Creating A Clutter Free Home

Rome was not built in a day and it is safe to say that your home did not become cluttered in a day.  It is also safe to say that you will not create an organized and clutter free home overnight or even in a day.  However, if you are willing to set aside time each day to organizing your home and your life, it won’t be long before you are living clutter free.

The easiest way to begin creating an organized and clutter free home is by getting three (3) boxes:

  • Label Box #1 – “ Give-a-way”
  • Label Box #2 – “Throw-a-way” (Line with garbage bag for an easier way to throw out your trash.
  • Label Box #3 – “Put-a-way”

Now that you have your boxes labeled it is time to begin organizing your home.  Pick a room, any room, in which to begin.  It really does not matter where you begin, what matters is that you begin.  Your goal will be to create a clutter free home and to do it in a systematic fashion.

  • First – pick a starting point within the room to begin your cleaning.  My suggestion is to start at the entrance.
  • Second – from your starting point begin to systematically work your way around the room in a clockwise direction.  Do not skip any areas.  Every item within the room should be looked at.  It may belong where it is, if so leave it.  If not, place it in one of your three boxes.

If you’re like most people, deciding what is worth saving and what should be thrown away is difficult.  Over the years you saved items for a reason; now is the time to determine if the reason you originally saved an item is still valid.  The following are three questions you can ask yourself to help decide what to do with an item.

  • Do you love the item?
  • Does the item have sentimental value?
  • Does the item make you feel sad or guilty?

It is not unusual to want to keep an item because it was given to you by a friend or someone close to you and you feel guilt getting rid of it.  Those are normal feeling but they may not be a valid reason to keep an item you don’t need or use.

Another way to look at an item is how often you use the item.  Have you used the item in the past year?  If not there is a good chance you will never use that item again and it can go in Box #2.

What is the condition of the item?  Is it broken or is it in good condition.  If it is broken and you have not fixed it by now get rid of it.  This item is creating clutter and you have already shown you can live without it.  If it is in good condition and you have not used it in the past year consider giving it away.

It won’t be long before your give-a-way box fills up and you will have to decide what to do with these items.  Here are two options for you to consider.

  • You can donate your items by taking them to the Goodwill or your local thrift store.  There are many people in need and donating your items can create a lot of self satisfaction.
  • Another option would be to list your items for sale on ebay or Craigs list and make yourself extra cash.

As you go through this process you will begin to realize how many items are out of place.  Once Box #3 (put-a-way box) is full stop de-cluttering and put those items where they belong.  Do not set the box aside by putting it in a closet or down in the basement and say to yourself you will take care of it later.  If this is what you do one of two things will happen.  First, you will create more work for yourself by having to deal with these items later on.  Second, you will never put these items away.  You will have begun programming yourself for a system of procrastination that will keep you from fully de-cluttering your home and your life.

As I mentioned above don’t skip any areas.  It is important to de-clutter shelves, drawers, and even furniture.  Organize everything.  Go through your desk drawers.  Do you have a proper place to put pens, paper clips, paper, bills, etc.?  As you go through your paper get rid of anything that is over a year old unless it is important financial papers.  When you find important papers that need to be saved for years, create files for this information and store them in an alternate location so you can find and access this information easily if you need to.

De-cluttering your home may seems like a daunting task but it really isn’t.  Take your time and systematically work your way through every room.  Be diligent and spend time everyday de-cluttering and don’t forget to clean as you go. Once you have completely gone through a room go back through the room and make sure all of your special items are where you want them to be.  It is these special items that make your home a home.