Most People are Losing the Battle of Successful Clutter Management

Is successful clutter management just an illusive dream? It seems like there's always so much stuff coming at us all the time. The question is: What to do with all of it?

So You've Decided It's Time to Organize. . .

There's definitely a system to getting organized. (Wouldn't you know it?) Let me share with you how I help my clients with this.

First, start by making a list of the areas in your home or office that make you the most frustrated and anxious. If it's the garage, start with organizing your garage.

Prioritize them in order of how crazed they make you feel.

You'll gain a better perspective on everything that needs to be done. Best of all, you'll have a plan.

Second, determine how you want each room (or area within a room) to function.

Create a plan for successful clutter management by designating separate zones to meet your specific needs.

For instance, you may want to combine your home office with your guest room. If you don't have guests often, you might want to consider buying either a Murphy bed that disappears into the wall or a daybed so you'll have more office space.

Third, begin sorting and organizing.

Pretend there's an invisible circle around you 3 feet in diameter. You're not allowed to move from that spot until you've gone through everything in that area. If you run across things that go into other rooms, just set them aside and put them away after you're done with your one area.

Live in the present. Don't keep something because of what you "used to do" or because you "might use it someday."

If you haven't used it in a year, get rid of it!

Now, stop and take a breather. Appreciate yourself for taking on this organizing project. It's tough stuff, but you're doing it.

Fourth, keep up this routine until you've completed that room or area. Then celebrate and continue on to the next room. You will achieve your goal of successful clutter management!

Bonus Tips

• Everything in your house needs a home of its own
  Make sure everyone in your entire family knows where those "homes" are so things get put away in their designated places.

  Don't just put it down; put it away. By doing so, you'll always be able to keep clutter from accumulating!



• Sort like things together
  Successful clutter management is achieved by sorting and storing. That way, all the balls will be together; all the tools will be together; all the canned goods will be together; you get the idea.


• Donate to charity
  Keep a box in the hall closet for things you don't need and drive down to the local donation station when full.
  

  You reap triple returns when you donate to charities:
  1. You free up your surroundings
  2. You help other people
  3. You get a tax deduction (don't forget to ask for a receipt)
  

• Think "double duty," not double items
  Purchase furniture with drawers and shelves whenever possible to make use of every space.
  

  Keep a laundry bag in your closet or laundry room for clothes that need to go to the dry cleaners.
  

  Whenever you buy one thing, get rid of one thing.
  

• Safety is a good thing
  If you don't have a paper shredder, buy one. Identity theft is too prevalent to ignore.
  

• Here's my favorite time-saver tip
  Make a sweep through your home and/or office at the end of each day, putting away items that have been "misplaced." That way you'll wake up to an organized living area.

Achieve Successful Clutter Management
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