If you are frustrated with the clutter build up, the lack of success in banishing the mess from your house, and the rise in blood pressure at the thought of the clutter in your home, take heart and check out these pointers on how to start getting rid of clutter for good!
- Be optimistic. Even if you get rid of clutter one time a day, you are still moving forward! Focus on your success! Remind yourself that "Rome wasn't built in a day"! Forbid any thoughts about your clutter project being too big for you.
- Ask yourself why you have such a hard time getting rid of clutter. Is it your frugal nature? Unreasonable emotional attachment? Guilt? If you can determine (even vaguely) what it is that stops you from getting rid of clutter, you will be better able to confront those issues head on and see if they are in fact valid.
- Know yourself. No one method of getting rid of clutter will be equally effective for everyone, so figure out what method will work best for you! Consider lists to blitzes to declutter challenges to the "4 Boxes Method"... spend a little time now, and save a lot of time later!
- Clearly define your goal. What would your home ideally look like? What are you willing to give up to achieve this goal? Why do you want a de-cluttered home?
- Analyze what stops you from putting things away immediately. Distractions? Laziness? No easily-accessible place for mail to be filed once you open it? Lack of adequate storage containers, shelves, or cupboards?
- Banish your Pack Rat personality! Check out Decluttering and Organizing 101: Questions For Hopeless Pack Rats
Think these tips on declutting might work? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!