5 simple golden rules to decluttering

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Five relatively simple but useful tips to follow

It is human nature to collect memories, experiences, and along the way, that inevitably accumulates to things too—like that dress you wore to your high school prom, or the coffee mug you got as a gift that is still sitting in its box. Sounds familiar? Then it is high time you got around to decluttering. There is no better time than the start of a new year to go out with the old, after all. Here are a few essential rules to help you get started:

1. Have you used it in the last year? If you haven't used it in the past year, then it is highly unlikely you will reach for it in the near future. You probably even forgot it was there in the first place.

2. Always put things back where they belong—straightaway This is a simple enough rule to abide by, yet it is also the easiest way mess builds up when not followed. After you're done using something, avoid procrastinating and put it back immediately.

3. Does it "spark joy" in you? You can't go wrong with the Marie Kondo way. Let's face it, some things "sparks joy" more than others—like one T-shirt may hold good memories that another doesn't. While decluttering, besides keeping what is truly necessary, the only other things you should keep are items that make you happy.

4. Put those shoe boxes to good use I trust I can't be the only one with empty shoe boxes lying around the house. Another one of Marie's tips that is especially useful for the wardrobe and smaller items: use shoe boxes to organise your belongings. Neater drawers, fewer clutters.

5. Allow yourself one junk drawer Just one, because there are just some things that serve no useful purpose, yet they just "spark joy" in you—like sea shells you collected at the beach on a family holiday, or ticket stubs from your favourite band's concerts—and opening this junk drawer will always be a wonderful walk down memory lane for you.

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