6 Things I’m Challenging Myself To Declutter This September And Why It Matters
September feels like a fresh start, doesn’t it? As summer winds down and routines reset, I’m tackling the chaos that’s slowly taken over my living space.
My designer instincts are screaming for simplicity, while my home keeps collecting stuff that no longer serves a purpose. This month, I’m challenging myself to six specific decluttering projects that will transform both my space and mindset.
What works for me might look different for you. Feel free to adapt these ideas to fit your own pace and priorities.
1. Worn-Out Throw Pillows And Blankets
How many sad, shapeless pillows are currently lounging on your sofa? Mine have definitely seen better days, squished, stained, and completely losing their decorative appeal.
Those throw pillows were once the perfect accent pieces, bringing color and texture to my living room. Now they’re just taking up space and collecting dust bunnies.
Letting go of these fabric friends means making room for fresh textures that actually enhance my space rather than dragging it down.
2. Broken Or Outdated Lighting Fixtures
Lurking in my closets are at least three lamps with wonky switches and outdated shades from 2010. Why do I keep these energy vampires around when they don’t even work properly?
Broken lighting fixtures create frustrating dark spots in rooms where I need brightness the most. Each time I flip that temperamental switch, I’m reminded of the unnecessary stress these items bring.
Time to illuminate my life by removing these dysfunctional pieces and bringing in fixtures that actually brighten my mood, not just my rooms.
3. Excess Decorative Knick-Knacks
Where did all these tiny ceramic animals come from? My shelves have become wildlife preserves for dusty figurines that lost their charm years ago.
Decorative knick-knacks multiply mysteriously, filling every available surface with items I no longer notice. Each one requires cleaning and rearranging, stealing time I could spend enjoying my space.
Selecting just a few meaningful pieces will create breathing room and highlight what truly matters in my design scheme, allowing my favorite items to finally shine.
4. Unused Small Appliances And Kitchen Gadgets
Did that fancy egg slicer really deserve prime cabinet real estate for three years without being used once? My kitchen drawers have become graveyards for single-purpose gadgets.
Unused appliances create a frustrating game of cabinet Tetris every time I cook. The bread maker, ice cream machine, and that specialized avocado tool take up valuable space while collecting greasy dust.
Clearing these culinary dead weights will transform my cooking experience from cluttered chaos to streamlined satisfaction, making room for tools I actually use daily.
5. Old Or Damaged Furniture Pieces
Though I’ve grown oddly attached to that wobbly side table, it’s time to admit it’s more hazard than heirloom. Damaged furniture pieces linger in corners, promising future repairs that never happen.
Old furniture can drain a room’s energy and create visual clutter even when the space is otherwise tidy. These pieces often become dumping grounds for other clutter, multiplying the problem.
Releasing these broken items creates space for furniture that functions properly and contributes positively to my home’s flow and aesthetic.
6. Tangled Or Obsolete Electronics And Cords
If you opened my junk drawer right now, you’d find the technological equivalent of spaghetti, a nest of unidentified charging cables for devices I no longer own. Why do I keep these mysterious black cords?
Tangled electronics create unnecessary frustration when I’m searching for the one cable I actually need. Each abandoned charger, outdated adapter, and mystery cord represents mental clutter as much as physical mess.
Sorting and eliminating this electronic graveyard will simplify my daily routines and free me from the weird guilt of hoarding useless technology.
