It’s time.
I’ve been avoiding it for months now.
I’ve made excuses.
I’ve averted my eyes.
I’ve sighed about the state of things, and “shoulds” fill my mind, but my energy level just never matches the task.
But now, it’s time.
Time for what you ask?
Time to declutter the basement, what I’ve called our “area of shame” in the past.
When I started decluttering in 2015, the basement was overflowing. There was a small, clear pathway from the stairs to the washer and dryer but that was it. I only went down there when I had to do laundry and quickly came back up.
Our basement – BEFORE
Do the Visible Spaces First
Our house was better…but also needed a ton of decluttering. Our basement was one of overwhelming spaces that needed decluttering.
Since I started this blog in 2015, our home is feeling much better with some basic systems and routines for decluttering and cleaning. Although we had some great momentum in the basement before, the momentum slowed down and eventually stopped altogether.
I didn’t have the right mindset to declutter in the basement.
My husband and I also stopped talking about the basement and working together.
My focus was on clearing clutter in our house.
Since that time, I’ve developed some helpful daily, weekly, and monthly routines in my life. I’ve also realized that decluttering my home is not a project that is ever complete. It requires our regular attention, or else the clutter creeps in again. Unless we hold our vision for the space, and keep to our systems of maintenance, the clutter will always return!
First Steps in Decluttering an Overwhelming Space
There are a few things I’ve learned since I’ve been decluttering our home which I’ve been implementing since we’ve been working on our basement:
- Focus on your own things if you’re working in a shared space.
- Declutter from a place of gratitude. Also, the importance of changing our negative thoughts into more helpful ones.
- Have a vision or a goal of what you want for your space.
- Pick one next action step that is simple.
- Find some form of accountability. Doing weekly FB Lives on my blog page Setting My Intention has been a huge source of motivation and accountability!
I talk about all these things in my FB Live series. I’m going live every Friday (usually around noon) – I invite you to follow along, and tackle YOUR area of shame.
PIN IT FOR LATER:
What is your overwhelming space? Let me know in the comments!
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Great action steps, Angela!
Thanks Melinda!
My basement needs a massive decluttering. It is the only space in my house that is cluttered. it is so easy to put things down there and then forget about it. I have boxes that I have not opened since we moved three years ago. Now that it is fall, maybe we can take a weekend and get it down. I know it will look better and I will feel better to get rid of the mess.
Yes! Do it Michele! It will feel awesome. Good luck!
I need to attack my book cases. Thanks for this boost!
You’re welcome! How did it go?
Thank you for the 5 Steps to Declutter! I am always needing to declutter somewhere. My areas are the basement and office.
Yes! Basements and offices are common areas of shame, aren’t they?
I’m actually quite lucky as I’ve moved house 25 times now in my thirty (mumbles) years on this rock. I’m a horder by nature so I’d have built up so much clutter by now if it wasn’t for moving so regularly. It kind of keeps me in check! I understand how the FB live event will help motivate though and it’s great to tackle these things together. Thanks for linking to #DreamTeam x
I’ve often had that thought – I wish I were moving so it would keep me constantly shedding stuff! That’s a major benefit to moving!
What great tips. Sometimes you’ve just got to get in there and do the hard work of decluttering. Congrats, you’re featured at the This Is How We Roll Link Party.
Thank you for the feature Susan! Yes – it is hard work, but very gratifying (in a weird way!)
I am tackling my area of shame , my crafting corner at the weekend. My daughter is going to help me. I will definitely be thinking of these tips as I do it.
#brillblogposts
Wonderful Ali! Hope your crafting corner is decluttered and beautifully functional!
We all have those areas of shame in our house. Love your action steps to fixing the situation, and totally agree that you have to approach it with an attitude of gratitude! Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Thanks Leslie! An attitude of gratitude is a must – when decluttering and all other areas of life as well (I’m learning!)
Great post! Not a person on the planet that doesn’t need a good declutter every now and again! I may just leave my laptop open while the Mrs. is around, and perhaps she will subtly see this … #dreamteam
There might be someone on the planet, but I don’t know them!! 🙂