De-clutter and Stress Less

Clutter can be physical, mental, or both. It all produces the same result: stress, disorganization, and discontent. Reduce “the unnecessary” and give order and function to your needs and wants. De-clutter & De-stress to restore order to your home, your family, and your life.

Organized Mail

Create an indoor mailbox in a central location. Set a time to go through the box once a week. Open everything, pay bills, file important correspondence, and recycle junk mail.

De-clutter and Donate

Keep a donation hamper in your closet. Every two weeks select an item of clothing you haven’t worn in the past six months and throw it in. When the hamper is full, take it to a local charitable organization.

Well-Ordered Drawers

The next time you sit down to watch TV, pull out a drawer, any drawer. During commercials, sort the contents into four piles: keep, toss, donate or sell, and items to relocate. Then put back only the keepers, using expandable organizers to keep them tidy.

Ask Questions

When you’re trying to decide whether to keep something, ask yourself three questions: Do I love it? Do I use it? Could someone else use it?

An Orderly Nightstand

Designate your nightstand as a clutter-free zone that’s a pleasure to wake up to. Limit yourself to a reasonable number of books. Set out a tray to hold change and jewelry. Park a basket below for blankets or magazines.

Family Effort

Every three months or so, reserve one Saturday morning for a family cleanout. Set a timer for 30 minutes and have each person find things in his or her space to donate or throw away. Box up donations and drop them off right away, then reward yourselves with lunch out.

Recipe for Organization

Have a pile of cookbooks gathering dust? Scan and print the one or two recipes you use the most often, then donate the book. Same goes for recipes in magazines. Tear out the relevant pages, then recycle the rest. Put the pages into clear plastic pockets in a three-ring binder. You’ve just made yourself a customized cookbook with plenty of room to grow.

Organizational Layaway

Practice organizational layaway. Keep a box for things you’re thinking about getting rid of but aren’t sure you can part with. When the box is full, write the date on it and store it. After one year, if you haven’t needed or missed anything in the box, it’s time to toss or donate.

Photos and tips from www.bhg.com.

Looking for some help getting your house in order? See our profile of Marnie Price, of Marnie On A Mission.