clutter control

Do you have a door mat to prevent dirt from coming into your home? What about a system to keep clutter from getting in? The best way to control clutter is to prevent clutter.

sort your mail over your garbage can or recycle bin. Junk mail will never make it into your home or on your counter tops!

avoid impulse purchases. Keep a wish list in your purse or wallet. When you see something you want (but don't really need) add it to the list. After waiting a week or so, look over your list. Decide if you truly need, love, or have-to-have anything on your list. If so, go get it and enjoy! If not, throw out your list and pat yourself on the back! You just prevented clutter and saved some of your hard earned cash!

when shopping, do you ever say “I can always return it"? Clutter alert!! How often do you actually end up returning these items? Instead, do these things ultimately become clutter in your closet? If you don't love it in the store, there's something wrong with it. Either it isn't exactly what you're looking for or you don't need it. Let it go ... find something better.

create homes for your belongings. Clutter often results when things don't have a home or the home is inconvenient. Look around your house. What things are causing clutter? Do they have a home? Is the home convenient? For me, a chronic source of clutter was my daughter’s pony tail holders. They were always scattered all over the bathroom counter. I added a simple ceramic dish to collect them. Now they look neat and tidy -- not at all resembling clutter. Once several have collected, I return them to their home in her bedroom.

not sure where to start?

Clutter (and the stress that accompanies it) can be extremely overwhelming. Sometimes it feels next to impossible to dig out. I suggest starting with the area that’s causing you the greatest stress. Focus solely on this area, working on it slowly and methodically. If your clutter hot spot is a single room in your home, start with one corner of the room and move clockwise around the room, sorting and purging as you go.

If the thought of digging in is so overwhelming you feel paralyzed, call in a Professional Organizer. Many organizers offer needs assessment consultations designed to give you the tools you need to regain control. In no time at all, you'll have a blue print for digging out of the clutter and creating a calmer, more in control life.

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