How To Set Realistic Decluttering Goals That Actually Work

The first step in the decluttering process is not to go out and get some bin bags; rather, it is to take some time to reflect on why you are decluttering and what you hope to achieve. 

 

The first step in the decluttering process is not to go out and get some bin bags; rather, it is to take some time to reflect on why you are decluttering and what you hope to achieve. 

 

Here are some good questions to begin with:

• What impact does clutter currently have on my life?
• What feelings do I have about clutter?
• Am I more impacted by ongoing clutter, accumulated clutter, or both?
• How much of my day can I devote to cleaning up clutter?
• Which rooms in my house are currently the most cluttered?
• If that mess was gone, how would my life be different?
• How I'd like to spend time in my house once the clutter is gone?
• Is the clutter in my house affecting anyone else?
• If I could get rid of it, how would that affect them?
• What are some of my long-term goals?
• How can getting rid of clutter help me achieve those goals?

You need to be honest in your answers, otherwise, you won't get the best out of yourself.  This is probably going to feel strange at first - I know we talk to ourselves a lot of time, but how often are you completely honest with yourself.

 

Use these questions to guide your reflection on the potentially life-changing effects of decluttering and, more importantly, on how you want your life to change as a result of getting rid of the clutter in your home.

 

Get a Clear Picture in Your Mind

Close your eyes and picture how your home would appear and what it would feel like when you have finished decluttering. Try to get a very clear picture of your home without clutter and of yourself in that home. 

 

• What emotions do you feel when you imagine a clutter-free home?
• What do you picture yourself doing in that home?

 

Try to make it as real to yourself as you can. Your goals will become more real and you'll be more likely to succeed at decluttering if you can visualise your goals more clearly.

Please don't skip this step as it serves as a very effective motivator.

 

Record Your Goals!

It’s crucial to write down your goals in addition to considering and visualising them in your mind

 

Dr Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University in California, recently researched the art and science of goal setting. Her findings showed that writing down your goals increases your chance of success by 42% compared to not doing so. She adds that one reason for this is the ease with which we can remind ourselves of our goals whenever we need a motivational boost when we have them written down.

 

I am well aware of how quickly life can become hectic and how easily our vision of a clutter-free home can vanish from memory. However, having it in writing will make it simple to recall that vision at a later date.

 

How to Record Your Decluttering Vision

Here are a few methods for writing down your decluttering vision:
You can put what you want to achieve and why in a thorough description.

• You can make a word cloud of motivating expressions that express what you hope to achieve.
• You can sketch out your ideal home using a pen and paper, or you can cut out images from magazines that best represent it.
• A Pinterest board with pictures and references to articles outlining your goals can be made.

You could combine the above-mentioned options.

Use whatever method is most effective for you, and whichever one will make it easiest for you to revisit your vision often.  I have created a Free 10-page Decluttering Workbook to help you with this task.

 

Using Your Vision to Succeed at Decluttering

 

How can you use your goals, which you've now clarified and listed, to accomplish your decluttering objectives?

 

Use Your Vision as a Guide to Plan Your Journey

When you are clear on your end goal for decluttering, you can begin making plans for how to get there. Decide on a practical strategy for achieving your big goals by breaking them down into more manageable objectives.

 

Keep It Visible

Don't jot down your vision only to let it get lost among a stack of papers in your house. Store it nearby. Put it where you'll see it frequently, like the front of your planner, the fridge, or your nightstand.

 

Review It Regularly

Regularly review it to remind yourself of the reasons why you want to be successful with your decluttering. As you envision yourself in that uncluttered home, feel your motivation come back.

 

Don’t be afraid to reassess your vision

You might occasionally feel the need to clarify your vision, especially if your decluttering process is taking longer than expected. Sometimes, as a result of tackling our clutter, our priorities and interests change, and that's fine.  

 

Simply go through the steps again to redefine your decluttering objectives if that happens.

 

Celebrate Your Successes

You'll be able to see how you're progressing toward your goal as you review it, which is another fantastic benefit.

People tend to notice what still needs to be done rather than how far they’ve come, acknowledging your progress is crucial for maintaining motivation. Therefore, as your desired results start to materialise, make sure to take some time to celebrate them. Just remember not to buy anything. 😊

 

What Are Your Decluttering Goals?

Because each of us is different and special, our decluttering journeys will also be exclusive to us. Despite this, the majority of us share a few traits: we dislike clutter because it takes up time and causes stress, and we want to get rid of it so that we can have peace, calm, and free time for the things that matter to us.

 

The more clearly, we can see the positive effects of decluttering, the more likely it is that we will be successful in doing so and reap those rewards.  Determining our decluttering objectives is crucial for this reason.

Take a few minutes to mentally and in writing to clearly define your goals, and don't skip this crucial step.

What major changes do you hope to make in your life as a result of decluttering? Once you've done that, I'd love to hear about them in the comments.

 

I really appreciate you stopping by and want to say thank you - because without you I wouldn't be here. Believe in Yourself, You got this, NOW Go Declutter!