It’s safe to say that 2020 has been a tough year for many of us. A global pandemic has well and truly left us living in a ‘new normal’. If you’ve struggled to stick to your resolutions or meet any of your goals this year, you can still aim to start afresh in 2021. Whatever your intentions for the year ahead, becoming clutter free is sure to help.
New Ways of Working
If you are one of the many employees now working from home for the foreseeable future, your priorities may have changed. The spare bedroom for occasional guests is no longer as important as having a dedicated home office. Changing the function of a room can make your work environment feel more pleasant for improved productivity. However, you may wish to keep the bedroom furniture ready to reinstate a spare bedroom in future. Renting a cheap storage unit for any beds, mattresses or wardrobes is an ideal solution.
If a return to the office seems very unlikely, you may have a whole wardrobe of business dress that is no longer required. Selling expensive suits, or donating work wear to charity, is a great way to free up valuable space.
Decluttering at Home
Although your social media might have been full of your friends’ incredible home improvements, garden transformations or new business ventures, you’re not alone if your achievements have felt less remarkable. Lockdown affected everyone differently, and if you were working from home, in charge of home schooling, or a keyworker, your personal life probably went on the backburner.
Decluttering doesn’t need to be an enormous task, especially if you break it down. One common mistake is to empty the entire contents of a wardrobe or room ready to sort out. This can be overwhelming and, frankly, demoralising! Start small, and empty just one drawer or cupboard. Don’t move on to another one until you have completely sifted through its contents, deciding what you want to keep. By working in this way, you can declutter effectively without creating a huge mess.
Gradual decluttering also means you have the capacity to deal with items you no longer need. Whether you decide to sell online, donate to charity or throw away, smaller volumes are easier to handle (and transport)!
Be Ruthless
It might feel hard but being ruthless will work in your favour. If you haven’t used something in a year, do you really need it? Obviously there will be some exceptions, such as mementoes and family heirlooms, but otherwise it might be time to let go.
Get up into your loft and have a good look at what you’ve been storing for all these years. If you’ve not been camping for a decade then it might be time to sell the tent and put the money towards something you really will use. If boxes are starting to get a bit damp up there, you may need to reconsider whether the loft is the best place for them. The last thing you want is for your items to become damp or mouldy. Moving them to a clean, dry storage unit could be a far better solution.
Get Organised
Once you’ve looked at the obvious areas of clutter such as kitchen cupboards or clothes storage, it’s time to turn your attention to other spaces. The airing cupboard can become a dumping ground for all sorts of household items. Towels and bedding may appear to multiply in here, and so having a clear out can be highly beneficial.
Think about how many duvet covers and sheets you really need, and then donate the rest. After this, move onto towels. For the items you do want to keep, vacuum storage bags are a great way to reduce the amount of space bedding and towels take up.
If you are looking to replace any furniture in 2021, consider purchasing items with in-built storage. Ottoman beds or storage sofas offer a tidy way to store shoes, blankets and household equipment without taking up any extra space.
If you have space for storage under the staircase, consider having drawers or shelves added to store shoes, coats and even suitcases.
Get Fit in 2021
For those who have set a fitness resolution, having a clutter clear-out could leave you with enough space for a home gym! Using your fitness room several times a week is far better than having a seldom used spare bedroom. If you have managed to sell any items as part of your clear out, it can be very rewarding to put this money towards purchasing any fitness equipment you’ve had your eye on. Moreover, your fitness equipment could work out cheaper than a costly ongoing gym membership.
If you can’t dedicate a whole room to your workouts, it is still satisfying to have a corner of space for your yoga mat and dumbbells. With the rise in popularity of YouTube fitness sessions (thanks Joe Wicks!), when you have space for a cardio workout, there’s no need to leave the house.
New Hobby
If 2020 has made you reassess your priorities, you may be keen to take up a new (or old) hobby. Whether fishing or camping, water sports or skiing, the paraphernalia for your chosen hobby can take up quite a bit of space. Rather than clutter your home, a storage room will ensure your precious new equipment remains pristine.
Financial Security
When resolving to become financially secure in 2021, it’s worth considering all of your outgoings. Stopping excess spending can be as simple as switching your energy provider, cancelling unnecessary direct debits and reconsidering any monthly subscriptions. Selling items whilst decluttering can create a healthy savings nest, too. If possible, set up an ISA or savings account to start saving a small amount each month. At the end of the year, you might be surprised by how much you’ve managed to save.
In addition, only place items that you really want to keep into self storage. This will allow you to rent the smallest possible unit at an affordable price.
Although none of us know what might be around the corner in 2021, setting out a few intentions for the year ahead may help you to make small, beneficial changes. To find out more about renting an affordable self storage unit in Fareham, contact us today.