{"id":183593,"date":"2018-07-31T17:01:20","date_gmt":"2018-07-31T21:01:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/?p=183593"},"modified":"2018-07-31T17:01:20","modified_gmt":"2018-07-31T21:01:20","slug":"decluttering-after-breakup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/design\/decluttering-after-breakup","title":{"rendered":"An organizing expert shares 7 tips for decluttering your space after a breakup"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Photo: James Bombales<\/em><\/p>\n

Breakups often leave us with dirty tissues, empty pints of Ben & Jerry\u2019s and that dreaded cardboard box of our ex\u2019s belongings. Cutting down on clutter after a split can be a cathartic experience, but for many, it gives rise to a whole host of feelings \u2014 sadness, anger, frustration, hopelessness. \u201cClutter puts an emotional burden on you when it\u2019s just sitting there,\u201d explains Rachael Stafford, President and Principal Organizer\/Stager at <\/span>Order In The House<\/span><\/a>. If you\u2019re looking to rid your home of bad breakup ju-ju, follow these seven expert decluttering tips (and maybe get yourself a ceremonial sage bundle).<\/span><\/p>\n\n

1. Identify sentimental clutter<\/b><\/h2>\n

\u201cSentimental items are those that remind us of a particular event or person, or were given to us by someone special,\u201d says Stafford. \u201cThese items become sentimental clutter when they no longer bring us joy or we feel obliged to hold onto them.\u201d Getting rid of a painting your ex made for you will not erase that memory, it\u2019ll just clear up valuable space in your storage unit. Take a photo of the item if you must, and donate it to a local thrift shop \u2014\u00a0then pray your ex isn\u2019t the next Gerhard Richter.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Resist the urge to burn your ex\u2019s belongings<\/b><\/h2>\n

\u201cI suggest giving your ex their belongings back,\u201d says Stafford. \u201cObviously after a breakup we\u2019re often angry or hurt, and we may do things out of that anger. If you throw out your ex\u2019s belongings you may regret that later.\u201d If an item does belong to you, but harbors painful memories, donate or dispose of it. \u201cIf you\u2019re not ready for such drastic change, pack up some of the more sentimental items into one or two boxes \u2014 not a whole truckload \u2014 and store them away until you\u2019re ready to go through them in the future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo: James Bombales<\/em><\/p>\n

3. Don\u2019t rush to discard <\/b>all<\/i><\/b> the sentimental items<\/b><\/h2>\n

\u201cSometimes we part ways with someone because we need a break or the timing just isn\u2019t right, and eventually you get back together in a healthier version of the relationship,\u201d says Stafford. If there\u2019s a chance you will reconnect in the future, Stafford warns against discarding certain sentimental or high-value items, such as photos or jewelry. \u201cIf you\u2019re really struggling with just one or a few items, it doesn\u2019t hurt to hold onto them and then set a reminder to check back in in a couple months to see if you\u2019re now ready to let them go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Know when to ask for help<\/b><\/h2>\n

\u201cA friend or a professional organizer can be impartial and ask you why you\u2019re struggling to let go of an item,\u201d notes Stafford. \u201cThey can help you reflect on what\u2019s holding you back so you can make a decision.\u201d Inviting a friend over or making an appointment with a professional organizer also forces you to allot time for decluttering. \u201cWe live such busy lives, when we have a moment of free time, the last thing we want to do is declutter,\u201d says Stafford. Scheduling a date and time makes it that much harder to put off. Stafford says it\u2019s best to go the professional route if \u201cthe clutter is causing you a lot of overwhelming anxiety\u201d or has \u201cbeen on your to-do list for some time and you still haven\u2019t gotten to it.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

5. Sanitize your online presence<\/b><\/h2>\n

\u201cOur social profiles should reflect who we are, as well as the people and things that we love,\u201d says Stafford. \u201cIt\u2019s okay to include photos from the past, but they should reflect who you are today.\u201d If you think that so-called \u201cblind date\u201d your coworker set you up with hasn\u2019t creeped through the past five years of your Instagram feed, you are sadly mistaken. \u201cI think that we should keep our profiles current, relevant and tasteful for the public,\u201d says Stafford. \u201cIf you\u2019ve just gone through a divorce and you have kids, you may not want to erase the father of your children off your Facebook page, but it\u2019s best to take down wedding photos or other romantic moments.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo: James Bombales<\/em><\/p>\n

6. Start small if you\u2019re feeling all the #feels<\/b><\/h2>\n

\u201cDecluttering after a breakup could potentially be very emotional, so I would suggest choosing a specific area and allocating the right amount of time to complete that project from start to finish,\u201d says Stafford. \u201cStart with a drawer or a small closet, enlist someone to help and give yourself one hour.\u201d Stafford also laments the importance of taking breaks. \u201cRecharge and reflect on the decisions you still have to make, the decluttering process, and how you feel you\u2019re doing so far,\u201d she notes.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Banish bad energy<\/b><\/h2>\n

\u201cClutter holds onto negative energy,\u201d explains Stafford. \u201cGetting rid of it allows new positive energy to flow through your home.\u201d Misery loves company, and surrounding yourself with mementos that evoke feelings of sadness will prevent you from moving on or finding joy. \u201cRidding yourself of that clutter will bring new opportunities into your life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cutting down on clutter after a split can be a cathartic experience, but for many, it gives rise to a whole host of 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