The "cooler weather," has reminded me of a fresh start and an exciting year ahead. I will be the first to admit that although I may seem extremely organized I am a sentimental keeper. I hold onto things "I think" will come back in fashion or things I believe will mean so much to me in the future but in reality deep down inside I know that much of what I treasure is a waste of space. This Fall I am committed to clearing our place of clothes I haven't worn for a year, old sentimental sorority items, and old College "stuff"that I want so bad to get rid of but thought I would need it for some particular reason.If this sounds like you; if your holding onto things from the past and you know that it's not adding anything to your life besides space, it's time to part ways. Much like a bad relationship. It's best to put it out of sight and out of mind because in reality it's not adding anything beneficial to your life and at some point in time you'll realize that it's only healthy to part ways.
These are 9 tips provided by TLC's Clean Sweep:
1.Start Slow.: It’s taken months for your house to become cluttered so it’s not realistic to try and organize everything in one day or even a weekend. Instead, start small – one room or section of a room at a time. Make a commitment every day to clean sweep another part of your home until it’s done.
Find a de-cluttering buddy.:
2. Invite an honest friend who will help you put things in perspective and help you part with that neon jumpsuit from 1982.
3. Hold a neighborhood garage sale!: Turn trash into cash by selling the items you no longer need in your home. Consider donating the funds to a local charity.
Use the ratio rule.: For every four items you keep throw away one. Challenge yourself and try to lower the ratio to three to one or if you are really brave, two to one.
4. Understand and honor your treasured collections: Items stored in a trash bag in the attic aren’t collections. If you truly treasure those items display them proudly and properly in your home, otherwise get rid of them.
5. Make your bed.: Your mother was right. Making your bed everyday is an instant quick fix that makes any room look neater.
6. Design a place for paperwork.: It’s one of the biggest clutter issues in the home. Have a filing center system for bills, important files and magazines. This cuts down on clutter being strewn around your home.
7. Try the clothes hanger trick: At the start of summer reverse the way your clothes are hung in your closet. When you wear and return an item, replace the hanger the correct way around. At the end of the summer you can clearly see what you haven’t worn and, most likely, what you can live without!
8. Organize your monthly receipts: Use an inexpensive 12-month accordion file to quickly and easily organize your monthly receipts and even paid bills. At the end of 12 months discard the oldest bills and receipts. This is a simple solution to that messy paperwork that can really get out of hand.
9.Understand that it’s not always about ‘the stuff’: Don’t be too hard on yourself. Recognize that the clutter is often a reflection of something deeper that might be troubling you. Dealing with the clutter can open up not only the physical space in your life, but also your emotional, psychological and spiritual space as well!
Use the ratio rule.: For every four items you keep throw away one. Challenge yourself and try to lower the ratio to three to one or if you are really brave, two to one.
4. Understand and honor your treasured collections: Items stored in a trash bag in the attic aren’t collections. If you truly treasure those items display them proudly and properly in your home, otherwise get rid of them.
5. Make your bed.: Your mother was right. Making your bed everyday is an instant quick fix that makes any room look neater.
6. Design a place for paperwork.: It’s one of the biggest clutter issues in the home. Have a filing center system for bills, important files and magazines. This cuts down on clutter being strewn around your home.
7. Try the clothes hanger trick: At the start of summer reverse the way your clothes are hung in your closet. When you wear and return an item, replace the hanger the correct way around. At the end of the summer you can clearly see what you haven’t worn and, most likely, what you can live without!
8. Organize your monthly receipts: Use an inexpensive 12-month accordion file to quickly and easily organize your monthly receipts and even paid bills. At the end of 12 months discard the oldest bills and receipts. This is a simple solution to that messy paperwork that can really get out of hand.
9.Understand that it’s not always about ‘the stuff’: Don’t be too hard on yourself. Recognize that the clutter is often a reflection of something deeper that might be troubling you. Dealing with the clutter can open up not only the physical space in your life, but also your emotional, psychological and spiritual space as well!
These tips were provided by Peter Walsh, an organizer on the hit TLC show "Clean Sweep. Walsh characterizes himself as part-contractor, part-therapist.
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