How to declutter my bedroom

start with the definite that you do not want, separate in to piles....garbage...sell..donate and keep going

Are you motivated to have a nice closet or just disgusted with the mess? Motivation will succeed when clutter fights back. My opinion is that bedroom closets should only be for clothes & accessories - it is not general storage - that's what happened in your closet, you looked at it as a storage place rather than a place for your clothing. If you are on board with my opinion, then, once you clear this closet it will remain that way. Ready? Empty all the trashcans in your house, bring them to that closet and fill them with junk mail, damaged goods, school papers, etc. Trash bags quickly become too heavy and tear. Step two: you haul them to your outside trash bins. Fill and empty. Ahh, feel the relief, the weight is lifting. When, not if, those outside bins are full, what are your options to keep moving the stuff outside?

Do one pile at a time. When you try to do everything at once, you get overwhelmed. It took 10 years to make the mess, so don't beat yourself up. Start in 15-30 minute increments. Set a timer. If you want to continue, do it. If you are fatigued or panicking, stop when the timer goes off.

Since you are already feeling overwhelmed, take before pictures. I suggest you start with your unpacked boxes. Do 1 at a time. Technically, you shouldn't need the contents, since you have not used them in 10 years. Don't reminisce or overthink it, just quickly sort. As Janet said, sort the contents into boxes or bins: garbage/sell/donate, and "maybe " if you can't decide.

When I did this, I ended up getting rid of some of the maybe pile the next day, because I could see the junk going down, and it motivated me.

If you have a vehicle, fill your car every time you declutter, with the donate boxes, and get rid of them as soon as your car is full. This prevents you from 2nd guessing.

Get rid of your college papers. Trust me, you won't need them. Shred them with your junk mail and magazine labels. You can take them to Staples to shred for a fee. Put the old magazines straight into the recycling bin (remove address labels 1st). You can find almost everything online now, you don't need them.

You don't need more than 2-3 (max if you have kids) sheet sets per bed. Animal shelters often take blankets, sheets and towels.

In the meantime, don't buy anything new. Keep going. I personally don't like moving everything out and then sorting, because I am just moving the mess. Some people however prefer that method, to have a peaceful space right away. It is entirely up to you.

BTW, I like listening to music for productivity/motivation on YouTube. It really helps!

You can do this, and will be very successfull. Don't give up!

https://www.hometalk.com/board/7151196/buh-bye-clutter

Start by purging what you haven't used.... donate it. Throw out what your never going to use again like college papers. Donate blankets to local homeless support organization.

Then organize your closet, add a second rod.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LimIOo_cuTA I move the top shelf up and then use plastic crates to store out of season clothing.

Add underbed storage if you need a place for extra bedding like plastic underbed boxes or use old drawers on mini rollers, or they even make canvas zippered bags.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmw8kC1LHr4

You just have to dive in, focus and you may also like my tips for downsizing. I went tiny and even though my clean up may be a bit extreme you may find them helpful because I'm a firm believer decluttering begins with the closet.

https://www.gardenupgreen.com/2017/07/how-to-downsize-for-tiny-living.html

I agree with others - break it into small chunks that you can do in a set period of time that will not overwhelm you. set a timer and devote that time to the project completely, even if it's just ten minutes at a time. have trash bags on hand and once you decide to get rid of stuff get it out of your house ASAP before you can change your mind.

I keep the paper stuff in tubs under the bed. Blankets go in the linen closet or the spare bedroom closet. Anything that wont mold goes in the garage. There are tons of ways to organize and redo the closet on here and Pinterest. I redid mine twice and now I’m happy with the result. Still once like every other month I go thru and pull stuff out and sort and give away stuff. We live in Florida but we are from Ohio so I keep. “ northern clothes “ in a dresser in the attic for when we need warm weather stuff. Good luck and post before and after so ypu can get all the accolades which help you to move forward next time.

LIsa -- it's a -- don't try to do it all at one time .. step by step process -- 1. if you don't use it every day, put it away!

2. bite the bullet and go thru those 10 year old boxes... if it's of SERIOUS sentimental value, keep it; if not -- you haven't used/needed it 10 years, you don't need it now!

3. EVERYTHING has a place and everything IN it's place

4. stuff in your bedroom should only be related to THE BEDROOM ... clothes you will wear during 'the season'; jewelry, shoes that go with the seasonal wardrobe, And be relentless -- donate to organizations that resell stuff; or have a yard sale -- and what doesn't sell, THROW IT AWAY!! -- it's really a life style change ... but you can do it, and will be so much happier if not stressed by all that 'stuff'.

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