National Organising Week – Top 5 decluttering tips

This week APDO (Association of Professional Declutterers & Organisers) is running its third annual National Organising Week (NOW) asking: why delay letting go of those possessions which are cluttering your home, impacting on your precious living space and busying your thoughts?  Declutter NOW!

APDO specialise in assisting people to clear their clutter and organise their homes, but members can also help clients mentally declutter negativity from their lives.  Some professional organisers have backgrounds in life coaching or mental health, whilst others are experts in interior design.

As Britain’s experts in decluttering and organising, APDO are aware that sometimes we need a push in the right direction so here are some top decluttering tips from APDO to get the job done:

TIP ONE – Don’t delay decisions

Avoid the temptation to put unwanted possessions ‘out of sight and out of mind’, whether that’s in a cupboard, attic, shed or in self-storage outside the home.  You’re essentially just postponing dealing with the clutter – just because it’s out of sight, it doesn’t mean it can’t weigh on your mind.

TIP TWO – Don’t give up

When you start decluttering and organising, things can (and probably will) look worse before they get better.  The key is to commit some time to the process, not become distracted by other tasks and to push through feelings of being overwhelmed.

TIP THREE – Break it down

Rome wasn’t built in a day.  It took longer than one weekend for things to become disordered so it will take time to solve the problem. Don’t be discouraged if it seems like you have a mountain to climb.  Break down the task into bite sized chunks and it will be far more manageable.

TIP FOUR – Be realistic

Be realistic on what your stuff is really worth to the outside world. Find avenues that you can sell or donate your stuff quickly and easily. Avoid creating a mountain in the corner of items you plan to sell ‘one day’. Remember ‘Oneday’ and ‘Someday’ are not real days of the week so you’ll never get around to them!

TIP FIVE – Ask for help

A professional organiser can help you clear a path through the mess and stress in order to achieve a calmer home and life. They have the experience and ideas to help you make the most out of the space you have, as well as guide you on what to do with unwanted possessions and teach you how to maintain the changes for good.

Professional organisers can be an invaluable shortcut to getting the job done and keeping it under control. If it seems a daunting prospect tackling it alone, visit http://www.apdo.co.uk/ to find an accredited APDO member near you.

National Organising Week is a great opportunity for you to stop and think about the mental and physical clutter you are living with.  It’s a chance to consider how you are using your precious time and to take action to tackle things – NOW.

Share your decluttering dilemmas and successes on social media using the hashtag #NOWorganise

“You can still make a difference by tidying in small bursts. Having suitable storage solutions will present a sense of order and facilitate an efficient and organised home.” Darryl Brunt, UK Sales & Marketing Director at Fellowes UK

Good luck from all at MoneyMagpie and APDO!

Find out how to get involved in National Clear Your Clutter Day 2018