Lately, I’ve been trying to bring more intentionality into my life and have found that small steps of progress have been making a huge impact—friends, 5 minutes can change everything!
Often, it takes the most effort to just start a task. The focus of today’s blog is how to make those first 5 minutes easier. Generally, once I’ve made it through the first 5 minutes, the momentum of the task will either encourage me to keep going OR I can celebrate a job well done and enjoy my progress.
Here are a few ways that you can MAXIMIZE your inertia to get started on decluttering a space when you just don’t feel like it:
Start Small
Choose a small, manageable project or a goal that you can easily reach.
For example, a single drawer can be a great place to start because it can be completed quickly and the “before and after” of an organized vs. a messy drawer is obvious and satisfying.
Remember to deal with the items you declutter immediately—throw out the trash, bring items straight to their new home, and put the stuff you no longer want into a box to give away.
Challenge Yourself
Set a timer and turn decluttering into a high-speed challenge!
Seeing how much you can get done in a short time can ignite your inner competitive side and kick your decluttering into high gear. As someone who is naturally very competitive, I really enjoy this method because it turns decluttering into more of a game for me.
You’ll definitely be surprised by how much you get done!
Make It Fun
Put on your favourite playlist, podcast, or audiobook to accompany your decluttering! Whatever helps you increase the fun of the task to make it more enjoyable. I also like to grab a tasty snack or drink to accompany my decluttering efforts.
I’ve heard the term, “romanticizing your life,” where people put on music, a nicer outfit than normal, or find other little ways to be more present in their daily chores and tasks instead of mindlessly rushing through them. If you’re struggling to start decluttering a space, consider giving this tactic a try as well.
Treat Yourself
If you’re dragging your feet, use a basic reward system to accomplish your goal.
Choose a small reward for yourself if you complete your decluttering task. For example: if I declutter this area of my home, I’ll treat myself to an iced coffee afterward. It’s simple but very effective!
Even When It’s Difficult, It’s Worth It
This concept has many different names or phrases—from Nike’s, “Just Do It” slogan to “Eat The Frog,” coined by author Brian Tracy.
Regardless of what you call it, sometimes we have to do difficult things that we don’t want to do—that’s the truth of it.
Give yourself a little tough love, roll up your sleeves, and get to work! I promise the effort you make will be worth it. Not only will you be closer to achieving your decluttering goals, you’ll have paved the way to start a healthy habit, and challenged yourself to work through a difficult situation—all amazing things for us to implement into our lives!
Have you ever had difficulty starting a decluttering project? What did you do to work through it?
Little Minimalist on the Prairies 