Clutter Clearing For Sanity!
We all identify with our living space to some degree. If that space gets cluttered and clutter truly bothers us, we’re compelled to do something to set it right. So we launch into clutter clearing and swear mightily to never let it happen again. Unfortunately, clutter happens despite our best intentions.
Almost any room greets us with clutter: piles of books, magazines and newspaper, stacks of mail, and unfolded clothes. You might see scattered DVDs, kid’s toys, and video game equipment covering the floor. And then there’s just a lot of should-be-anywhere-else-but-here stuff.
So how do you start clearing out the clutter! Putting a match to the place, hiding out indefinitely in the back room, or taking an extended vacation or shopping trip may momentarily sound attractive, but you quickly get real and recognize the only true solution: clutter clearing.
Because clutter is a guaranteed byproduct of living (it breeds!), learning to deal with it quickly and to slow down its formation may be the best we can hope for (assuming we can’t afford a cleaning service). Here are several tips for quick and thorough clutter clearing:
Focus
Focus on the task at hand. As overwhelming as decluttering may appear, it’s nothing you haven’t done before. If you want to tackle the job in peace, send the kids out to play, turn on some music, and enjoy the solo experience.
If you have the energy to manage resources while you clean, then use the opportunity to teach decluttering principals to your children. Hint: If you can turn cleaning into a game, you’re likely to pull this off with great results.
Prioritize
Before you touch anything, tour every room and area of your home and prioritize the decluttering job in front of you. Where is the most and least clutter? The general rule to clutter clearing is to start with the most cluttered room or area and work your way to the least messy. Use your peak energy to tackle the biggest project first, then everything gets easier from there.
Clear
Once you have a priority plan, remove everything from your first room or area. Place items no longer desired or needed into large bins for a later yard sale, donation, recycling or trash. Really attempt to leave nothing because you can’t think of a better place to put it!
Clean
Once the area is clear of items, gather your cleaning tools, sweep or vacuum the floor, dust the cabinets or shelving, and use glass cleaner on any mirrors, glass surfaces, and windows. Replace any burned out lights. Remove any heavy soiling using commercial cleaners or “green” solutions of your choice.
Replace
Now put back everything intended for that room. If you’ve decided to install some organizing systems first – shelving, cabinets, wall hangers – then do that first. Any effort to keep items up off the floor gives the room a more open feeling and encourages putting things away.
Once you’ve experience the positive results of clutter clearing and having a well-organized, clean and tidy home, the better you will feel about the room, your home, and even yourself. It just works that way. You’ll be happy you took the time to clear the clutter.
Click Here to Download Speed Cleaning Secrets
New Comments