Overwhelmed By Clutter? The 'Pick Up Every Item' Method Can Help

Cluttered roomWhile I agree with organisation principles like Swedish death cleaning in principle, something about seeing my crowded junk drawer and stuffed top wardrobe shelf just makes me think “nah, not doing that.” After all, mess and clutter can leave us stressed out and overwhelmed; even working out where to start can be a hassle.Thankfully, Paul Gray from Chums has shared a simple rule to help sort through what feels like an unmanageable mess when it’s the last thing you want to do.The “pick up every item,” he said, sounds a little intense, but can make the process much easier than it would otherwise.What is the “pick up every item” method?According to Gray, the technique works exactly as you’d think. You go to a cluttered area, like the cupboard under the stairs or your hectic desk, and pick up every item on it.“It’s all too easy to cast your eyes over a desk full of papers or a cluttered bookshelf and assume you still need and want everything there,” he shared. “But by examining each item, you may well find the manual you’ve been holding onto for the kettle you threw out three years ago.” It can make a daunting pile of papers seem much easier to manage, he continued. “Although they’re small items physically, it’s worth taking the time to go through your papers and see what you need.“Anything that needs to be kept should be filed away properly so you can find it when the time comes; anything that doesn’t can be thrown away.” By handling your belongings, you not only get a Marie Kondo-style feel for what you truly want to keep, but you can rest assured you’ve not thrown out anything you might actually want or need either – meaning you may be less anxious to sort through your stuff in the first place.Are there any other tips?Yes! Gray shared three other rules that could make handling your mess easier: The 20/20 Rule – if an item can be replaced for less than £20 within 20 minutes, bin it.The six-month trial – if you’re unsure about an item, pack it away for six months. If you didn’t miss it, bin it.The ‘ifs and buts’ rule – when you pick up an item, ask yourself why you do and don’t want it. An example might be “The cut of this jacket is perfect, but that immovable oil stain means I never wear it out.” Be merciless with these items, Gray says. If you’re humming and hawing over something, chances are it’s time to replace it with something new.Looks like that’s my weekend plans sorted...Related...No, You Don't Need To Die To Benefit From Swedish Death CleaningCleaning Experts Explain How To Master The 'Closing Shift' In Your HomeThe 1 Reason Your Home Is Always Messy, Even Though You're Always Cleaning

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