4 Ways to Prevent Cluttering Before It Starts

De-cluttering is one thing, preventing clutter is another. Even though there are many ways to get rid of the clutter in your home, it is still best that you prevent this problem even before it starts. Don’t wait for items to fill up your home before you do something about it. Here are some of the ways to prevent clutter before it starts.

Step 1 – Stop Buying Things

The primary step in clutter prevention is to stop buying things that you do not need. It is okay to purchase necessities and important items, but put an end to unwise shopping activities. Do not buy impractical things just because they are on sale. Don’t succumb to impulse buying just because you find a piece of item attractive or irresistible. Don’t purchase items that you don’t need or you think you will use in the future. Don’t buy if you can borrow or rent certain equipment or gadgets. When going out shopping, always bring a well planned shopping list that details all the things that you need so you don’t end up spending more than what you originally planned. This will not only prevent clutter in your home but also keep your pockets happy.

Step 2 – Remove the Pack Rat in you

The term pack rat is derived from the bushy-tailed wood rat that is known for collecting items and storing them in its cluttered nest. If you have similar habits, it’s about time that you make yourself get rid of things that you don’t really need. It may be difficult at first, but if you employ the five-box method, you will find the process not only less challenging but also liberating. Label five boxes with donate, sell, store, keep, and throw away. Items inside the house should go appropriately into these boxes. Even if you love a certain item, like an old dress that doesn’t fit you anymore, you can give it to someone else who can make good use of it.

Step 3 – Avoid Presents

If you have friends who love to give things that just collect dust on the shelf, tell them nicely about the kinds of gifts that you’ll rather receive. It would be much better if they can bequeath you with an experience (vacation, salon trip, dinner or massage), edible, usable or practical gifts, or flowers. This will help you to avoid inviting clutter into your home.

Step 4 – Do Daily De-Cluttering

Spend at least 5 to 10 minutes of your day de-cluttering. Put things away in their proper places. Shoes should go in the shoe rack, magazine and books should be stored on the shelves, junk mail should head directly to the trash bin, and so on. It’s not smart to wait until the end of the week before you put away these items because by that time, they will already have transformed from little things that are lying around to piles of clutter.