Eliminate Clutter Part 3: Strategies to Getting Started.

Ok so this is when you actually get started. Part 1 and part 2 explained what clutter is costing you, where it comes from and the 4 steps that you need to keep in mind to organize just about anything. But where do you start? As you look around your room or entire house for that matter it seems impossible. From a former clutterer trust me it’s not. You just need a little help, a push, gentle nudge, kick in the butt to get going.

Starting out small and celebrating the victories as you go along are key. You just need to start! Here are some ideas on how to do just that.

1. Pick a room any room. If you’re anything like me there is one room in particular that just drives you crazy with stuff everywhere! That is as good a place as any to start your clutter elimination process. Take a moment and imagine what you want the space to look like when you’re done. It’s no fun rushing in to declutter and organize it only to have to re-organize it a couple of days later. Take a quick look around and make some decisions. What is needed in that room? Are there things that could or should be used elsewhere in your home? Once you have a picture of the room in your mind take everything out that does not belong.
2. 15 minute quick sweep. I still love doing this one! If tackling a room is not in the time budget just yet try spending 15 minutes walking through the house resetting it. Armed with a basket or box, walk through room by room tidying as you go. Put items you find in one room that actually belong in another in the box and put them in their proper place. Arrange pillows, straighten blankets, stack magazines, arrange coasters etc…you get the picture. Set a timer for 15 minutes and go for it!
3. Attack the junk drawer. We all have one and it’s called a junk drawer for a reason. It’s the catch all for everything we don’t know what to do with. Well it’s decision time. Remove this drawer and empty the entire contents onto a table. Relocate items to their rightful homes if they have or get rid of them if they are no longer needed or don’t work.
   As examples: Pens-do they all write? do you need 27 of them? would they be better off in the office? Screwdriver-does it make sense to be in this drawer? would it be better off in the toolbox or garage? Rubber bands-do you need 250? is this the best place for them or do you typically use them elsewhere in the home?
   Tip: It’s very helpful to set up three piles: keep, re-locate, and toss. Once everything is out of the drawer and in these piles neatly replace the keep items and deal with the other two piles right away.
4. Clean off your counters. I think this is where you get the most bang for your buck. Counters are highly visible and by clearing them off apart from the essentials will give you a sense of instant satisfaction. As an example, look at your kitchen counters right now. What’s on them? A toaster? A coffee maker? These are likely used daily so are fine to leave. What else is there? Fliers you got in the mail 3 days ago? A phone book? Winter gloves? Certainly not essentials so put them away where they belong or throw them out.
5. Tackle a closet. If you have clothes in your closet that your kids are dying to use as Halloween costumes it might be time to let go. Pull out all of your clothes and put them on the bed. When deciding what to keep and what to throw away or donate here’s a guide line: DO NOT keep items that are dated, stained, ripped or don’t fit (even if you think you’re going to lose 25 pounds and fit into your skinny jeans…let them go! Let a new pair be your reward for hitting your new weight goal). If it’s summer and you have winter sweaters kicking around store them in a box until next season (think under the bed storage).
6. Bathroom. See what’s lurking in the medicine cabinet and under the sink. Toss all medicines, creams, and prescriptions that have exceeded their expiry dates. Do you have 4 bottles of half used shampoo or conditioner? Consolidate, if you can, into one bottle and toss the rest. Soap that you’re allergic to? Toss it! Straight iron that you don’t use since you got your hair cut? Donate it or toss it. Limit yourself to only the essentials (notice a pattern yet?).
7. Books. Unless you are planning to re-read books or have a lot of reference books that you actually refer to, think about donating to the local library. If you have a magazine subscription and just can’t throw them out month after month choose a spot to collect them. After a few months bundle them together and take them to a doctor or dentist office, an elementary school for arts and crafts or the library. 

So, there are just a few ways to start your clutter eliminating quest today right now…so go do it!  If you are new to this uncluttering thing I would love to hear how it went and what you did. If you’re a veteran, what do you do to combat clutter still and do you have any suggestions for a newbie on getting started?

 

 

Photo courtesy of: visualpanic

 

See also:

Eliminate Clutter Part 1: The Cost of Clutter and Where Does it Come From?

Eliminate Clutter Part 2: 4 Steps To Organize Just About Anything

A Real Simple Way to Organize Your Pantry