Decluttering Projects You Can Do in 30 Minutes or Less

You may be a busy person, juggling your career, home, and family, but you don’t need to resign yourself to living in clutter. Living in a messy home can affect your mental well-being, especially as the clutter piles up.

Banish the mess one area at a time with these decluttering projects you can do in less than 30 minutes.

Clear Off Your Bedside Table

When a messy nightstand is the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see at night, it can affect the quality of your sleep. Make your bedtime space a haven of calm and quiet by clearing away half-empty water glasses, dog-eared books, and scribbled notes.

Tackle the Junk Drawer

Do you have a drawer or cabinet in your kitchen dedicated to random junk? Set a timer for 30 minutes and go through that drawer—only that drawer. Throw away items you haven’t used in months and organize what’s left so you can see it all at a glance.

Clean Out Your Purse

Many people use their handbag or purse as a carryall, and after a few months it becomes a black hole of clutter. Take half an hour to empty out your purse and reorganize the entire bag in a way that makes sense to you. Designate space for all your essentials and throw away any trash you’ve accumulated.

Rearrange Your Spice Rack

If you spend a decent amount of time in the kitchen, you’ve probably amassed a hoard of herbs and spices for every recipe under the sun. How many of them do you really use? Are some of those spice jars getting a little old? Empty your spice rack, wipe it clean, and put back only the items you know you’ll use.

Take Stock of the Medicine Cabinet

Much like spice racks, medicine cabinets are a common repository for things you don’t often use. Empty your medicine cabinet completely and inspect each bottle. If there are expired medicines or prescriptions you no longer use, dispose of them in accordance with FDA guidelines.

Pro Tip:

Avoid flushing medicine of any kind down the toilet. Look up drug take-back programs in your area and bring your unused bottles to a place that will dispose of them safely.

You don’t need to set aside an entire weekend to declutter your living space. If you’re a busy person, banish the mess in small, manageable chunks. There are plenty of decluttering projects you can tackle in 30 minutes or less; all you need is a timer and a dose of motivation!

How To Declutter in an Environmentally Friendly Way

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When a new year quickly approaches, it is an excellent time to look around your home and think about how you can clean and declutter your space so you can start off on the right foot. There are likely many parts of your home that look cluttered, and as you go from room to room, you will see areas of improvement. Clearing clutter is important for staying organized, and it can also improve your mental health. 

When many of us begin to rid our homes of stuff we don’t need, we often think about throwing everything in the trash. However, all of that waste loads up our landfills and causes pollution, so it is essential that you find a more eco-friendly method. Today, we will talk a bit about decluttering and how to help the planet in the process.

How To Start Decluttering

Over the last few years, many of us have been spending more time at home, and in order to maintain our sanity, we need to declutter and organize our living spaces so that everything has its place. When our house is messy, it is not only a pain to get around, but subconsciously, we also feel like we are losing control of our lives, and that isn’t good for our family life. Clutter can also make you less productive if you work from home. 

Some people quit before they even start because they feel like there is too much to do and that the mess will never go away. However, all you need to do is take it one room at a time. As you go to each new room, look at the items stored there and target the items that you have not touched or used in the last year. The chances are good that if you haven’t used a particular item in a long time, you probably won’t use it again.

Put all of those items in separate piles for donation, trash, and recycling. 

You can make a lot of headway by looking through your closet. Again, think about what hasn’t moved in the last year. If you haven’t worn it during the last four seasons, then you probably won’t again. Do the same process for your shoes and accessories. 

Properly Disposing of Items

While we have grown accustomed to throwing items in the trash that we no longer need, it is important to be judicious about what you toss in the trash. When we load up the landfills, the garbage just tends to sit there. When this happens, garbage can leak into the soil and waterways, polluting our lakes and oceans — a reminder of why responsible waste management is essential to protecting both our environment and our food and water sources. Also, when the garbage just stays in place, it also creates and emits greenhouse gasses that further contribute to climate change.

That is why you must pay close attention to what should be thrown in the trash and what you should recycle. By recycling, we get a chance to reuse those substances to make something new, and it doesn't hurt the environment. There are many things that you may find while decluttering that you didn’t realize could be recycled, including music CDs, DVDs, and ink cartridges, among other items. 

If you are not sure what you should throw away and what to recycle, then get some help. You can contact a junk removal company that will ensure that your trash is sent to the right place or to your specifications. Just be sure to research them ahead of time to verify that they are licensed and insured and that they provide the services that you need.  

Many people use this time to clear out their filing cabinets of all of the old paperwork that they no longer need. It is essential that you do not just throw the documents into the recycling bin. If you do, then criminals can find it and use the sensitive data to commit crimes like taking out fraudulent loans or setting up phishing scams. Instead, you need to shred everything so it cannot be used after the fact. Keep in mind that it is not wise to throw the shredded paper into the recycling bin because it is too small and cannot be filtered out correctly at the recycling center — and may still end up in the landfill. 

Declutter By Giving to Others

When you are clearing out your house, instead of throwing everything away, think about what you can donate. If we all bought our clothing and electronics from donation centers then we would eliminate the need for factories to spew pollution into the air while making brand-new products. By bringing your stuff to the Salvation Army or Goodwill, you allow other people to continue to use what you no longer need, and you’ll be doing a great favor for the environment.

Keep in mind that there are many different companies and organizations that take unique donations. For example, you can bring your old or worn sneakers to Soles4Souls, who will give those shoes to children in need. If you have old mattresses, then you can contact IKEA’s recycling service and they will help haul them away. You can even donate your old underwear to Knickey. When in doubt, look online for a program that can help with your donation needs.

Finally, think about how you can reduce your purchasing needs, so you have less clutter in the first place. You can shop more consciously by purchasing used items, and if you do buy something, have a plan for how you will dispose of it in the future. Also, think about what you can pass down from generation to generation, like kids’ clothes and toys, so you eliminate the need to discard them altogether.

As you can see, there are many ways that you can clean your home and declutter without hurting the planet in the process. Consider these tips, and start the new year off on the right foot.

Items in Your Home You Need To Check on Regularly

To be a responsible homeowner, you can’t simply live in your home—you must maintain it regularly. Some parts of your home require more frequent checkups, but other parts can go neglected for years that, in reality, need more regular checks. By checking on everything and ensuring it is well maintained, you keep all parts of your home in working order so nothing can surprise you later. Continue reading as we discuss the different items in your home you need to check on regularly.

The Backyard

The backyard, or yard in general, is an area people often take for granted but don’t care for properly. You may mow regularly or have lawn people come and do their regular work, but you should still get out there and look for anything out of the ordinary. Pests are a common disturbance many find in and around their homes, and by checking your yard regularly, you can start to notice signs and potentially act before it spirals out of control.

In addition to looking for signs of pests, keep your yard clean. Mowing regularly is good, but you should also get rid of leaves or move them to a compost pile, then do the same with fallen tree branches. If you throw all this debris away or keep it isolated in one area far from your home, you should be relatively safe from pests.

Your Car

While this item may not be a part of your home, it’s still something you park at your home and use almost daily. A well-maintained car can drive for years with few issues, but if you take it for granted, you will encounter some issues that lower its value and life span. For example, if you have a Toyota and you’re not regularly checking its battery and ensuring it’s in the best condition, you may end up stranded with a car that won’t start. A dead battery is just one of the reasons your Toyota won’t start, but there are things you can do. Keep an eye and an ear out for anything out of the ordinary with your car, keep your fluids topped off, and don’t drive recklessly. All these things will help keep your car in good shape for years to come.

Heating and Cooling

It’s hard not to think about this system in your home, but many people don’t need to pay too much attention to their systems. They’re able to keep the windows open and keep their system off much of the time because they don’t necessarily need it, and they want to save money on their electrical bill. The principle there is sound, but things can change as soon as the extremely cold and hot months roll around. Check on your AC and heating system periodically throughout the year so you don’t end up in a winter storm with a heating unit that doesn’t work!

Check on these items in your home regularly if you want to keep your home in top condition and prevent anything from disrupting that later. A small bit of maintenance every week or month can keep things in working order for years.

How Being Organized Can Improve Mental Health

Life can be messy sometimes - maybe you have a newborn baby, or you have a project that seems to be consuming all your time. It's natural to have moments where you won't be able to prioritize organizing your surroundings, thoughts, or plans. 

However, when the clutter begins to affect your mood and causes you to feel anxious, burnt-out, or depressed, it may be a sign that your mental well-being is suffering.

With so many technological advancements in our current world, we now also have to keep our digital lives organized. Some people may find it stressful to have an overflowing email inbox or a phone filled with unorganized apps. Your brain associates clutter with unfinished business, so you may notice your stress levels rising when your surroundings are messier than normal. 

What Are the Mental Health Benefits of an Organized Surrounding?

Research has found that cleaning and decluttering have many positive effects on your mental health. Cleaning also helps to provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Here are some of the main benefits:

• Your house will look clean. The more messy your surroundings are, the more your brain will have to process, which leads to a constant reminder of how much lingering work you have after you complete your task at hand. Having a clean and tidy space allows you to focus on your current task, without distractions.

• Increased productivity. People are less distracted and more productive in a clean environment and organized workspace. Since clutter limits your brain's ability to focus on a particular task, you may feel irritated that you aren't as productive as usual.

• Peace of mind. A home is often a place of safety and calmness from the chaos of our everyday lives. However, when you come home to a chaotic space, you're not going to feel as relaxed. Having an organized home is a surefire method of bringing peace of your mind, which helps you unwind after long days.

• Improve sleep. As previously mentioned, your brain associates clutter with unfinished business. So, if your bedroom isn't tidy before sleeping, you're creating a less peaceful environment where your brain isn't able to completely shut off before sleeping. Furthermore, lack of sleep directly affects your mental health. The more restless nights you have, the higher the impact will be on your well-being.

• Reduced anxiety and stress. People often feel that cleaning allows them to take control of their environments, which helps to create a more calming space.

• Saves time. Have you been in a situation where you needed something urgently, and looked for it where you thought you had left it, only to come up empty? Looking for an item you once saw becomes increasingly difficult as it gets buried under clutter. If you keep a tidy home, you'll be able to easily find things in your home and won't have to spend time searching.

Tips on Getting Organized

Even after learning the benefits of getting organized, it can be difficult to know where to start. We'll discuss some of our best tips to get your mental health back on track!

Start Small

Rome wasn't built in one day, and neither will your organizational skills. If decluttering every part of your life seems too overwhelming, then don't focus on the big picture. Give yourself time to get into the swing of things, and start by organizing one area a day. If you set manageable goals, you'll likely succeed in getting organized. Consider starting with something as small as a bookshelf, and work your way around the room when you're ready.

Set a Timer

It may be helpful to schedule a set timer while cleaning. Try setting a timer for 15 minutes to clean that bookshelf. Once you complete your first cleaning task, you'll see that you were capable of successfully finishing it, and will be more prone to clean again.

Let Go of What You Don't Need

When you're overwhelmed or anxious, it can be difficult to think clearly and see through the mental clutter. A helpful tip is to let go or donate what you no longer need. 

Olivia Parks of Professional Organizer SF says, "An organized home starts with fewer things. Although a tedious process, this is possibly the most important step in organizing a home and keeping it organized. Clients see the most change in their home when they work together to remove unused and unwanted items”. 

Ask yourself these questions while sorting out your items:

• When was the last time I used this item?

• Would it impact my daily life if I no longer owned this item?

• Could someone else find benefit from gaining this item?

• Is this item adding any value to my life right now?

If it's not easy to get rid of your items, try donating them to a helpful cause, or a friend or family member in need. Gifting a functional present to someone who will use your item more than you is a great way to declutter.

Hire a Professional

If you have the budget to hire someone to help you organize your space, then give it a try. Outsourcing is a wonderful way to free up your time and allow you to focus on more important projects in your life.

Final Thoughts

Being organized doesn't always have to be a burden. If you turn cleaning into a daily, weekly, or even monthly routine, it will no longer feel overwhelming. Once you have a decluttered space, let yourself truly enjoy it and reap the benefits of your improved mental well-being.