de-cluttering idea

I need some help...as much as i try to get organized, it always seem like there it some clutter pile somewhere.....what are some of your de-clutter tips?

TIA!

Re: de-cluttering idea

frankly the only thing that I have discovered is this ...

If you have the room for "stuff" you will have more stuff. So, the storage organizers, my garage, and my basement have been filled with crap that I need once every 3 years but when I actually need it, I cannot find it. The best solution is less is more. Throw out, donate, sell, whatever you really do not need. And also, stop buying more and more stuff. (Not that you are lol but that is what I say to myself)

I have been off all week and I am disgusted with the amout of stuff I have hidden in closets, shelves, nooks, attic, garage, EVERYWHERE!!!

My house on the surface looks really clean and not cluttered BUT it is lurking in every cranny!

Re: de-cluttering idea

The single best thing I ever read about home cleaning & organizing:

YOU CANNOT ORGANIZE CLUTTER!!!!!!!


That's from flylady.net. Awesome site, I joined them in 2003 and have lapsed somewhat but now for the new year it might be a good time to get on the wagon.


She also created the "27 thing fling" or something like that, wherein you grab a bag and throw out 27 things!!!! Do this sporadically and you'll cut wayyyy down on the clutterfest!!! 27 sounds like a lot but it's NOT, lets say you have 3 bent paperclips and 2 grocery receipts- that equals 5 things!!!!!! So you get to 27 in NO TIME i swear!!!!

Re: de-cluttering idea

I'm right there with you. The last few days, I'm just tossing stuff I don't need. I honestly wish I had a dumpster. There's so much crap I would toss. I'm sick of "cleaning" only to realize I've stored crap all over my house and when I go to open a drawer or closet, there it is.

Re: de-cluttering idea

get rid of EVERYTHING you dont actually NEED. cards, little knickknacks, etc.
arrange everything else that is small that you do need into baskets, containers or drawers. make sure everything has a place and it will neaten everything up.
good luck!!

Re: de-cluttering idea

Here are some links and blog posts I refer to (because they either have good tips or inspire me.)

Zen Habits

Centsational Girl (I think the "three bin" idea is one of the best- one to keep, one to donate, one to toss.)

STUFF I like this a lot- kind of gets at how we end up with STUFF.

Another Zen Habits post- 18 5-minute things

Message edited 1/1/2011 10:15:03 AM.

Re: de-cluttering idea

Get rid of it!!!!!

I have HUGE clutter issues. I am a born pack rat. For 25 years, I have wondered how to fix this.

The only thing is to sell, donate or trash. At some point, you just cannot organize clutter. There is no room for it and it will never go anywhere.

Make to do list of weekly goals to achieve. I can't do daily lists because if it does not get done I get overwhelmed. So I just know I need to do things for that week.

Discipline and letting go is the most important!

Magazines:
- Give yourself a certain time to trash. Like 1-2 months then trash. If you like an article or recipes, just keep those pages (make sure you have a system to store FIRST before keeping the pages or you will have a mess of pages in piles).

Mail:
I have a file sorter. My mail, DH mail and "house" mail. It's in the kitchen because that's where my front door is. So I won't go upstairs in the office/computer room to sort my mail. It would end up in the kitchen anyway.


I suggest you make "convenient" systems. Convenient to you and practical.

I have "bins"/baskets. I put scarves and gloves all together in a nice basket.

ETA: I really like the book "Organizing from the Inside Out".

Message edited 1/1/2011 10:33:35 AM.

Re: de-cluttering idea

Girls I find this thread really inspirational!!! Thanks!!!! Mary

Re: de-cluttering idea

I have thrown out and donated a ton of stuff.
I have some stuff to sell which I will post on ebay and here but DH is the biggest pack rat ever.

Re: de-cluttering idea

I need help too. I have boxes of stuff that I just don't use. Some things are sentimental but seriously I have way too much stuff. I would really love to spend some time just getting rid of things and donating them. I have no patience for a garage sale.

Re: de-cluttering idea

Between Glenn Beck (he is promoting getting rid of useless stuff) and this post I have been inspired. I have spent the entire morning getting rid of "stuff" I just never use. I am loading the car and bringing it to the salvation army tomorrow. I have purged my basement and the kids room.