Have you ever thought about all the things you own? Well, the actual amount probably doesn’t strike you unless you’re cleaning or packing things up. But think about it. Even if you live in a small room in a hostel in Jawahar Nagar, Delhi, there’s no limit to how much stuff you can accumulate. And in a small space it’s even more important to keep everything spick and span. So, if you’re ready to take on your yearly spring-cleaning routine, you’re on the right track. But before you get started, we wanted to offer you some helpful tips. Because while we’re used to decluttering our rooms occasionally, it’s usually only torn or ruined things that get thrown out. Well, it’s time to let go of your hoarding tendencies as we’re here to remind you about the items you’ve been forgetting to let go of. Let’s dive in.
Books
When you’re starting your room cleanse, it’s easy to pinpoint the overflowing wardrobes or kitchen counters. But what you could be forgetting while you’re tackling the obvious problems are the books that are overflowing on your shelves. And yes, we know that for some people the thought of getting rid of books is sacrilege. But do you really need every single one that you have? There are bound to be some old textbooks, instruction manuals or even multiple copies of a novel that you no longer have use for. And you don’t need to just throw them or give them away. Books are a great item for reselling, so you could declutter your shelves and earn some quick cash at the same time. Of course, if they’re too outdated to find buyers, you could opt for recycling them, or even creating some DIY book planters or book safes.
Jewellery
When’s the last time you sorted your jewellery box? This is one of the easiest items to forget about while decluttering your room. But the truth is, we all own more jewellery and accessories than we actually wear. So, while you’re Marie Kondo-ing the rest of your closet, don’t forget to go over your jewellery collection too. First discard any broken or discoloured items. Next, sort through the pieces that you no longer wear. If any of these are heirlooms that you’d like to keep, ensure they’re properly stored to prevent damage. Any costume jewellery that you’re no longer fond of but is still in good condition can easily be donated or sold online.
Your Fridge
This is an easy one to forget, as clutter is not what you’d associate with your fridge. And yet you could be hoarding a lot of old and expired items in your fridge shelves. So, this can be a chance for you to get rid of those almost empty ketchup and soda bottles and clear out the miscellaneous jars at the back of your friends. If you’ve got fresh produce that’s about to spoil, you could even challenge yourself to batch cook or meal prep some dishes for yourself to prevent any wastage. After all, decluttering can be hungry work.
Toiletries
How long have you been using your toothbrush for? How many spares do you have? Old personal care items like toothbrushes and loofahs can actually be breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. And we always tend to have more than we need. So while you’re decluttering, keep an eye out for old toiletries that are occupying unnecessary space in your bathroom or dresser. The same applies for make-up items that are really old or hardly ever worn. Will you ever need that bright green eyeshadow? What about the kajal pencil that’s down to a stub? Be honest with yourself and get rid of any old or unused items. You’ll be glad to have the increased space and you won’t miss out either.
Old gadgets
It’s 2021. You don’t need to be carrying around flip phones, MP3 players or DVDs. And you don’t really need to hold on to all your previous phones, earphones or laptops either. So the part of your room in which you’ve been hoarding all these devices should definitely be freed up. But maybe you’re confused about what to do with these gadgets? Well, the simple answer is recycle it. There are loads of NGOs and other organisations, such as Karma Recycling in Delhi, that will allow you to get rid of your devices. Or you could even use buy back offers that different companies have and exchange your old gadgets for new ones at the time of purchase.
Office supplies
Your PG in Shakarpur, Delhi shouldn’t look like the backroom of a photocopy shop. Don’t let all the old outdated paperwork build up. Sort through all the supplies you’ve been stashing in your room, segregate anything important into labeled folders, and work to discard the rest. You could sell them or recycle them or even try some DIY projects to breathe new life into them.
There you have it – the items in your room you’re likely to forget about when you start decluttering. And if you’re still having a hard time navigating through all that you’ve hoarded, don’t worry. There’s an easy way to get you through it. Just prioritise your most frequently used items, keep what needs minor repair work to be fixed, sell or donate anything that could be of value to others (even if it’s no longer something you use) and purge the rest. Now you’ll find it a lot easier to stay organised and live a clutter-free life.