We sometimes underestimate the influence of little things. – Charles W. Chestnutt
Some of you have discovered my website because you want to completely declutter your home. Others really have no interest. No matter why you are here, I am glad you are!
I have been thinking a lot lately about how the small things contribute to the overall happiness inside my home. Too many curly plastic straws stuffed into the utensil drawer. Picking through a hundred odd-sized band-aids to find the right one. Those pile of batteries you think still have juice but you’re to too lazy to check them.
We might think these small things have no impact on our lives but we are fooling ourselves. From minor daily annoyances to the feeling of overwhelm, all these little things add up. And they lead to a more disorganized, less happy home. Don’t be fooled by their size, these types of declutter can have more of an impact than you could ever imagine.
The Secret to a Happy Home: Remove the Small Things
Today I want to share with you the secret to making your home a more enjoyable, efficient living space. We may think removing bookshelves and extra clothes and unused treadmills are the best ways to declutter our home… and life. But what if it’s the little things that matter most? Those small inconsequential’s have more of an impact than you may think.
The project I have for today is for EVERYONE! Whether you are a minimalist like me, like a little chaos in the home or are struggling with too much stuff, we could all benefit from removing some small things from our living space. And here’s the best part…. it’s easy to tackle these minor annoyances. There is often little emotional attachment, our investment in them is minimal and they are easy to pack away and send somewhere elsewhere.
Where to Start and What to Do with the “Stuff”
Below is a printable you can use to start removing the small things from your home. Print it out and cross them off as you go. Keep in mind that some things are worth throwing in the trash and somethings can be useful to someone else. A free clinic could use band-aids and other small medical supplies. A craft friend may enjoy your buttons or other notions. Post-It notes and extra markers can go to school for teachers to use. Gift bags are welcomed at churches or other organizations that may send small gifts to those in need. And those nearly empty bottles of shampoo… well those can go right in the trash.
After the Big LITTLE Purge
It’s easy to let the small things creep back in. In fact, it is one of the hardest areas in my house to keep under control. Try staying on top of things by going through a drawer or a cabinet every now and again. Or, better yet, keep vigilant all year long by recognizing what little things bother you most and removing them as they come in or are used up. Even the Decluttering Queen has to reign in the small clutter every now and again!
Like Yogi Berra said…. “Little things are BIG”
