1. TALK ABOUT IT BEFOREHAND
It’s easy to make assumptions about why your family isn't on board with decluttering (laziness usually being the main one!) yet there’s all manner of reasons why they might be holding back, some you may even be able to resolve. Perhaps they’re not sure where to start, or how to declutter while feeling overwhelmed. Maybe they struggle with decision-making or find decluttering sentimental items too emotional. Whatever the reason, feeling supported can make letting go of stuff a lot easier. Take the time to talk things through beforehand and come up with a decluttering checklist that everyone is comfortable with. ‘The key is to foster a sense of teamwork and shared responsibility. By making the process inclusive and considering everyone's perspective, you're more likely to gain cooperation in decluttering endeavors, perhaps even get a little hands-on help with it, too if you’re lucky!’ says Karina Toner, cleaning expert at Spekless Cleaning.
2. BE OPEN TO COMPROMISE
It’s important you remember that not everyone’s decluttering and home organizing ideas are going to line up perfectly. Your tolerance of clutter might be very different to that of your teenagers', for example! This isn’t a bad thing, but it can be tricky when you’re all living in one house. If you want to keep the peace, you’ll need to compromise.
3. LEAD BY EXAMPLE
As we’ve already mentioned, decluttering on behalf of somebody else is a big no-no, so take the opportunity to focus solely on your own belongings, you can do what you want with those. Make a point of separating them out from other family member’s items and work through them methodically, category by category. ‘It might feel a bit selfish, but it’s for the greater good – doing something productive will help take the pressure off, and seeing positive results could inspire the rest of your family to join in, too, or at least set a good example for the future!’ says Millie
4. KEEP IT SIMPLE...
If it’s the hassle and upheaval that puts your family off, prove that it’s possible to declutter without making a mess, and that it can be done quickly and efficiently, too.
5. ...AND START SMALL
Piling on the pressure is the worst thing you can do, so start small. Completed coloring books, holey socks, stained t-shirts, broken toys… these sorts of items are easy to discard, they’re more like trash, really. Reframing it in this way, as ‘tidying’ rather than ‘decluttering’ can help to remove the overwhelm. As your family becomes familiar with this process, you can start to build it up. Next time you declutter, ask them to seek out duplicates, too. Then move on to more sentimental items, such as soft toys or clothes.
6. MAKE IT FUN
‘Most of us can spot a guilt-trip or a high-pressure tactic a mile away and it makes us run in the opposite direction. The key to a successful family decluttering session is to keep things light, positive and fun,' says professional organizer Jessica Rogers, founder of Peaceful Home Organizing. Decluttering doesn’t have to be a chore; create a party atmosphere by sticking on some music and getting refreshments on the go – enjoy making new family memories as you remember the old ones!
7. START BY ORGANIZING, RATHER THAN DECLUTTERING
As a general rule, we’d always advise decluttering before you start organizing. However, if you’re dealing with a household of hoarders, a bit of gentle ‘rearranging’ (with the promise that you won’t get rid of anything) can be a good first step towards a more orderly home.
8. OFFER TO HELP
You can’t declutter for them, but you can certainly offer to help. Don’t be offended if they say no, but if they do say yes, go easy – this is your chance to show that decluttering isn’t all that bad, and the skills you pass on could last a lifetime. 'Consider setting up some clear glass jars, such as these from Amazon, so that people can tally up their decluttering wins with beads or marbles', says Millie. ‘This is great for both children and adults. It may sound silly, but it's a great way to register the satisfaction of completing a task and motivate you to clean and declutter in the future.'
9. DON’T GIVE UP
'Consistency is key. Let your family see this isn’t just a passing phase, but a new lifestyle for you. As they see you hold on to new habits, they may adopt them as well – or at least respect your progress!’ says Jessica.