We are all guilty of accumulating a bit too much and forgetting about it until we decide it’s time to tackle a big decluttering project. However, decluttering doesn’t always have to be an overwhelming task. Here are 25 small things to declutter if you want to clear your spaces (both physical and digital). I’ve also shared a digital checklist you can download to help you in your tiny but impactful decluttering tasks.
Kitchen
- Inventory your kitchen utensils and gadgets drawers for seldom used items or overly stained spatulas or wooden spoons.
- Check your cabinets for chipped or cracked dishes and serveware.
- Pantry clean out: the pantry can be a daunting place to declutter, so start small by checking the expiration dates on your items. When you eventually decide to tackle your full pantry, you’ll have less to work with.
- Takeout menus and utensils.
- Small appliances you never reach for.
Digital & Leisure
- Paid subscriptions: glance over your latest bank statements and look for the recurring charges. Sometimes we forget what we have signed up for or we might have forgotten to cancel free trials. Consider as well the subscriptions you don’t get enough use out of (cost vs benefit). Those monthly charges add up!
- Following list: go through your socials (pinterest, tiktok, instagram, etc…) and unfollow the accounts that no longer inspire or align with your interests.
- Email lists: look at your inbox from simply the past week to unsubscribe from a batch of sources (shops, newsletters, etc…) that clutter your inbox or that you never read.
- Apps: delete your unused apps. If it is on your home screen but you never use it, delete it.
- Make a new pinterest board that aligns with your vision upcoming year. This one is not exactly decluttering…shhh. However, I firmly believe that vision boards help you stay focused and keep your inspirations at the forefront of your mind. Continuously add to it throughout the year to visualize the spaces and inspirations you want around you. Eventually, your daily actions will more mindfully align with what serves your long-term vision, such as having an organized uncluttered space.
Beauty & Skincare
- Mascara tubes.
- Beauty sponges, powder puffs and facial razors.
- Clear the shower of old razors and loofahs.
- Packaging: I am guilty of hoarding aesthetic skincare and beauty product packaging and even the pretty empty jars when I finish products. Truth be told, all they do is take up space.
- Same as the pantry, start small. Simply consider expiration dates of your makeup and skincare. You can do a full declutter another time.
Miscellaneous
- Chargers for devices you no longer own. If you can’t remember what it was for, then you probably don’t need it.
- Jotted sticky note reminders: I call it my sticky note mountain. I collect them all periodically from around me and write the relevant ones on a single list. I personally need handwritten to do lists, alternatively you can use your notes app. Then, purge the sticky notes.
- Product manuals or assembly instructions: everything we buy nowadays comes with some sort of pamphlet. Most of them can all be found online in digital form. Similarly for assembly instructions, once you assemble it you usually never need it again.
- Seasonal decor: before you put away all your holiday decorations, consider whether there are items that you no longer want in your home. I love reusing my holiday items but there are certain pieces that you no longer enjoy. Donate them right away.
- Books you didn’t love and will never read again.
Handbag and Wallet
- Receipts left in your handbag.
- Gift cards: check the balances and consider adding the cards that can be digitally added to the wallet app on your phone. This makes them easier to use and clears out your physical wallet.
- Loose change: collect it all into a little pouch and put it in your car to pay for drive through coffees easily.
- Refresh your keychain: check for keys to old storage lockers or passes for gyms you aren’t a member of anymore.
- Clean up your purse essentials pouch by swapping out expired products such as pills and restocking items like feminine products, floss, lip care, hand cream and sanitizer.
Decluttering doesn’t need to become a full day project to be impactful. I hope this list helps you do a little bit today to clear your spaces. Don’t be afraid to toss the items, but remember that many items might simply no longer serve us. Donate or share with friends and family if possible!
