A cluttered life is an unhappy one. The following are six tips for clearing clutter:
1. Have designated places for many of the things that cause clutter. Clutter is typically caused by saving stuff you no longer need or want, that are broken, or that you have outgrown. A fantastic way to help you rid yourself of these items that are causing clutter is to set out a basket for each category. Label one basket “Recycle,” another, “Donate,” another “Sell,” and so on. If you have broken things, you can label on for “Fix” or even “Garbage.” This way, as soon as you grow out of something, instead of letting it clutter your closet, etc, you can put it in the right tub. When it is full, you take care of it.
2. Clear clutter continuously: A fantastic way to clear clutter is to do it continuously. Anytime you have a free moment, spent it clearing clutter. For example, when you are on the phone, organize a drawer, or clear out a cupboard, and get rid of any clutter you can see within ten feet of where you are located. It is a great way to multi-task and clear clutter. Your home will look better, and you won’t feel guilty if you spend a few extra minutes talking to your sisters on the phone, etc.
Look around; what do you see?
3. Make a list of places to de-clutter: If you want to clear clutter, you should make a list of places in your home that need clearing clutter. For example, you might need to clean off the top of your fridge, your desktop, your medicine cabinet, etc. Then, start at the top of your list, and work on it one and a time, when you are done, chances are the things at the top of the list are probably cluttered again, so start again. Once you do it enough times, you will find that you are going to stop cluttering up spaces because you are sick of clearing them after.
4. Be realistic: One of the reasons most people have clutter is because they are unrealistic about what they can and can’t, will or won’t do. For example, they may keep coupons to places they will likely visit, or keep items that are broken thinking they will fix them, etc.
5. Set up a schedule for clearing clutter: In life, clearing clutter will not likely be a priority, so if you want it to happen, you have to set a schedule for it. If you set times to clear out clutter, you will be far more likely to do it, and then your home will be clutter free. So, choose an hour a week to clear clutter, and stick to it.
6. Set rules for items that are undecided: Sometimes when you clear clutter, you run into the problem of not knowing what to do with some of the stuff. For example, you might have some items that you haven’t used in a while, but don’t want to get rid of because you might use it. So, instead, decide how long to keep it. If you haven’t used it in 3 months, 6 months, etc., then you get rid of it.
Parenting viewpoints from parents in the trenches, because parenting doesn’t come with a manual. In addition to