Decluttering can be a stressful and confusing process and it can sometimes be difficult to know where to begin. To help simplify this process, We have put together a short list of 20 things that you can declutter this year! Whether you’re a decluttering newbie or a minimalist pro, we can all benefit from evaluating what’s adding value in the different areas of our life, and getting rid of what isn’t.
20 Things to Declutter in 2020:
- Electronics. If you have old computers, phones, gaming systems or other electronics that are out of date or no long work, there’s no point holding onto them. Recycle them or sell them for parts.
- Old fashion trends you no longer wear. Remember the feather hair extensions from a few years ago? You wouldn’t be caught dead in them today, so there’s no use in keeping them lying around.
- Medicine that has expired or that you don’t use. Go through your medicine cabinets and take an inventory of what you have and ask yourself if the medications you have fit actual needs. Often, we keep multiple medications that serve the same purpose. Choose your favorites/most used only and declutter the rest.
- Kitchen appliances that are gathering dust. Do you have a panini maker or a food processor that gets used twice a year? These are items we frequently purchase picturing the Instagram worthy food we will make, but they really aren’t practical on a day-to-day basis. I would suggest decluttering any appliances that you haven’t used in the past three months.
- Makeup that is the wrong shade or skincare products that aren’t for your skin type. I’m really not sure why we hold onto products like these, but I can personally attest to the fact that it happens all too often. As much as you may feel guilty about getting rid of a product you haven’t finished, it’s really just best to let go of it.
- Old books you’ve read and don’t plan to re-read. I think this is really the majority of books for us. Unless it’s an all-time favorite novel or a non-fiction book you know you’ll reference again and again, once you’ve read a book, it’s best to let it go.
- Shoes that pinch your feet, have holes, or are generally uncomfortable. I don’t know about you, but I am definitely a creature of comfort and if a pair of shoes aren’t comfortable, I’m quite simply not going to wear them. Declutter as you need to and keep in mind for next time that sometimes it pays to invest in quality shoes. Your feet will thank you later!
- Knick knacks that have no sentimental value & that you don’t love. Often, we are given these as gifts or pick them up on vacations. They can be a wide variety of things from signs containing inspirational sayings like “Live, Laugh & Love”, to shell hanging lantern that you picked up on your Florida vacation. If you don’t love the item, there’s no need to hold on to it.
- Old ratty purses and belts. I’m not sure why, but these are two areas of the closet where we keep things long past when they’ve stopped looking good. If the leather is cracking, the vegan leather is peeling, it has stains, or is otherwise worn out looking, it’s time to let go of the item.
- Seasonal décor you don’t love and use. Stores come out with tons of Valentine’s, Halloween, Christmas and every other imaginable type of décor throughout the year. Stick only to what you love. For me, this means just keeping some simple Christmas ornaments, but none for other occasions!
- Miscellaneous kitchen items. Whether it’s plastic silverware, condiment packets, rubber bands, empty spice bottles, or something else, little items can really add up fast. These are really unnecessary and just tend to clutter up places.
- Magazines. Once they’ve been read once, do we ever really go back and look at them again? If you’ve already read it, recycle it. If it’s been lying around for anything over a month unread, recycle it.
- Hobby or craft supplies. If you have half-finished craft projects or old hobby-related paraphernalia stored away that’s infrequently, if ever touched. Send what you can off to a better home and say farewell to unfinished projects.
- Board games, video games and puzzles. If you have games that don’t get played, puzzles that are missing pieces, or video games with scratched discs, the items are taking up space without adding value. Not something desirable in an intentional home.
- Cords, cords, cords. I’m not sure why, but we always seem to have more electronic cords lying around than we know what to do with. If you don’t know what it goes to, or it goes to something you no longer own, recycle it at your local electronics store.
- Sentimental items. If you have memorabilia that doesn’t mean as much to you now as it did back in the day or you’ve held onto old embarrassing photos over the years, it’s time to let them go.
- Empty products. Used candles, empty perfume bottles, hairspray, or anything else that’s been used up have no place staying around your home. Once you’ve gotten all the functionality you can out of something, get rid of the empty container.
- Food, spices, and condiments. Check to see if food items are out of date, if you have food that won’t get eaten, condiments that don’t get used, or other edibles that are just taking up space, either get rid of them or donate them to your local food pantry.
- Gift Wrapping Paraphernalia. Let’s be honest, most of us own way more of this than we actually USE. If you have wrapping paper, bows, bags, strings or tags that you have an excess of gift wrapping supplies or simply ones you don’t like – either use them up or get rid of them.
- Promo Items or Freebies. Do you have a cheap pair of sunglass with a brand’s logo plastered across the side? Or a free t-shirt you caught at a sports game that’s way too big for you? Let’s be honest. Companies are always trying to bombard us with free gear and while it can feel great receiving a free item, do you really want to be a walking advertisement for a dentist’s office or car company? If you have any promo items that you’ve held on to for a *bit* too long, donate, recycle, or otherwise GET RID of those items.
- Old bedding if you have to ask yourself if it's time to change your sheets, its is TIME! Lucky for you, you can buy high quality affordable bamboo bedsheets that are made to last a lifetime and replace your old bedding.
While these 20 items may not lead to a COMPLETELY decluttered home, they are a fantastic step in the right direction and will have you well on your way to simplifying your life as we enter this new decade.