How To Organize Clutter

by Renate Hering-Shepherd
(www.dreamhomedecorating.com)

Since I haven't found the magic 'refresh' button to turn my home back into a blank canvas, I've come up with a clutter-control routine that works in small, manageable doses.

Of course, a seriously tidy person would

• deal with everything just once, and decide straight away whether to do it, delegate it, or dump it, and ...
• have only things at home that they either use, or love - and nothing else.

But I reckon you aren't a seriously tidy person either, or else you wouldn't be reading this right now.

So for you & me, here's How To Organize Clutter, Our Way!

This is a baby-steps routine for getting rid of clutter, and it is very powerful. If you feel it could be useful to you, I suggest you try it out.


The way to do this is for 20 minutes a day, Monday to Friday - until you've cleared all things out of your home that have no purpose in your current life.

You're going to create

• a home that feels fresh and clear
• a sense of control over your living space
• a system where you find anything you look for, straight away
• a home with an easy, upbeat, light energy to it.

Here are the rules:

1. Once a day, preferably at the same time every day, set a timer for 20 minutes.

2. During these 20 minutes, all you do is clear up one small section of your home that feels untidy or disorganized (the table in the hallway, the sock drawer, unopened post?)

3. Find something to throw away, and throw it away (or recycle it).

4. Start with the parts that look the easiest.

5. When the alarm goes off, stop. You're done for today.

6. Acknowledge & reward yourself for having completed your 20 minutes today.



And here are the Comments on the rules:

How to organize clutter, #1: Planning & starting on time
If you're going to beat clutter, you want a sense of control from the start. Clutter eats away at our self-confidence and self-esteem. So it's important to assign yourself small chunks of work that will fit snugly into your day. You're in control. During these 20 minutes, you focus entirely on the task you've set yourself. This will guarantee a result! It may not look big on Day 1, but by the end of the first week you'll already have spent 2 hours clearing stuff, and you'll begin to notice a shift in the energy of your home.


How to organize clutter, #2: Staying focused
Focus creates quick results. When you stay focused on the job at hand, you'll start experiencing success almost immediately, and that will give you enough energy to tackle the next clutter hotspot.

How to organize clutter, #3: Getting rid of stuff
If there are things in your wardrobe or cupboard that you haven't used for a year, consider giving them away. Ditto for things you feel you are expected to keep because they were presents, or things you bought but now you find you aren't really using or enjoying them. There's great joy in letting go of things from the past. You create freedom for yourself. It's weight off your shoulders and off your mind. It can be a huge relief. The future is yours! You could promise yourself that for every five things you get rid of, you can buy one that is really great and suits your current lifestyle perfectly.

How to organize clutter, #4: Starting small
It's easy to feel overwhelmed in the face of the stuff we've accumulated over a long time. Starting with easy clearing jobs increases your confidence. After the first successes, the more awe-inspiring clutter hotspots feel much easier to handle. You know you can handle them. And because of that, you will.

How to organize clutter, #5: Stopping on time
Stopping on time is just as important as starting on time. You remain in control. Don't let the process take you over. (You could, of course, make a conscious decision to do some more of it for a fixed period of time. But you don't have to. After 20 minutes, you're done.)

How to organize clutter, #6: Being pleased with yourself
Acknowledging yourself draws your attention to the results you have achieved. Be proud of yourself: Facing clutter and letting go of stuff is not easy. Always celebrate your success - reward yourself with a little sweet, a cup of tea, whatever makes you feel even more that you've done well.

If you ever lapse in your routine before you've cleared all clutter, forgive yourself straight away and pick up where you left off. Nothing's lost, and nothing's wrong. Just do it.

Slow and steady wins the race!