Decluttering tips are literally saving my butt right now, ‘cause my tiny Chicago apartment is a straight-up disaster zone. I’m sprawled on my creaky IKEA couch, surrounded by random junk—old magazines, a busted umbrella, and some mystery charger I’m too paranoid to toss ‘cause, like, what if I need it? The air smells like stale coffee and my bad life choices, and I’m sitting here wondering how I let it get this bad. I’m no Marie Kondo—trust me, I’m a walking trainwreck—but I’ve stumbled into some storage ideas that actually work for someone as disorganized as me. Here’s my totally honest, slightly embarrassing take on decluttering, straight from my messy life in the US. I’m gonna ramble, I’m gonna mess up, but bear with me, okay?
My Biggest Decluttering Fails (And What I Figured Out)
Okay, real talk: I once thought I could “declutter” by shoving everything into one giant bin under my bed. Worst idea ever. I ended up with a gross pile of scarves, a random pizza cutter (why do I even own that?), and some expired coupons that smelled like regret. It was like a landfill under there, and I’m not proud. That fail taught me decluttering tips aren’t just about hiding stuff—it’s about storage ideas that actually make sense for my chaotic brain. Like, I need to see my stuff, or I’ll forget it exists and buy another charger. This post from The Spruce totally gets it—hiding clutter just makes it worse.
Here’s what I learned from my screw-ups:
- Don’t buy cute bins first. I blew $50 on baskets that were way too small. Measure your stuff before you shop, duh.
- Start small. I tried to declutter my whole kitchen in one day and ended up crying into a pile of mismatched Tupperware lids.
- Be brutal but real. I kept a broken lamp ‘cause it was “vintage.” Spoiler: it was just trash.
Decluttering Tips That Keep Me Sane(ish)
So, my apartment’s still not Pinterest-worthy, but these decluttering tips and storage ideas keep it from looking like a thrift store exploded. I’m no expert—half the time I’m tripping over my own bins—but these hacks work for me, flaws and all.
Clear Bins Are My New Obsession
I’m legit obsessed with clear storage bins now. I snagged some cheap ones from Target, and they’re a lifesaver ‘cause I can see what’s inside without digging through a mess. I keep my art supplies—colored pencils, half-used sketchbooks, random washi tape—in one under my coffee table. It’s not fancy, but it gets the job done. I slap labels on with painter’s tape and a Sharpie so I can change it up without ruining the bin. Container Store’s tips have some dope ideas if you’re into this.
Go Vertical or Bust
My apartment has, like, zero closet space, so I went vertical. I paid my buddy Jake to screw some IKEA shelves into my bedroom wall ‘cause I’m hopeless with a drill. Now I’ve got baskets up there for scarves, hats, and those random cords I’m too scared to toss. It’s like my clutter got a promotion to wall art. Vertical storage ideas are a must for tiny spaces, and Apartment Therapy has some sick inspo if you’re stuck.
Repurpose Your Random Stuff
I’m cheap, so buying all new storage stuff ain’t happening. I started using an old suitcase for my winter clothes—rolled up tight, they fit perfect. It’s under my bed, and I feel like a dang genius every time I open it. Also, those jars from my kombucha phase? They’re now holding pens and loose change on my desk. It’s weird, but it’s my weird, ya know?
Decluttering Is a Freaking Emotional Rollercoaster
Here’s the real tea: decluttering isn’t just about storage ideas—it’s emotional as hell. I found an old journal from 2019 while cleaning my bookshelf, and I legit sat on the floor bawling over my terrible handwriting and worse life choices. Like, who was that girl? But it also felt kinda good to let go of stuff that wasn’t me anymore. I kept one journal for the vibes but tossed the rest, and it was like a weight lifted. Decluttering tips are about making space for who you are now, not who you were. This Psychology Today article totally nails why it’s so heavy sometimes.
My Top 3 Storage Ideas for Decluttering Newbies
If you’re overwhelmed like I was (and still am, let’s be real), try these:
- Under-Bed Storage: Get flat, clear bins for under your bed. I keep extra bedding and shoes there now. No more mystery junk.
- Multi-Use Furniture: My coffee table’s got shelves for magazines and remotes. It’s like a storage ninja.
- Over-the-Door Organizers: I hung one on my bathroom door for toiletries. Total game-changer for my tiny sink area.
Wrapping Up My Messy Decluttering Life
So, yeah, I’m still a hot mess, but these decluttering tips and storage ideas have kept my Chicago apartment from turning into a total dumpster fire. I’m no pro—I’m tripping over bins and forgetting where I put stuff—but I’m trying, and that’s gotta count for something, right? If I can make it work, you can too. Got any decluttering tips that saved your butt? Slide into my DMs on X—I’m @MessyButTrying. Let’s keep the chaos in check, yeah?
