How To Simplify Life and Get Rid Of Stuff – 10 SIMPLE Tips

Life can get messy and cluttered. I know how easy it is to collect things over time, filling our homes with stuff we don’t really need.

This can make us feel stressed and overwhelmed. Getting rid of excess stuff and simplifying our lives can bring peace and freedom.

I’ve found some helpful tips to declutter and simplify. These ideas can make our homes feel more spacious and organized.

They can also help us focus on what’s truly important in life. Following these suggestions can create a calmer, happier living space.

1: Donate Unused Clothes

I like to go through my closet every few months and pick out clothes I don’t wear anymore. I put these items in a donation box.

I make sure the clothes are clean and in good shape before donating. Stained or torn clothes aren’t helpful to charities.

I drop off my donations at local thrift stores or clothing banks. Some places even offer pickup services.

Donating clothes helps others in need and clears space in my home. It’s a simple way to declutter and do good at the same time.

2: Sell Unused Furniture

Selling furniture I don’t need is a great way to simplify my home. I start by looking at each piece and asking myself if I really use it.

If not, I take photos and list them online. Local buy/sell groups on social media are good options. I also try apps made to sell used items.

I price things somewhat based on condition. This helps them sell faster and makes space in my home.

3: Organize Using Clear Bins

Clear bins are my go-to for organizing stuff at home. I can easily see what’s inside without opening them. This saves me time and frustration when looking for things.

I like to group similar items together in each bin. For example, I put all my winter gear in one bin and summer clothes in another.

Labels help me keep track of what’s in each bin. I use a simple label maker or even handwritten sticky notes. This system makes it easy to find what I need quickly.

4: Declutter One Room at a Time

I find it works best to focus on one room at a time when decluttering. I start with the most cluttered area first. This helps me see progress quickly and stay motivated.

I sort items into piles to keep, donate, sell, or throw away. Taking breaks helps me avoid feeling overwhelmed. I also ask a friend to help sometimes.

5: Digitize Important Documents

I recommend scanning important papers to create digital copies. This saves space and makes documents easy to find.

I use a scanner app on my phone to quickly digitize bills, receipts, and other records.

I organize the files in clearly labeled folders on my computer or cloud storage. This system helps me stay organized without paper clutter.

6: Opt for Multipurpose Tools

I find that using multipurpose tools helps simplify my life at home. Instead of having many single-use gadgets, I choose items that serve multiple functions.

For example, I use a food processor that can chop, blend, and knead dough. This saves space in my kitchen and reduces clutter.

I also like Swiss Army knives and multi-tools for quick fixes around the house. They compact several useful tools into one handy device.

7: Adopt a Minimalist Mindset

I find that adopting a minimalist mindset is key to simplifying my life. I focus on what truly matters and let go of unnecessary things.

I ask myself if an item brings real value or joy before keeping it. This helps me make thoughtful choices about what I bring into my home.

By valuing experiences over stuff, I free up space and time for what’s important. It’s a journey, but it leads to a clearer, calmer life.

8: Use Storage Solutions

Smart storage can make a big difference in simplifying your home. I recommend using bins, baskets, and boxes to group similar items together. This keeps things tidy and easy to find.

Wall-mounted shelves and hooks are great for maximizing vertical space. They get items off the floor and make rooms feel less cluttered.

Under-bed storage containers work well for items you don’t use often. They hide things away while keeping them accessible when needed.

9: Recycle Electronics Responsibly

I know it’s tempting to toss old electronics in the trash, but that isn’t good for the environment. Instead, I look for local recycling centers that accept e-waste.

Many stores like Best Buy also have recycling programs for old devices. I make sure to erase personal data from phones and computers before recycling them.

Donating working electronics to schools or charities is another great option I consider. It gives my old tech new life and helps others.

Note: You can try EWCRA‘s free pickup at your location. I really love their works in Salt Lake City.

10: Create a Weekly Cleaning Schedule

I find that a weekly cleaning schedule helps keep my home tidy without feeling overwhelmed. I break tasks into manageable chunks spread across different days.

For example, I vacuum on Mondays, clean bathrooms on Tuesdays, and do laundry on Wednesdays. This way, I don’t have to tackle everything at once.

I keep my schedule flexible and adjust it based on my commitments each week. The key is consistency and doing a little bit each day.

Psychological Benefits of Decluttering

Decluttering is more than just a physical act of organizing your space; it can have profound psychological benefits that positively impact various aspects of your life. Here are some key psychological benefits of decluttering:

1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety: A cluttered environment can lead to increased stress and anxiety. Decluttering helps create a sense of control and order, reducing these negative feelings.
2. Improved Focus and Productivity: A tidy, organized space can enhance concentration and productivity. With fewer distractions, your mind can focus more easily on important tasks.
3. Enhanced Creativity: A clutter-free environment can foster creativity by providing mental space for new ideas and inspiration to flourish.
4. Boosted Self-Esteem: Successfully decluttering can give you a sense of accomplishment, boosting your self-esteem and confidence in your ability to manage your life.
5. Better Decision-Making: The process of decluttering involves making decisions about what to keep and what to discard. This practice can improve your decision-making skills in other areas of life.
6. Increased Sense of Freedom: Letting go of unnecessary possessions can create a feeling of liberation and freedom from material attachments.
7. Improved Relationships: A tidy living space can reduce tension in relationships, especially among cohabitants, leading to more harmonious interactions.
8. Enhanced Mood: A clean, organized environment can elevate your mood and promote a more positive outlook on life.
9. Better Sleep: A decluttered bedroom can improve sleep quality by creating a more relaxing environment.
10. Increased Energy: Physical clutter can be mentally and emotionally draining. Removing it can increase energy and motivation.
11. Improved Self-Care: The act of decluttering is a form of self-care, showing that you value yourself and your living space.
12. Greater Sense of Time: When you’re not constantly searching for misplaced items, you gain more time for activities you enjoy, leading to a greater sense of time abundance.
13. Clarity of Mind: As external clutter decreases, many people report experiencing greater mental clarity and ability to process thoughts.
14. Reduced Procrastination: A decluttered space can reduce the tendency to procrastinate by eliminating visual distractions and creating a more inviting environment for task completion.
15. Increased Mindfulness: Decluttering can promote mindfulness as you become more aware of your possessions and their value in your life.
16. Better Financial Decisions: Decluttering often leads to more mindful consumption habits, potentially improving your financial decision-making.
17. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Organizing your space requires problem-solving, which can translate to improved problem-solving skills in other areas of life.
18. Greater Sense of Personal Identity: Curating your possessions to reflect your current values and lifestyle can strengthen your sense of personal identity.

By embracing decluttering, you’re organizing your physical space and creating room for mental and emotional growth. These psychological benefits can lead to a more balanced, satisfying, and purposeful life.