Clear out correctly: You should definitely avoid these mistakes when sorting out!

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Clear out correctly: You should definitely avoid these mistakes when sorting out!

At the beginning of the year, many people's desire for a real clear-out campaign increases. So that the whole thing doesn't end in frustration, we have collected the most common mistakes when sorting out for you - with tips on how best to avoid them.

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As soon as the Christmas decorations are put away, do you always feel like cleaning up and clearing out in January? Such a fresh start to the new year is just good.

Sometimes sorting out things is anything but fun - especially when it creates a bigger mess than before. So before you completely turn your apartment upside down, you should read through these mistakes that almost everyone makes when decluttering.

Reading tips:

You're taking on too much at once

Do you want to throw yourself into the fray straight away and start clearing out without a plan? Not a good idea! Most people underestimate how time-consuming sorting out can be. Cleaning out the living room, closet and basement in one day is almost impossible - and only leads to frustration and a bad mood.

It's better to divide the clean-up operation over different days or weekends. And only focus on one room or area at a time - for example just the bookshelf or the pantry. The idea of ​​only tackling one room at a time comes from tidying expert Marie Kondo.You can find her book “Magic Cleaning” on Amazon here*.

You are starting a new construction site too quickly

While sorting out something in the bedroom, did you discover something that actually belongs in the living room? On the way there you will find a glass of water in the hallway that needs to go into the kitchen. And then you notice that your shelf is full of different cups that urgently need to be sorted out.

Stop, stop! Don't start new construction sites everywhere. Otherwise there will be even more chaos than before.

So that you don't get distracted when sorting out things that actually belong somewhere else, you can temporarily store them in a laundry basket or a bag. Don't move them to the right room until you've finished decluttering your current area.

Also read:

You let sentimental items stop you

It happens faster than you think: you go through a box while clearing out and suddenly a lot of memories come flooding back. The triggers are diverse. Everything from clothing to homemade decorations from childhood to souvenirs can be included. And all of a sudden you really want to get rid of the thing that you haven't given much thought to in the last few years.

Sentimental items can really slow you down when sorting out. Here's how to deal with it:

  • You don't have to decide immediately for or against something. First, collect the items with emotional value that you are unsure about in a separate box.
  • Sorts out as normal. Don't look at the box until the very end.
  • Ask yourself the right questions for each item. Would you really miss it if you lost it? Do you have something multiple times but only need it once? Does it bring you joy?
  • Put together a memory box with the things that are truly unique. For example, instead of keeping every single cuddly toy from childhood, only the favorite item goes into the box. The rest is donated. You can store emotionally valuable things such as letters or photos in an album (Here you can find a nice photo album to design yourself on Amazon*) collect them or give them new value in a picture frame in the living room.

You don't respect the things of your fellow human beings

Are you really in the clearing out craze? Once you start, it can be hard to stop. Things that have piled up and become dusty have to go, go, go.

Unless you live in a single-person household, there are probably a lot of things in your apartment that belong to someone else. Whether you're a roommate or a partner, you should definitely respect other people's belongings and not start cleaning them out on your own without asking them first. Even better: tackle the sorting process together.

Also read:

You spend too long selling

Yay! You've finally finished cleaning out. Now all you have to do is dispose of the discarded items... But didn't the things cost so much money?

Sometimes it's hard not to think about the money you've spent on things that you're just getting rid of. Simply throwing everything away feels wasteful. You could sell them instead, right?

Reading tips:

Of course you can sell what you have sorted out on online portals. But don't spend too long on this and carefully consider which used items are worth the time and effort. Photographing everything, describing it and negotiating with buyers takes a lot of time - and often a lot of nerves.

If you still want to sell something, you should set a firm deadline. If the items are not sold by then, give them away or donate them. Because otherwise your basement will be full of lots of stuff that you don't actually need.