Destuffocating: How to make your stuff more manageable.

Are you overwhelmed by stuff? As a busy family of four with two young kids, I seem to be constantly decluttering, sorting and removing items from our home, only to have to do it all again a few weeks later!

Research suggests that 80% of 16-24 year olds said they don't know exactly what's in their wardrobe but I'll be honest, I'm 32 and I'm not 100% sure of everything in mine!

If we can’t remember what we own, it can be easy to think we need to buy something we don’t need or forget about something we used to love and have stashed away. We get to the point where we can't see the wood for the trees and it can be suffocating! Thus destuffocating was born!

Let's face it, we've all got more time at home at the moment, so it's the perfect lockdown project.

Tackle the forgotten drawers, curate your cupboards and re-discover what you already own.

Here are my top tips for destuffocating and maybe unearthing some gems you already own!

Step 1)

Sorry to sound all Marie Kondo but start by asking yourself how does the item make you feel? Why have you kept it? When did you last use it and when will you use it again?

Asking yourself these questions will make you think if you really do love or need the item and start the process; you don’t need to be really strict but using these questions will make you more conscious about what you own.

2)

Give yourself time; set a time limit, minimise distractions that would interrupt your focus (emails, phone, kids) and work in managable chunks, even 15 or 30 minutes, to stop it becoming draining and overwhelming. Set SMART goals; one drawer, one cupboard, a shelf, T-shirts, wooden toys each day. Think small and regular!

3)

Create piles as you go; things to keep, things that need mending, things to donate or swap, and things to recycle.

4)

Choose a system for organising your stuff and make sure everyone in your household is on board. Otherwise it can feel like one step forward, two steps back (I speak from experience!)

For your wardrobe, for example, will you organise by seasons, function i.e. work, comfort, sport, going out, by colour palettes, by frequency of wear, types of clothing? You get the picture!

Having things in grouped or in a designated place will mean you can make the most of what you own as you’ll be able to keep track of where things actually are!

5) Pass on what you don’t want; when the time is right you can sell on, take to the charity shop, swap with friends, or take to a recycling bank.

Most importantly in this process, rediscover what you own, fall back in love with those things you thought you might be tired of and you will feel mentally better for it.

Happy Destuffocating! 💚