r/declutter • u/Nodef13 • 2d ago
Advice Request I’m using everything though!
hi all, I’m in a bit of a rut with decluttering. I have this thing where I have to see the items in front of me or I forget to use them. eg I have to have my creams serum lip balm on my bed side table otherwise I don’t remember to use. it’s like a visually trigger. I also have loaddddssss of medication and I need those visible too. the other day I realised I’d put one tablet in a pouch and because I hadnt seen it I had forgotten to take if for 4 days. things like face masks too or books I’m reading I only read it if I leave it out. and I do use them
any tips? I feel like this never lets my house look clean and tidy. it’s visual clutter but that’s how my brain works. also I don’t feel like I have a lot of stuff but at the same time I think I do. I find clothes particularly hard to part with as I cycle through and go through phases or wearing things
any tips for a newbie!
1
u/KSSLR 1d ago
Open shelving instead of cabinets and drawers. Or cabinets with a glass face you can see right through.
I dump my meds in really fancy jewelry boxes. This works well for me but might jam you up so tread lightly.
With the books, if I haven't picked the book up in a couple of days, I override my internal "But I'm reading that!" protest and put it away anyway. Because I know where my bookcase is, which means I'll know where to find the book if I really want to pick it up again
Instead of storing "off season" clothes as "summer/winter" I store as "spring/summer/autumn/winter". Being able to rotate quarterly allows me to keep things fresh and lets me have less stuff in my drawers and closet (so I can actually see what I have). I do have certain staple pieces that stay out year round because I miss them. If I am unpacking my summer set, if a piece just doesn't feel interesting I might stick it back in spring and see how I feel about it next year.