Spring has sprung–it’s that time of year! You know the time. . . You start looking around and see clutter that needs your attention. It could be physical clutter in your home. The bills and papers are in piles. Your garage is a mess. Your office, well, don’t get me started with that one. Or maybe it’s clutter in other forms. Maybe your phone has run out of storage, your mind is cluttered with thoughts causing you to wake in the middle of the night or your car looks like somebody emptied the trash through your open sun roof. Anything ringing true? I’ve got a great infographic that’ll help you get to the bottom in maneagable, bite-size pieces. You can get your clutter under control in less than two weeks, rest easy and feel like a streamlined gazelle. I promise. Let’s do this!
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Table of Contents
Identify your top two messy places
1) You have to start somewhere. Right? So, identify the top two areas of dishevelment (is that even a word?) to tackle first. If you get just those two things in good shape, you’ll feel so refreshed and have the mojo to press on! With these top two items in mind, you’re going to build a to-do list that is achievable and reward yourself as you work through it. Everybody needs that carrot on the stick!
My top two right now are getting a handle on my business excel spreadsheet that I’ve been neglecting to update with expenses, and my master bedroom closet is too full. Now, there’s a reason they haven’t been cleaned up for a while–I procrastinate because it’s something I don’t like to do. You can probably identify with having a few things that you keep putting to the back burner.
You’re zipping right along now
2) Have what you need if you’re cleaning something out (garbage bags, donate box, etc.). Give yourself a time frame that is manageable. Fifteen minutes is a good starting point, so start a timer and have at the first item of your top two until the timer ends. You’ll be surprised what you can do in 15 minutes! Not done with that space yet? Feeling like you could do more? Do another 15 minutes sprint. To put it simply, you’re going to look at your stuff and ask yourself questions like, “have I used this the past year?”, “does it belong here?”, “am I keeping this for sentimental value?”, “do I have duplicates?”
Clearing the clutter deserves reward
3) Did you forget about giving yourself a reward? My daughter often uses this philosophy. She sets up a treat for herself for working through something that’s challenging or undesirable. “When I finish writing this paper, I’ll watch one episode of __________.” Define your motivator and use it. There is no shame:)
You’re nearly a professional organizer now . . .
You’ve got one space under control, so move onto the other item of your top two. You should be feeling pretty good now with some success under your belt. While you’re on the organizer high, dig right in and spruce up the next space that’s bogging you down. Then, rinse and repeat. There are some links to products that will make your life easier at the bottom. Put some of these great tools in place so you won’t have to declutter as often.
Thinking in 15 Minute Increments
If you have the 15 minute mindset, you can get a lot accomplished in just a couple weeks. I bet we all have 15 minutes here or there each day that we could squeak this in. If you don’t finish, it’s okay to come back to it later. It will be messed up and not pretty to look at, but that’s also a motivator for not leaving it that way😊
You got this. Don’t give up!
If you’re looking at digital clutter such as your phone, laptop or social media sites, you can use the same philosophy. Set the timer, choose one thing at a time and start the process. Maybe you have a really full email account like me. You can check the delete box and delete old emails in the evening while you’re watching TV or listening to a podcast. Backup your photos and let go of the ones that you don’t need to see all the time. It’s okay. They’re not permanently gone. Really.
Help from the clutter experts
If you’re among the organizationally challenged, investing in a book or two is super helpful. They’ve gone before you and figured it all out so you don’t have to. Make the process easier by investing in a guide that’ll make your life easier. Here’s a few that I recommend:
Or slip on the earbuds and listen while you work
These audio books are great and the beauty of it is that you can multi-task. Listen while you’re cleaning or cooking or driving! This one, narrated by the author is one I’m listening to right now through audiobooks.com The author speaks from experience and her expertise which is, organizing of course. I keep my stuff somewhat under control, but I’m gleaning new insight from Dana. If the amount of physical books keep increasing at your house, going digital is great. Once you download the book, you always have it, but you don’t have to keep the hard copy and find a place to put it (plus the other 100 books that keep accumulating:). Audiobooks.com has a one-month trial with your first book free.
Need help with closets? Spend a little to save you a LOT of time later
I struggle with keeping my closets in order so I’m enlisting some tools. When I don’t know what to do with something, I find a place for it in a closet. It makes the rest of the house look nice, but the closet starts getting pretty crazy after a while. Check these out–they’re super helpful and not too pricey.
[amazon_textlink asin=’B00ZOH2J5I’ text=’Organize your shoes (I like shoes)’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’inspiredblog-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’1d7b32b9-4757-11e8-ae0c-b7b92d2fbd7b’] Whether you keep your shoes in a closet or by the back door . . .
Don’t forget the kitchen clutter!
[amazon_textlink asin=’B00ZPWGHXC’ text=’Actually locate a seasoning without removing half of them from the cabinet!’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’inspiredblog-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’5518cc3d-4759-11e8-87ba-89f184fe4030′]
[amazon_textlink asin=’B01CMLG4NG’ text=’Win the battle of finding a lid for that storage container!’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’inspiredblog-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’e31055d0-4759-11e8-b7c8-1db2ef2a578d’] Or having them always falling out of the cabinet:(
The hardest part of the cleaning process is getting started. Just give the 15-minute strategy a try and see how it goes. What have you got to lose? Only 15 minutes . . .
Happy cleaning!
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