Photo by Henry & Co on Unsplash.

We’ve all been there. First, you walk into your home and are immediately overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you have. Then, whenever you turn around, you buy more things and need help to keep up with the mess. 

Sound familiar? If so, don’t worry; you’re not alone. In fact, according to a recent study, the average American home has 300,000 items in it! 

That’s a lot of stuff to keep track of.

Seven years ago, we began de-owning our excess, making a world of difference. 

Since then, we’ve decluttered our home, simplifying my life. 

Let me tell you; it has been amazing! Not only do I have more time for family and important stuff, but I also don’t have the stress of constantly trying to keep up with our stuff. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your belongings, also consider de-owning. 

Fortunately, there is a way to take control of your stuff and your life. 

Here are some tips that helped me on my journey to de-owning my excess. Hopefully, they’ll help you too!

Start with baby steps.

The first step is to recognize that you have a problem. This may seem obvious, but it’s an essential first step. 

Once you’re aware of the issue, you can begin to take steps to change your relationship with your stuff. 

However, don’t try to do it all at once. Instead, start small and work your way up. For example, begin by removing one thing you don’t use or need every day. 

Once you’ve done that, move on to two things, three, and so on. You’ll be surprised how quickly the process goes once you start!

Be ruthless.

Be ruthless when deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. 

If you haven’t used something in six months (or longer), chances
are you don’t need it. 

Don’t let sentimentality cloud your judgment—you can always take photos of items that have sentimental value but that you don’t need to keep around the house. The goal is to streamline your life so that it is simpler and less cluttered.

Create a system that works for you.

One of the keys to success is finding a system that works for you and then sticking to it. For example, some people prefer to declutter room by room, while others prefer to do it by category (e.g., clothes, books, kitchen items). 

There is no right or wrong answer here—it’s whatever works best for you and your lifestyle. Once you’ve decided on a system, stick with it until the job is done!

Here are some of the benefits that you can expect to experience after you start cleaning up your place:

More Time for What Matters Most

When you have less stuff, you have less to manage and less to clean. 

This frees up your time to focus on what’s really important in your life. 

For us, that means more time with my wife and kids. But it could also mean more time for your hobbies or pursuits outside the home.

Less stress and anxiety

Another benefit of de-owning is that it can help reduce stress and anxiety. When we’re constantly surrounded by clutter, it can be overwhelming. 

But when our spaces are clean and uncluttered, it’s much easier to relax and feel at peace. So if reducing stress is something that you’re looking for, de-owning may be the answer. 

Improved Relationships

De-owning can also lead to improved relationships. When not bogged down by stuff, we can focus more on our relationships with others. 

We can be more present and engaged in conversations and less likely to get into arguments about who will clean up the mess. 

If your relationships are essential to you, de-owning may be a step in the right direction. 

Conclusion: 

There are so many benefits that come from de-owning your excess belongings. If you’re overwhelmed by your stuff, I encourage you to consider decluttering your home. You may find that it simplifies your life in ways you never imagined possible!

By decluttering your home, you can remove the physical and emotional clutter so you can focus on what matters most—your relationships. 

Declutter can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Set aside sometime each day, start with easy-to-let-go items, and don’t be afraid to let go of sentimental items. 

Once you’ve decluttered your home, commit to keeping it that way by regularly getting rid of any new items coming in.