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Decluttering is way more than just an exercise in tidying up. It's good for your state of mind, can ease stress and anxiety, and make a positive impact on the planet to boot.

Clearing the decks can start you on the journey to thinking about what you buy and bring back in. Yoda said it best, “Change your shopping habits, decluttering can.”

Getting started can be overwhelming so this year we've teamed up with Edel Beattie from The Happy Organiser to launch the first EVER National Declutter Day.

Happening on 5 & 6 October, it's all about decluttering, hand in hand with other Aussies around the country and with expert support from Edel and the team at Garage Sale Trail. If you missed it, read on for Edel's top tips...

Decluttering, why tho?

Maybe you’ve thought about the financials of selling your unwanted stuff already. Maybe you know that a simpler life means less organising, cleaning and more time. But have you ever wondered how decluttering can be good for the planet?

Clearing the decks can start you on the journey to thinking about what you buy and bring back in.

It lets us keep the stuff that aligns with who we are now (not who we were in 1988, despite, trust us, that person being completely awesome). And it stops us buying duplicates and even triplicates of that thing we can't find.

Professional organiser and Garage Sale Trail's official decluttering ambassador Edel Beattie of The Happy Organiser explains it best.

"Impulse purchasing is one reason we accumulate too much stuff and lots of us are unaware we are doing it. Decluttering helps us build awareness of these habits and make better decisions by truly bringing the things we love and need into our homes.”

It's good for your mental health too

As if the planet saving benefits were not enough, decluttering is good for your mental health too.

A recent survey by the folk at Choosi revealed that nearly three in five Australians (57%) find clutter causes them stress and anxiety. Following decluttering, 74% said their mood had improved.

I'm in! How do I get started?

If you’re onboard and want the how-to of decluttering, check out the top tips from Edel, The Happy Organiser provided over on Garage Sale Trail's Instagram and Facebook as part of the first ever National Declutter Day.

Honey, I decluttered the house!

Naturally, we think hosting a garage sale is a no brainer when it comes to finding the ultimate clean up cure for your newly decluttered life but you might also want to consider the following when working out what to do with the items you no longer want any more:

> Sell pre-loved fashion & accessories on eBay. From now until the end of the year, claim your 10 free postage labels when you list pre-loved fashion. Find out more. T&Cs apply.

> Donate good quality items to a local op shop. Call ahead to find out what they accept and donate in store hours.

> For clothing at the end of its life, order a RCYCL clear out bag and turn your unwanted clothes into new yarn or carpet underlay. Claim your free RCYCL bag.

> For all other items at the end of their life, check out your local council's services and dispose of them responsibly. And whatever you do, don't dump it! Items left on the kerb will likely end up in landfill and it could cost you a pretty penny in fines too.

Garage Sale Trail, Australia's biggest secondhand treasure hunt, is next on 9-10 & 16-17 November 2024. Register now to be part of it.

This project is a NSW EPA Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy initiative, funded from the waste levy.