Sometimes it feels like no matter how much I try to get rid of the clutter there seems to be more coming in than I can handle and I wonder why I’m not where I want to be. If you have been trying to simplify your home and life but still feel things are going too slow then maybe you need to boost your decluttering efforts with these 7 tips:

Get to the root of the problem

When you think about it, clutter doesn’t just magically appear, (although it may feel like it does). Every item comes from somewhere and so it goes to figure that we need to get to the root to stop the growth of clutter and stuff. So here are some tips and thoughts to help get back on track with simplifying.

1. Consider going on a shopping fast or no spend month.

Sometimes our shopping habits can sabotage our simplifying efforts. Doing a challenge like this will give you the opportunity to focus on getting clutter within the home under control without incoming inventory coming in. This can mean still buying all essentials of course. The rules are up to you. Focusing on the stuff you have may also help you to realise that you already have more than enough.

2. Put a stop all unnecessary subscriptions and junk-mail

Cancel any subscriptions that you really don’t need and put a stop to all junk-mail. We rarely get time to read or look through too many magazines and junk mail so just keep the ones that you really do need. This will mean less junk lying around on counter-tops and a bonus is that you will not be tempted to buy more advertised items.

3. Eat through your Pantry and fridge/freezer

The amount of food that we used to throw out on a weekly basis was not only a waste of food but also money. Now we try to only buy what we will actually eat that week. But what about the excess food we have at the back of our pantry and freezer? Try only buying necessary food items and making meals by using up those items that are still fresh. Throw out expired items. Again this will save money and give you a chance to declutter the pantry and freezer. I like to give it a good clean out when the food is cleared out somewhat.

4. The one in five out rule

Every time you make a purchase get rid of up to five items of the same. New bag, try to remove 1-5 bags you no longer use. Before you buy a new book decide which books you can pass on. This helps in two ways. You may decide you don’t need the new item altogether or you mininize your stuff the times that you do buy something new.

5. Use up what you already own

In the same way of no.3,use up what you already have before bringing anything else into the home

Before making a purchase ask yourself if there is something you already own that you could use instead? Making do is a lost art that I believe can really move us forward with simplifying our homes, helping the environment and saving our hard-earned cash. For example last year I needed a long petticoat but the vintage cotton ones I saw were pricey plus I knew I had a couple of white dresses I no longer wore. So all I did was cut, put elastic and sew. It was very simple and rewarding.

If ever I need to give a gift I always check if I could re-gift something new that the person would enjoy. There are endless ways we can use up what we already posses and that will boost our simplifying efforts.

6. Have a donations box handy

We keep a donations box in the laundry where we drop items jo longer wanted or needed. You could keep one next to the door. Once full put in the car ready to donate. Its a quick and easy way to declutter your home.

7. Simplify gift giving this Season

Keep it simple this Holiday season by decorating minimally yet thoughtfully. Try halving what you usually decorate the house with and better yet, don’t but any new decor. Give simple consumable gifts and ask for simple gifts or no gifts from loved ones if they ask. This will help keep things calm and orderly during this busy time ready to welcome the new year.