10 Habits for a Simplified Home Minimalism and Decluttering

文章要点：

• Simplifying your home can lead to a more manageable space.
• Implementing small habits can make decluttering easier.
• Consistent decluttering is key to maintaining a clutter-free environment.
• Understanding your current lifestyle is essential for effective decluttering.
• Using a wishlist can curb impulse buying and help control clutter.
• The two-minute rule can reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed by tasks.

My cluttered space used to feel much heavier. It seemed like every step I took I would stumble on something to add on my to do. Keeping it tidy used to be so daunting, especially with two little ones, until I realized I can simply let go.

Here are 10 habits and little rules that helped me simplify my home, and it might just help you do the same too.

The 57 rule I use this rule to determine what I keep out on my kitchen counters. If it's an item that I use five days out of seven, then it warrants a place on my counters. The things that pass that test for me are coffee machine, kettle, toaster. Anything else I had to double check.

I've also got the spatulas and cutting boards there. Those are things that I use pretty much on a daily basis, so those stay on the counter for easy access. Anything else can be packed away in my cupboards.

And since I have decluttered a lot of my cupboards, I actually have quite a lot of space in there to put things. Even though my kitchen is not necessarily massive, but I can keep the bread in a bin in there, it doesn't need to be out on my counters.

My blender, mixer, and other appliances can go in the cupboards as well. I don't need those out all the time. Clearing out your counters might not seem like a big deal, but it does two things.

One, it’s so much easier to clean because the surface is quite clear, so giving it a quick wipe is so easy. You don't have to move a hundred items out of the way before you can wipe it. If you spill something, you don't have to clean a whole bunch of items.

And number two, it gives me a lot more workspace when I'm cooking, which I really appreciate.

The Broken Window Effect—there's this theory in criminology called the broken window theory. This was coined back in 1982, and it says that if there are visible signs of crime, such as a broken window in an abandoned building, that broken window will lead to more broken windows.

If you've got this neglected environment, it gives the impression that no one cares, leading to more antisocial behavior and obviously more problems down the road. Now, what does this have to do with decluttering?

Well, keeping a simplified home is very much like this. Once a surface gets cluttered, if it's not addressed, it will attract more clutter on it. It gives the impression to everyone that it's okay for the surface to be cluttered. That's how you end up with piles and piles of stuff.

Addressing it straight away and trying to keep that surface tidy as you go along actually helps you down the line. It’s true what they say, that clutter attracts clutter.

Decluttering is something we need to do constantly. I used to think that if I could just get this big declutter done, then I wouldn't really have to do it again. But the truth is, we bring a lot of things into our homes every week.

Kids bring artwork from school, we bring clothes from the shop, and we get boxes from parcels we ordered. There's always going to be stuff coming in.

We need to be mindful about getting some of that stuff out of our houses. Decluttering becomes so much easier once you get past the point of, “Okay, my house is not cluttered anymore.”

All I need to do is little declutters throughout the day to keep it like this. Decluttering is something we do need to incorporate into our routine.

Be present in your current season of life. This took me a while to grasp because I used to hang on to items that didn’t fit my lifestyle anymore. They were from past hobbies that I wasn't interested in, or clothes that wouldn't fit me anymore because they were from before children.

I had to learn to embrace my present life as a mom to two young children and let go of the idea of what future me might want to wear one day.

Keep what you truly need and value. I'm not saying you need to simplify away the things you enjoy using. It’s about finding that right balance between what you love and need and what brings convenience to your life.

There’s a balance to be found through decluttering. Once you get rid of the items you don't need, you're more intentional about what truly brings value to your life.

Simplify your laundry routine. One thing that helps with laundry is to declutter your clothes. Having less clothes actually makes laundry easier. Reducing your inventory makes this process smoother.

Incorporating one load a day has been beneficial. We set up the washing machine to go at night, so it runs in the morning. By the time we wake up, the laundry is already done.

Have a wish list. I started doing this with my kids. Whenever my son wanted something from the shop, I would take a picture of the toy and put it in a folder on my phone called his wish list.

This helps curb impulse buying and makes us more intentional about purchases. I started using this system myself for clothing or any other items I want.

The two-minute rule. If a task takes less than two minutes, do it right then and there. This helps prevent a backlog of tasks.

For example, if I see some rubbish around, I'll quickly grab it and put it in the bin. The more little tasks we let pile on, the more daunting it feels.

The one in, one out. When buying things like clothes, I apply this rule. For instance, if I buy a new jacket, I let go of an older one. This helps avoid piling up of items.

Check before you buy. When doing your weekly food shop, check your fridge and cupboards first. This way, you avoid buying things you already have.

Creating a simplified home can be easier than we think. It’s just those little habits that help a lot.
I hope this was helpful and I will see you in my next one.