The Top 10 Tips to Help You De-Clutter

Originally Submitted on 6/23/2005.

1. ELIMINATE JUNK MAIL
Visit the DMA Web site and ask them to remove you from lists you don’t wish to be on: http://www.the-dma.org/consumers/offmailinglist.html

This step is first for a reason. If you can alleviate the amount of junk mail you have coming in it will make the next step easier.

2.
OPEN MAIL BY THE WASTEBASKET
Open mail every day. Discard immediately those things you do not want. Keep a basket or container on your desk, kitchen counter, etc., for mail you need to keep. Clean it out once a week by paying bills, reading articles, answering invitations, letters, etc.

It is so important to do this on a daily basis and then take care of what is left weekly. Leaving mail unopened for just one day starts the backlog you hate.

3. CUT OUT THE ARTICLE
Do not keep the entire magazine, newspaper etc., because there is an article you want to read later. Cut out the article, file it and discard the rest of the publication.

Ok, so you can keep the magazine for one week. But when you sit down to write your bills and take care of other mail either read the articles that interest you or cut them out and file them for later perusing.

4. FILE, FILE, FILE
Every piece of paper you keep should have a file. Have file folders for Receipts, Recipes, Decorating Ideas, Health Plan, Insurance, etc. EVERYTHING should be in a file. A file cabinet, decorative box or basket, expanding file folder or desk drawer will work. Make headings understandable and personalized so you know just where to look.

Try not to have a Miscellaneous file. You will find yourself dumping everything in there and then your filing system will not work efficiently for you.

5. KEEP A LIST NOTEBOOK
Keep one notebook with all of your lists. It can be used for birthday/anniversary lists, to-do lists, grocery lists, gift lists, etc. Make a list for everything and keep it in this one place. No more slips of paper everywhere and no more forgetting important dates and tasks!

You can use the computer for this as well. Create clear headings for each list and check them daily.

6. CONTAINERIZE
Use containers in closets, under the sink, under the bed, anywhere you have space. Containers can be plastic see through boxes, cardboard boxes, baskets, etc. Keep a container for each family member in the closet for things like mittens/gloves, hats and scarves. Use under the bed containers for storage of everything from Holiday decorations to extra linens. A basket by the front door can hold boots. Use shoeboxes in drawers to separate small items. This is a great idea for that kitchen junk drawer we all have.

If containers are not see-through they must be labeled. If you have a lot of containers stored in different place, make a list in your list notebook. This will save you time hunting for items.

7. SET A TIME LIMIT
Manage your time and clutter by setting a time limit when organizing. When a job seems overwhelming, setting a time limit of 10, 15 or 45 minutes to accomplish what you can, takes the stress out of the task.

Use a kitchen time or even the alarm on your cell phone. When your time is up you can continue if you are on a roll or simply stop and schedule the next time you will be able to tackle the job.

8. DONATE, DONATE, DONATE
Get rid of those things you don’t use. Pretend you are moving into a smaller place and can only take what will fit. Don’t laugh, it works. Donate extra linens, clothes that no longer fit, books/magazines, kitchen items. Anything you don’t use and only keep because...It was expensive...You really like it... So and so gave it to you... Maybe I’ll lose ten pounds. Someone can use it today…donate it.

The Salvation Army is always happy to take your cast-offs for
their clients. Homeless shelters, HIV/AIDS programs, Unwed mothers programs, etc. DONATE, you’ll have less clutter, feel good that someone who needs it will get it and you can take a tax deduction.

9. USE WALL SPACE
Shelving is inexpensive and can be very decorative in any room in the house. In the kitchen, make more room in the cabinets by hanging a spice rack. In the bathroom, hang a decorative towel holder that holds extra towels. In the living room, how about putting those CD’s on the wall in a decorative open box-like configuration made for just that.

Looking up...to the walls...will open up a lot of space. How about two or three small shelves in the hallway to hold decorative items you don't have room to display as well as pretty baskets to hold scarves and mittens?

10. PRIORITIIZE
Prioritize your to-do list. Usually the most important tasks should be your first priority. Sometimes, though, doing the easiest tasks first give you a feeling of accomplishment. Prioritize according to your personality. It is ok to carry things over to the next day/week to-do list. Just don’t cross them off ‘til they are done. Try breaking jobs into smaller segments so that you can finish at least part of the job and get that happy feeling of accomplishment.

Some people like to put the most difficult task at the top of the to do list. Once they have accomplished that the rest are a breeze.

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