CLUTTER and the NEW YEAR

Clutter Control and Organization 2015

Ironically (or perhaps purposely) January is “Clutter Control Month.”  I guess “the powers that be” knew most folks need a whole year to deal with issues of organization and clutter.  Sometimes even that is not enough given the reasons our stuff sometimes takes over.  But whether it’s something in your past that makes you hold on to everything, you truly lack needed space, you’re too busy or overwhelmed or you just don’t get the hang of organizing, at some point you need to get a grip and attempt to change.  Why?  Because it’s cleansing, empowering and good for you and those around you.  Being neat and orderly with “everything in its place and a place for everything” saves time (you don’t have to look for things), money (you don’t have to buy again what you own and can’t find), puts you in control of your surroundings and enables you to keep cleaner, faster. 

So what’s the secret?  If you’re not born with the organizing gene, are you doomed for life?  Let’s see if these 10 steps can help you keep your New Year’s resolution. 

 
1)    You must really want to change, so stop being defensive and making excuses. 

2)    Start by making a plan of what’s needed to be done that works for your schedule (even if you don’t know exactly where to start – start somewhere!)

3)    Allot a block of time when you won’t be rushed or pressured (Get into some comfortable clothes and put on some music).

4)    Assign a manageable task (cleaning out one drawer, one closet, etc).

5)    Accomplish this task by not only organizing what’s in that space, but by throwing out or giving away what’s no longer used or needed. 

6)    Reward yourself (take a hot bath, get a massage, buy something new to put in the space you cleaned) Or – feel so good that you want to continue and tackle another space! 

7)    Don’t overdue it physically, or emotionally. 

8)    Plan the next time and project and set-up a future schedule. 

9)    Always keep the larger goal in mind, but reach it by continuing to accomplish a series of smaller, more manageable tasks. 

10) Now that you’ve got the hang of it, try to always keep clutter under control.  If a space takes no more than 15 minutes to clean up, you’re a winner! 


You will discover that organizing is like a game.  Once you learn the rules and play it for awhile, you can get really good at it.  And when you’re able to let go of your stuff, you’ll feel happier and so will those around you; you’ll even feel lighter. 

It’s also a fact that one successfully accomplished resolution generally leads to another.  So, if your reward for getting organized is a gym membership instead of a hot fudge sundae, 2013 might be your best year ever, no matter what else is going on around you.  

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