Clearing Out Clutter

In almost every household, there is at least one pack rat. Maybe closets are filled with magazines from the '90s or useless but sentimental gifts. If you take the energy to clear out this clutter, your home will be much easier to keep tidy. The best part is that you don't even have to leave your home to get rid of it!

I find it easy to have CADD, or Cleaning Attention Deficit Disorder. I can start by washing the dishes, then as I put away a pan I notice that the laundry needs to be changed over. As I change over the laundry and take it to the bedroom to fold, I notice that the bed needs to be made. After exerting a great deal of effort, I don't have much to show for it. To avoid this mess while cleaning out clutter, I concentrate my efforts on one room. I find that it's best to start with a small room, like a bedroom or even just a closet. Bring a trash bag and a laundry basket with you.

Start to go through the clutter. When you find something, ask yourself if you have used this item at all in the last year. If you haven't used it in a year, chances are that you won't use it again. Are you just keeping it because Great Aunt Rita gave it to you? Hold the object in your hand, say a thank you in your heart for the love Aunt Rita showed you when she gave it to you, and then get rid of it. Are you hanging on to magazines because there was a recipe you liked or an article that piqued your interest? Copy down the recipe or scan the image of the page. The best thing about scanning the whole page is that you can keep the part that was important to you, and recycle the rest of the magazine.

You should separate your mess into three piles: Trash, Give Away or Sell, and Keep. The trash pile should be for trash only. The give away or sell pile should be for things that can go into a garage sale, sold on ebay or craigslist, or things you can give to the thrift store or freecycle. Your keep pile should be the smallest pile.

As a general guide, high ticket items like electronics do well on ebay. Large items like baby furniture are right for craigslist, because they can be picked up locally. Only keep things for a garage sale if you are planning on having one within a month. Any longer than that, and you are just starting a new clutter pile. If you have a large amount or large sized items to give away, many thrift stores offer pick up. You can also sign up for a local freecycle group. After creating a listing, people will offer to come and take away your trash!

Once you have finished your room, take the trash out. Then take the Give Away or Sell pile and move it to another location out of sight. You must do this until it is out of your house to avoid the temptation of fishing things out of it. You have made the decision that you don't need it anymore so stick to it! Put away your Keep pile. Your room should look much better, and give you the confidence to tackle the rest of your home.