Hi everyone, and welcome back to the Stay at Home Mum podcast with me, Lisa! Today, I want to talk about something that always helps me when I feel overwhelmed—decluttering. Clearing out unnecessary items from my home not only helps me stay organized but also reduces my stress levels.
Recently, I spent a week in the hospital with my little one, which was incredibly stressful. Now that I’m back, both kids are napping (a rare moment!), and I’m using this time to declutter and regain a sense of control. In this blog, I’ll share my personal decluttering process, tips, and the benefits of tidying up your home.
This blog post is all about Declutter to Free Your Mind: A Stay-at-Home Mum’s Guide to Reducing Stress.
The Mental Benefits of Decluttering
Decluttering isn’t just about creating more space—it’s about improving mental clarity and reducing stress. When we have less stuff, there’s less to clean, organize, and move around. This makes daily life much easier and more manageable, especially as a busy stay-at-home mum.
How to Start Decluttering: My Step-by-Step Process
1. Start Small: One Cupboard at a Time
Trying to declutter your entire home in one go can be overwhelming. Instead, I focus on one small area at a time. Today, I tackled my airing cupboard and nursery storage.
- Identify items you haven’t used in a long time
- Look for things that are worn out, broken, or redundant
- Remove items and put them in designated piles (sell, donate, or discard)
2. Sell or Donate Unused Items
I like to list items on platforms like Vinted or eBay to make a little extra money. If they don’t sell, I donate them to a local charity shop.
3. Create an Organized System
I use labeled storage tubs to keep everything tidy and categorized. For example, in my daughters’ nurseries, I have tubs for:
- Clothes they’ve outgrown
- Bedding and linens
- Nappies (both current and ones they’ll grow into)
4. Tackle Duplicates
Somehow, I’ve accumulated multiple bottles of cleaning products, nail polishes, and even baby towels (which I rarely use). If I have two of the same thing, I decide which one to keep and let the other go.
5. Simplify Laundry with a Sock Strategy
Matching tiny socks is time-consuming, so I’ve decided to only buy white socks for my kids from now on. This way, I don’t have to pair them up—they’ll all match automatically!
6. Reorganize for Efficiency
Instead of having my nail care products spread out in multiple locations, I gathered everything into one box. Now, I know exactly where to find them when I need them. This principle applies to toiletries, kitchen items, and toys as well.
7. Use Storage Solutions That Work for You
IKEA and B&M have great storage bins and drawer dividers that make organization easy. In my daughters’ nursery, I use:
- Drawer partitions for nappies, wipes, creams, socks, and vests
- Fabric tubs for bibs, outgrown clothes, and books
- Hidden storage for toys to keep the room tidy
The Long-Term Benefits of Decluttering
Decluttering is not a one-time thing—it’s a continuous process. However, once you start, it gets easier, and maintaining an organized home becomes second nature. Here are some long-term benefits:
- Less Cleaning Time – Fewer items mean less dusting and rearranging.
- Easier Access to Essentials – No more digging through piles to find what you need.
- A Calmer, More Enjoyable Space – A tidy home creates a peaceful atmosphere.
Final Thoughts: Give It a Try!
If you feel overwhelmed by clutter, start small. Choose one cupboard, one wardrobe, or even just a drawer. The more you declutter, the easier it becomes!
I’d love to hear how decluttering helps you. Connect with me on Instagram at Stay at Home Mum Podcast. Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you in the next episode/blog post!
Happy decluttering!
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