Decluttering is an important part of new beginnings. Daily factors like stress, lack of inspiration, and anxiety can all be amplified when surrounded by clutter. Removing what you don’t use or need, or simply reorganizing what seems to be out of place, is a great way to attract more magic into your life and activate your creative muse.

Now, where to start? It can be overwhelming just thinking about all you have to do. Clutter itself can serve as a reminder of everything that needs to be done and can be a great source of anxiety on its own. As someone who does experience this, my best tip would be to start slow. Choose one room or section and take your time with it. Here are some neat tips to keep in mind when starting to clean out an area.

1.Everything must have a place. I am the queen of not knowing what to do with that last pile of papers, and I end up leaving them on the counter, yet again creating clutter. So make sure to find a home for everything in the space you’re clearing to avoid starting a vicious cycle.

2.Answer the question: “Do I need this / does it have emotional value to me?” If the answer is “no” or “no, but…,” then chances are you don’t need it and will never use it. Although you may be hesitant to get rid of something, just think about the fact that it occupies the precious space of something that you may truly need and treasure.

3.If the answer to 2 is yes, where should the object go to serve its purpose? Finding a strategic place to store what you will need helps with keeping things organized. You want to make sure you know where everything is and that it’s easily accessible, so you can fully enjoy it.

4.If the answer to 2 is no, decide what to do with it. Some things that are not in good condition you may want to throw out. But for the most part, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Separate the things that are in good condition and share with the world! You can donate or even sell items for a little extra cash.

And now, let’s start decluttering!