\n

9. sentimental items that remind you of things you don\u2019t want to remember
\n10. mean things people said about you
\n11. old journals from a hard time
\n12. the news<\/a>
\n13. clothes you spent too much money on<\/p>\n

Sometimes these items can be hard to let go of even though you know they make you feel bad. If you struggle here, consider an experiment or challenge around the items you are working on. For instance, if you aren’t sure if the news makes you feel bad, remove it for a week and see if you feel better. If you don’t want to let go all the way, consider an email digest like The Skimm<\/a> so you can get a brief daily overview instead of non-stop breaking news.<\/p>\n

With clothes or other items you spent a lot of money on, consider that you’ve already gotten your money’s worth AND that you have paid enough. Why continue to pay for the item with time, space, energy and emotion. Let go instead.<\/p>\n

The next list of things to declutter includes the stuff you don’t use.<\/h3>\n

If you are holding on thinking, “it’s not hurting anything,” reframe and ask yourself how it’s helping and contributing to your life. If it’s not, you don’t have room for it. With everything that is vying for our attention, there simply isn’t room to hold everything … not in home, not in drawer and not in a life.<\/p>\n

14. random spices and sauces
\n15. uncomfortable shoes
\n16. old makeup and other beauty supplies
\n17. clothes that don\u2019t fit your body or your lifestyle
\n18. empty frames and other containers
\n19. exercise equipment
\n20. outdated hobby stuff
\n21. books<\/a> you’ve already read or never plan on reading
\n22. junk drawer things (or the whole thing)
\n23. knick-knacks
\n24. freebies (when you bought things you didn’t need to get things you didn’t want)
\n25. gifts (yes, if you don’t want them, you are welcome to let them go)<\/p>\n

This category sounds easier but these are things that build up because they come into your home with little resistance and then they decide to live there forever. That is until you say, “enough.” Once you thoughtfully remove these items, you’ll notice their red flags before you bring them back moving forward.<\/p>\n

Declutter the digital things too.<\/h3>\n

You don’t have to save it all. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. The stuff we can’t see like digital things to declutter is still taking up space in our lives. Clear it out and spend less time on your phone<\/a> (so you have more time in your life).<\/p>\n

26. podcasts you don’t listen to
\n27. music you don’t enjoy
\n28. documents you saved and never access
\n29. email you don’t need
\n30. subscriptions you aren’t using
\n31. people on social media you don’t want to follow anymore
\n32. apps that drain your time and energy
\n33. social media platforms you don’t enjoy or care about<\/p>\n

Before my big home decluttering, I had two filing cabinets. I carefully stored everything I could think of. I saved pay stubs, receipts, recipes, checklists, manuals from small appliances, sheets of paper from old notebooks and journals, cards and letters and more. When I decided to clean out the filing cabinets, I realized I had rarely looked at any of the saved things. I never used them. I did not need them. I try to approach the things I’m saving digitally with the same lens and I before I “save” instead of “trash” I ask, will I ever look at this again? Usually, the answer is no.<\/p>\n

Declutter photos and paper.<\/h3>\n

With paper and photos, it’s not about getting organized. It’s about saving less. If the piles keep growing, ask these two simple questions<\/a>. Most of these things to declutter are things that feel important but also things you never go back to.<\/p>\n

34. photos that are duplicates or similar to others from the same event
\n35. blurry photos
\n36. photos of things you don’t remember or don’t want to remember
\n36. coupons or mailers you aren\u2019t using
\n37. bills, statements and receipts you can get online
\n38. old newspapers and magazines
\n39. children’s artwork<\/a> and homework (save some but not all)
\n40. anything you\u2019ve ever ripped out of old magazines<\/p>\n

Saving photos and paper has become a secret hoarding project for most of us. How many photos do we need on our phones? How many photos do we need of our cats? This story<\/a> of what I did with photos of my grandparents helps me remember that when everything is important, nothing is.<\/p>\n

When you are ready make space in your heart, soul and mind.<\/h3>\n

This is the clutter you can’t see. It’s the hard stuff, the stuff that’s holding you back. And it’s yours to let go of when you are ready. It’s probably the hardest things on this list of things to declutter and probably makes the biggest difference when you let go. It is going to take some time so don’t expect to drop it all overnight. Give yourself lots of grace as you move through these items slowly and gently.<\/p>\n

41. believing everything you think
\n42. other people’s opinions
\n43. alcohol<\/a>
\n44. apologizing for things you don’t need to be sorry for
\n45. being normal<\/a>
\n46. perfection
\n47. comparison
\n48. old goals and expectations
\n49. diet culture<\/a>
\n50. guilt
\n51. the past
\n52. anything that keeps you up at night (except your kids, pets, partners)<\/p>\n

You may not have to declutter all of these things. Some of these things to declutter may not be an issue for you or maybe you already removed them. Simply remove the things that remove you from your life. Do what is best for you.<\/p>\n

Other decluttering challenges to help you enjoy letting go of things:<\/h3>\n