| Let's get down to business. Decluttering your | | | | and remotely resembles bits and pieces like |
| home starts with making a list. That's your | | | | if they came out of a refuse bin - getting |
| written plan of steadily attacking what's | | | | rid of them is the hygienic way to go. |
| been standing in your way. The easiest angle | | | | |
| of attack is going to be a raw-and-ready move | | | | Everything else that doesn't fall into the |
| on clutter spots where you can make the | | | | previous two categories should go into: |
| fastest and most visible progress. | | | | |
| | | | 1. Essential Items - the stuff that you |
| Which one is it? It's your call. For example, | | | | absolutely positively must have. |
| is it a toss up between first getting to the | | | | |
| living room or the office? Blitz through and | | | | 2. Sentimental Items - you don't need'em but |
| transform the room where guests and visitors | | | | they do bring back fond memories. |
| are likely to gather the most first. So, if | | | | |
| it's your living room - go for it. (Match | | | | (Note: Do they bring occasional fond |
| your launch spot of decluttering to your | | | | memories, or have they been forcing you to |
| specific needs.) | | | | live in the past?) |
| | | | |
| If it's the latter, an office can usually | | | | 3. Items You Want ...but don't need - I think |
| handle its proverbial "organized mess" for a | | | | that says it all, don't you think? |
| smidge longer, and without "witnesses". While | | | | |
| the office can simply wait, the living room | | | | Why does this blitz tactic deliver? You're |
| is where you eagerly begin disarming the | | | | not stuck on "doing" paperwork. That comes |
| clutter of its power over you. | | | | later when you can fully focus on doing your |
| | | | paperwork. |
| You are in charge. Decide according to what | | | | |
| is most important to you to declutter first. | | | | What also makes this method tick is the small |
| That's your first step. The second one: take | | | | corner you've cleared for the "dumping |
| a good look around you. Take a before and | | | | grounds". |
| after picture to have hard evidence that your | | | | |
| efforts were worth every minute of your | | | | Once you get into the swing of things, it's |
| valuable time. | | | | downright invigorating to be able to throw |
| | | | things around the room as your "purging |
| Now, arm yourself with the "Tools for the | | | | action" takes a load off. |
| Decluttering Trade". | | | | |
| | | | At last, decluttering a messy room becomes |
| You'll need garbage bags, cardboard or | | | | less of a chore and more fun and relaxed. |
| plastic boxes, cleaning supplies (including a | | | | |
| vacuum cleaner), a notebook with a pen, handy | | | | What do you do with everything that's piled |
| refreshments, and your favorite good-mood | | | | up on "the dumping grounds" by the end of the |
| tunes. Add to the list as you see fit. | | | | day? |
| | | | |
| Start from one corner of the room, or even in | | | | Let large garbage bags gobble up anything |
| the middle, if you feel like it. Warm up by | | | | that's clearly going to the garbage bin. |
| creating good working space around you. Then, | | | | Recycle items that you can. Donate any usable |
| select and clear some handy space for | | | | and in-a-good-working-condition items to |
| "dumping grounds" to make your efforts | | | | charity. |
| uninterrupted and effective. | | | | |
| | | | In short, quickly sort the stuff and get it |
| Next, dominate from here by steadily moving | | | | out. |
| forward. The "stuff" that has been sitting | | | | |
| around for ages while gradually impinging on | | | | That's the golden rule to follow at the end |
| your everyday life - you are after it today. | | | | of every power-decluttering day. |
| Start with using garbage bags, boxes, and | | | | |
| storage bins that you've got ready and start | | | | Why? |
| filling them up. | | | | |
| | | | One: You want to avoid mixing the stuff you |
| Paperwork is clutter as well; sort through it | | | | want to dump with the stuff you want to keep |
| enough as not to miss any important documents | | | | (after you've done such a great job :). |
| like banking statements, overdue utility | | | | |
| bills, or other essential correspondence | | | | Two: You may need more than a day to |
| alike. Keep them where you can easily find | | | | declutter a room. Seeing a part of the job |
| them for now. Transfer everything else onto | | | | done gives you the inspiration fuel to |
| the dumping grounds. | | | | continue. |
| | | | |
| Watch it, though. If at any time you get the | | | | If it's discouraging to declutter everything |
| urge to sit down and wade through your | | | | in an uninterrupted, massive rip through, |
| paperwork in depth, the end of your | | | | take a short break to refresh, and come back |
| decluttering efforts sets in. Staying AWAY | | | | early to finish the task with flying colors. |
| from "doing" your paperwork makes more sense. | | | | On the other hand, if the idea of leaving the |
| Resist the urge and press on. You'll get | | | | job half done bugs you to no end, soothe the |
| around to that a bit later. | | | | uneasiness by finishing the crack down on |
| | | | clutter without delays. |
| Now, as for anything that looks extra nasty | | | | |