5 Easy Ways to Overcome Clutter
Purge: Ok, I realize that this word can seem scary. (Especially thanks to Hollywood and the movies with the same name. I only chose to use it here to signify the truth in what needs to be done. We all tend to accumulate stuff every day. It’s in our nature and the nature of our consumerism society. You need to look at the space around you and decide what really does need to go. Every few months go through all of your stuff in the areas where it piles up the most and purge. Let it go. Quit hanging on to that pair of jeans you have kept for years in hopes that they will fit again. They are just taking up space. Old magazines, papers, junk drawers, etc need to be dealt with as well. Go through it all and donate or rummage anything of use or value and trash the rest. Now breathe, because you have just completed the hardest part.
Think before you buy: Before you buy that cute new coffee mug, ask yourself if you have room and/or can you part with an old one to make space for a new one. Do this with any purchase and you will find yourself saving money as well as not filling your cupboards and closets to the brim.
Get rid of mail: As soon as it comes in from the mailbox, deal with it. Keep important documents, shredding those you don’t need. Recycle junk mail. Only keep coupons or special mailings if you know you will use them. Mail and papers are huge ingredients of clutter. If you deal with it before you set it down somewhere you can save yourself the trouble and space later.
Create some binders for papers: Make designated binders for important paperwork, recipes to try that have been saved from old magazines, household info, etc. This will also help you to eliminate paper piles from around your house. Keep them in their areas so you instantly know where to find them. Kitchen, by telephone, office, etc.
A few minutes a day: All it takes to maintain clutter free after you’ve dealt with it, is just a few minutes a day. Each day in the morning, before bed, or any spare moment you may have just walk around your house and deal with small piles a little at a time. This will help prevent them becoming big messes or piles of clutter. If you do come across an area that needs a few more minutes of your time, skip it until you have the time or chip away at it when you can.
All in all, these tips should help, but life is life and depending on our day to day and children and family, life can pile up. However, adding a few of these tips to your daily life can help you in having a less cluttered home and a less stressed life.
