5 Tips to Banish Clutter From Your Life For Good

Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes from 20 percent of what we own. That means that 80 percent of the things in our homes are rarely or never used. Follow these tips to de-clutter your life.

Start the process of de-cluttering. Divide a room into sections. Pick one section (like one drawer or cupboard) and begin de-cluttering. Ask if you consider each item beautiful, useful, or loved. If not, you can probably get rid of it! If you're still not sure if you should get rid of an item, ask yourself, "What's the worst thing that could happen if I toss this?" The answer may help give you the power to discard the clutter. Also be aware of the size of your space, as smaller spaces obviously hold less stuff.

Work with a buddy. If you're having a hard time letting go of the clutter, enlist the help of a friend or professional organizer to offer an objective viewpoint. She can offer support and ask the tough questions like, "Are you really going to use that?" and "When will you ever wear that again?"

Try to touch things only once while going through this process. Quickly make a decision to keep or toss. It will be helpful to have large, dark-colored garbage bags, plus two large boxes on hand: one for items to donate or give to friends, one for items that need to go to another room in your home. The bags are for items that need to go the dump. (The dark garbage bag will keep you from seeing the contents and having "tosser's regret.")

Find an appropriate home for the items you want to keep. Once you've removed all the items that are not beautiful, useful, or loved, you are left with a room full of things you'll use and appreciate frequently. Assign a space (a "home") for each item and make sure to return it there after each use. Remember, if you don't return each item to its home after use, it turns back into clutter and disorganization will occur.

Give yourself a reward. At the end of a de-cluttering session, give yourself a pat on the back and a little treat, such as a bubble bath, a cup of tea, or a professional massage. Also take some time to relish the calm and tidy space you've created.

Copyright 2005 Time to Organize. All rights reserved.

Sara Pedersen, veteran professional organizer, is the author of the FREE e-newsletter "Organzing Dreams." Sign up today at http://www.time2organize.net to receive your FREE quarterly subscription. Then, make YOUR organizing dreams come true by visiting http://www.time2organize.net where you'll find dozens of organizing tips, before and after photos, an interactive quiz and much more.

---

The Psychology of Being Organized

Individuals who are organized in their personal lives most generally... Read More

Organizing Lessons from a Bookstore

The store reminded me of a well-worn slipper ? tattered... Read More

Create A Working Mail Center

I talk about the mail a lot in my newsletter,... Read More

Feng Shui Guidlines for Storage Spaces

Professional organizers and helpful-hint sources often recommend storage solutions such... Read More

Ending The Morning Madness

Back-to-school time ? what does that mean to you? For... Read More

10 Easy Tips for Digging Out Your Desk Today

Has your polished mahogany (or modular plastic) desk been buried... Read More

Get Organized -- Every Home Needs An Office

EVERY HOME NEEDS AN OFFICEYes, it is true that every... Read More

Control Your Childrens Clutter!!

Ever feel overwhelmed by all the papers, notices, artwork, and... Read More

5 Tips to Banish Clutter From Your Life For Good

Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes... Read More

Organize (and Decorate) Your Home on a Budget with Baskets

What's an item that can help you organize every room... Read More

The Clutter Campaign - Design Your Vision

I like a room you can dance in the middle... Read More

Lightening The Load

When I tell people what a FREEING experience moving is,... Read More

Four Easy Steps to An Organized Closet

The National Association of Professional Organizers has dedicated January to... Read More

Oh No, Not Another Interuption, How To Deal With Everyday Distractions

Every day I find junk mail waiting for me, whether... Read More

Just How Organized Are You? Take This Quiz For Individuals

The Productive Environment Scorecard?Read the statements below and rate your... Read More

Feeling Overwhelmed and Unorganized? - How to Use Index Cards to Organize Your Life

Feeling Overwhelmed and Unorganized? - How to Use Index Cards... Read More

Too Many Unfinished Projects? 7 Time Management Strategies to Move Stalled Projects to Finish Line

Q. I have several projects going at once -- but... Read More

Declutter Your Home in 11 Easy Steps

Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of organizing your home? Start... Read More

Organization Tips - How to Organise Your Computer Files

Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More

Getting Organized for Achievement

Getting and staying organized is critical to achieving your goals.... Read More

Clutter Control

Remember when you charged into the office that first day,... Read More

Secrets to Eliminating Emotional Clutter

Are you plagued by clutter in your personal or professional... Read More

Six ADD Tips for Organizing Everyday Things

Life with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) can be a constant... Read More

Do You Have Scatter-Brain-Itis?

In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More

Creating The Perfect Closet

Your closet is often the first thing you see in... Read More

The Five Ways To Ease The Process Of Eliminating Clutter

I recently had a conversation with a friend about clutter.... Read More

Overwhelmed? Try the Red Zone Tactic

Some people seem to be born organized. You probably remember... Read More

Have an Ugly Day

"Do something every day that you don't want to-do; this... Read More

Can You Make a ?Torpedo? Out of Personal Junk? How to Optimize What You Have

"Junkyard Wars," a TV series showed two teams of experts... Read More

It?s Spring Cleaning Time? Let?s Make Room For Abundance!

I gathered some things you can do this spring while... Read More

Your Organizing DNA

Do you like storing your papers on top of your... Read More

How to Prevent Piles of Paper!

If you have piles of paper all over your desk,... Read More

Does Your Storage Make Sense?

What do your storage spaces look like? Do you know... Read More