Overcoming Busy

Get rid of the clutter!

March 4, 2009 by Marci

In yesterday’s post on Spring Cleaning, I gave  you a plan that will fit Spring Cleaning into your life instead of making it your life.  We are trying to overcome busy here, not become busy!  I mentioned that before any cleaning takes place you have got to get rid of the clutter!  Imagine trying to deep clean around stacks of mail and magazines and the toys that never leave the living room.  Today, lets talk about how to get rid of all the clutter.  This will make cleaning easier and your life a lot less stressful.

Before you start the de-cluttering process, grab three boxes.  One box for throw away.  One box for giveaway and one box for the keepers.  Once you have your boxes, start de-cluttering!  Grab everything in the room that doesn’t belong there or that isn’t bolted down.  Every item belongs in one of your three boxes.  Work fast.  Don’t over-think this.  Your gut reaction to your stuff is probably accurate.  If you find yourself agonizing over whether to keep an item or give it away, think to yourself “Do I love it?”  “Does it hold sentimental value?” “Do I need it?”  If the answer is no, bless someone else with it.

Once you have sorted out all your clutter, take the throw away box immediately to the trash.  Don’t look through it one last time.  Just toss it!  Take the giveaway box to your car and put it in the trunk to take by Goodwill or similar agency the next time you are out.  As for the keep box, take all the stuff that belongs in other rooms and put it away.  Now, that your room is clutter free, it’s time for spring cleaning!

Don’t wait until next spring to de-clutter.  Use the same method periodically in all your rooms to keep them from getting away from you.  It’s amazing how the house changes just from getting the clutter out.