An Important Step to help you declutter and stay the course

Actually, I hadn’t planned on sharing this important step during this series. But when I thought about what I do after deciding where I’m going to start, this step immediately came to mind. It is 100% helpful to keep the motivation going. I think it really goes hand in hand with the first step–Deciding Where to Start. So lets call that step 1.a. and this one 1.b, okay?

You can declutter without this step. But this step gives decluttering legs. It can bring you back to focus when you get sidetracked. And it can also be your measuring stick when you need help deciding what to keep.

What is this step? It’s creating a goal for the place you are starting, setting a date and creating a visual. Everything is more fun with a visual!

Let me explain with the example of my garage.

Once you’ve chosen where to start, I want you to think about what you want out of the space.

I wanted a place for the trashcan in the garage. I have a feeling you know what I mean when I say having a shorter distance to travel to take the trash out means the trash actually goes out!!!

Also, I wanted a designated spot for Recycling. That way, my kitchen floor isn’t littered with milk jugs and cereal boxes.

I wanted our tools organized and a place to hang bikes and yard tools. This way, they aren’t taking up valuable floor space.

Lastly, I wanted a work space for projects. Before this decluttering, projects were stored in random corners in my home. It made my house look messy and I had to carry the tools in and out.

Interview your family members on what bugs them about the space and find out what they want from it (assuming they have an interest )

My son wanted the garage light fixed so he could see at night, and to create a man cave.

My husbands’ most important goal was to park my car in the garage!! You can do that? lol He also wanted the ladder to attic storage fixed (we’ve only had half a ladder since we moved in 9 years ago!), the walls painted and the flooring finished with a non-slip treatment.

Frankly, my daughter had no cares whatsoever for this space and that is fine too.

Just in case this didn’t come up during your interview process, be sure you think about what keeps the space from being/staying organized. For us, the bikes and tools, of course, but also, not being able to reach the homes we had created for the tools and storage (because of too much stuff!!–and that will be resolved when we declutter-halleluiah!!).

Also, I needed a designated spot for things to go to the Goodwill and consignment (so again, I didn’t have a pile inside my home) And a spot for boxes that are broken down to go to recycle.

After you’ve discovered what your family wants and needs this space to be, and your storage/system needs identified, I want you to create a goal for the space.

Write the goal down. Write it in a specific, positive, present tense format and I want you to put a date on it. Include how it will make you feel. I know this is scary. Remember though, we aren’t looking for perfection, just progress. This might just be the first pass–but if you meet your goal, it will be better than it is now. You can address the same room again later if need be. For now, I want that goal to be attainable within the time frame you are giving yourself. If you only have a week–set an easy goal–maybe just get the junk out. If you have all summer and you need to take that long, that is absolutely fine.

I felt like we could get the garage decluttered, but the painting etc, would not happen this month so that will be my second goal. I did want to keep the Man Cave in mind, but won’t be disappointed if that doesn’t happen as that is not part of my May 30 goal. Here is the goal statement for my garage:

“I feel so relaxed now, May 30 (20__) that my garage is a clean, organized hang out space where we can easily grab our bicycles and tools. There is a spot for trash and recycling. I have space for projects and can park my car. It is easy to put things away and everything has a place. We have begun to carve out a “Man Cave” to watch sports this fall!”

After you’ve written your goal statement, you need to find a place to put it where you will see it every day. I put mine on my phone because I review my goals daily during my morning quiet time.

Your place might be your bathroom mirror or your written calendar. It doesn’t matter where, just that you read it and review it EVERY DAY! You need to keep this goal in mind.

The last step is Visualizing your goal

I love Pinterest for this. Of course you can make your own Vision board or a home binder. However you decide to do it, it needs to be something you are excited about and can review often.

I pinned storage solutions, and Donation Station ideas. I pinned Man Cave images and project stations. And I pinned my car (or actually someone’s car haha), parked INSIDE MY GARAGE!! Which has never happened till now.

Creating a Goal Statement and visualizing the result helps you stay the course. When you are saying, “I’m too tired” you can turn to that Pinterest page or vision board, and think, “On May 30, I will have a place to do my projects!!” “My life will be easier because the kitchen floor won’t be littered with recycles so I can sweep it easily!” I will enjoy hearing my son and husband and their friends cheering Clemson on during football season from their “ManCave”!

The last thing this does is help you make decisions. When I am trying to decide if I should keep my daughters huge dollhouse, and yes, she is 14 now and actually never even played with it when she was 7, I can visualize how the finished garage will look with a large unused dollhouse right in the middle and happily pass it on to some little girl who will be thrilled to decorate it’s little rooms with tiny furniture.

So yes, please, don’t skip this important step, 1.b.. Before you get rid of one thing, try creating a Goal for Your Spaces. You will be so happy meeting your goal and enjoying your new space!