In the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, it's all too easy for clutter to creep in and take over our spaces. When every minute counts and obligations pile up, the last thing on our minds is organising and decluttering. However, the good news is that you don't need a massive chunk of time to tackle clutter effectively. In this post, we'll explore practical and time-efficient strategies to reduce clutter even when your schedule is jam-packed.

Avoid the "Temporary" Trap

How many times have you caught yourself saying, "I'll just put it here for now"? This habit can quickly lead to the formation of small clutter mountains. Instead, make a conscious effort to find a designated spot for your belongings or take a mere 30 seconds to put them back where they belong. Small actions now can prevent overwhelming clutter later.

Utilise Micro-Moments

Take advantage of those brief intervals in your day – the two minutes waiting on a phone call, the one-minute waiting for water to boil, or the 30 seconds while the microwave is humming. Use these snippets of time to tidy up. Pick up 1 to 10 items and return them to their designated places. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can make a difference in your surroundings by making use of these minutes which are otherwise lost.

Incorporate Decluttering into Routine Transitions

Make putting things away a habit during transitional moments in your day. Whether it's before leaving the house, when arriving home, or before moving on to a new task, take a few moments to tidy up. These small, consistent efforts can prevent clutter from accumulating and maintain a sense of order in your spaces.

Embrace Imperfection

The key to successfully decluttering when busy is not to aim for perfection. Instead of overwhelming yourself with the goal of clearing everything, focus on small, manageable tasks. Put away a handful of items or do one thing well each time you have a moment. Over time, these incremental efforts add up, leading to a more organised and clutter-free environment.

One piece of clutter at a time

Have you heard the story of the man who moved the mountain? He did it one pebble at a time. The same principle applies to decluttering – it's about taking small, consistent actions. By implementing these practical tips into your busy routine, you can reclaim control over your spaces and create a more organised and harmonious living or working environment. Don't let the busyness of life be an excuse for clutter; instead, let it be the motivation to conquer clutter one moment at a time.

Note: part of this article was originally an Illawarra mercury article updated and refreshed in 2023