How To Declutter Quickly And Stop Buying Stuff

I’m talking about how to declutter quickly and stop buying stuff we don’t need today. You may remember me talking about my 15-minute timer trick. If you look at your home, whether large or small, it can be overwhelming to know where to start decluttering quickly. There is something about looking at clean horizontal counters, dresser tops, kitchen counters, etc. I LOVE having nothing sitting out on the counters. Yes, I have the toaster and my cooking utensil holder.

I love having my closets organized and items in labeled containers. Now that we have moved up north, we have decluttered quite a bit. It’s funny that even after moving into our tiny home, I still get rid of stuff. Plus, at my age, I know my family will not want to dig through things they will not want or need.

Anyway, let’s go back to how to declutter quickly. The picture below gives me anxiety. Luckily, my house doesn’t look like this. Yikes!

Declutter Quickly

Grab some black 33-gallon garbage bags for trash or broken items and some 33-gallon clear bags to donate or sell at a garage sale. Yes, boxes work great as well. If you haven’t worn something in a year or more, remove it from your closet and don’t look back. Donate it while someone else buys it at a thrift store. Let it go, and you will feel fantastic, I promise.

You can use a timer if that would help you get started decluttering. I have the same kind of timer my mom had growing up: a Minute Timer. Next, turn on music or upbeat audio while organizing one room at a time.

This is one of my all-time favorite audible books: You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jan Sincero. I have given the hard copies to several friends; I like it that much. I will caution you about the language, but it’s a very upbeat book. I have listened to the audible book at least 10 times because I love it.

If you have some music you love, crank up the volume and start decluttering one drawer or closet at a time. It feels incredible, I promise.

Declutter Quickly- Stop Buying Stuff

One thing about decluttering is how great you feel when you see less in a closet or less on horizontal shelves and countertops. Now, this is where we need to be disciplined about not buying more stuff to replace the junk we let go of by selling or donating. Let’s be honest here: How much stuff do we need? Very little. Sometimes, I look at stuff and say, “Why did I buy that?” Good grief! I like the motto, “When you buy something, donate something”.

When I shop for anything, I think, “Will I be donating this stuff in a year?” First, where I live, you rarely find much of anything at the local stores, so I typically shop online. I spend less gas driving around looking for something. I need only to realize it won’t be in the stores here. I’m hopeful I can find it, but the odds are against finding stuff I need in our town.

I buy a lot on Amazon because it saves me time and money 99% of the time. Remember that we need to stop buying stuff we don’t need. Period. It’s so easy to order online, but I want you to think about what you buy. Think hard, whether it be at the brick-and-mortar stores or online. Do I need this, or will I be donating it a year from now? I have laughed with my daughters and with friends about this statement.

Things To Think About

Instead of buying stuff, some things may work for you and your family to bring simplicity and happiness into your life rather than thinking you need the stuff to make you happy.

1. Gift-giving: slow it down, trust me, less is best.
2. Teach pioneer skills to your family and friends; it may save their lives.
3. Share your love of making bread with everyone you know.
4. If you sew, teach others.
5. If you can piece a quilt like my great-grandmother (and myself), you can teach others the joy of seeing those fabrics that were once a unique dress or shirt incorporated into a quilt.
6. If you can cook in a fantastic Dutch Oven, teach others how to do it.
7. Invite your neighbors to a potluck at your home. It beats shopping and bringing stuff home that you will eventually donate to a thrift store.
8. Share your time, energy, and laughter with friends and neighbors.
9. Visit the older people in your neighborhood; they would love to talk to you, I promise. (This is me NOW! LOL)
10. Please get to know your neighbors; people need people.
11. Be kind to one another and listen to your tone of voice when you speak to others.
12. Send notes of kindness to people you love. You may not get another chance to mail one.
13. Think about what you buy before you buy it, and you may not need it.

Simplify Your Life by Linda

Final Word

May God bless you and your family and help you be prepared for the unexpected. Please be safe and teach others to be self-reliant as soon as possible.

Copyright pictures: Pile of clothes: AdobeStock_65947771 by Luanateuzi, Bedroom picture: AdobeStock_1106456 by Joseph Helfenberger

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