Before

I was at Goodwill this week and found a $2 basket and I had an idea.

First, I got rid of the extra water bottles. How many did we even use? How many did we really need at any given time?

These I let go of

Then I put the remainder in the long basket facing the back. Now I could pull out the basket if I needed water bottles and they wouldn’t be tipping over all the time.

After

If you have to get rid of things to make room in your home, things in storage are less valuable and less used than things in your living room or kitchen.

To keep yourself from going up and down the stairs as you declutter, make sure you have boxes for give away, keep, belonging to someone else and a bag for trash.

First, go through things not in boxes. These things have not been stored properly and may not even be useful now. You didn’t care enough about the object to keep it free from dust. Do you really still need it in your home?

Move on to the boxes not labeled. These are boxes you may not have opened for years. They are MISC. Go through them quickly getting rid of the obvious clutter. Consolidate what you can.

Go through seasonal as you put away the decorations each time. You’ll find you may not need 8 boxes of Christmas decorations. Just think what you could store in that space that you may use more than once a year.

Memorabilia is often the hardest. Photograph what you can. Or put them in scrapbooks. Decide how much of your present space you are willing to give to your past. 3 boxes? 5 boxes? Give yourself a limit. Keep a couple baby dresses, but not a whole wardrobe. Other children could be wearing them now if you give them away or sell them. Same with toys. You can hang memorabilia on walls. If it’s important to you, you may want to find a way to display it.

If you are storing your grown children’s stuff, it’s time to pick up the phone and have them get their stuff, if possible.

Don’t buy new storage boxes and shelving until you declutter. You may not need them after all.

Label any boxes you are keeping and keep like together ie gardening, memorabilia, holiday, camping, clothes, and tools.

I love using the basement as overflow storage. Things like cookie cutters, canning equipment and the yogurt maker can be stored there to free up room in the kitchen. Craft supplies stored in the basement can bring room to an office. Out of season clothing can be stored to make room in your closet and dressers.

But you can only do that, if you have purged the storage area of clutter you don’t like, will never use and is not in good shape anymore.

Mary said, "I am so bogged down with stuff. I need help deciding what to keep and what to purge. I have 14 boxes of photos and things from my parents house and am having a hard time deciding how to get rid of things and what things are important to keep."

First of all, no one, not decluttering gurus, best friends or anyone else can tell you what to get rid of and what is important to keep. Only you know the stories behind your possessions and how they affect you.

There is no "should." You don’t have to get rid of anything.

But, if you feel you need more space for your current life, you’ll feel better if you can let go of things.

Here are some guidelines you can use:

• There is no timeline for decluttering a loved one’s possessions. It took us 9 months to go through my son’s room. Declutter in bite sized chunks since it can be emotionally draining.
• It is helpful to go through the objects with someone else – another family member or close friend. You will need support.
• Think about what you will do with the space. Knowing that we were going to create a hang out space for my daughter and her friends made it easier to get the energy to declutter.
• If you have things you’ve deemed important, but they are getting scrunched in boxes somewhere it may be time to do something about them. Put the pictures in archival photo albums or have them scanned into a digital format so they won’t fade away. Or put some on the wall. Other family members may cherish having some of the pictures. Display a china plate you love.
• We were worried about a fire ruining memorabilia so we had some of the pictures and documents copied to put on the wall and put the originals in a fire proof safe.
• Pictures that are duplicates, out of focus, of something you don’t even recognize or don’t bring up any fond memories you may consider letting go of.
• You can ask yourself if something fits into your current lifestyle and goals. People can hang onto only so much of their past before it impedes on their present.
• If there are collections you enjoy, they can be in a curio cabinet instead of in a box. Or on shelves on the walls. See what of your parents or loved ones can be incorporated into what you already have. 
• Things you won’t use, don’t like, or bring up bad memories are good candidates for being decluttered.
• Work on not feeling guilty about letting go of someone else’s possessions. They bought them because they like them. That doesn’t mean you have to like them as well.
• Junk is junk whether it’s yours or their’s. My son had so many little metal pieces, parts to I don’t know what, and broken toys. I didn’t need to keep any of that.
• Old magazines are usually archived so you might want to sell or let go of them.
• Is the stuff bringing you closer to the life you want or further from it?

You don’t have to let go of clutter all at once. Be gentle with yourself. You may start by making one pass through of things that don’t have much emotional attachment. Maybe put them in self storage. Then the next time through you realize you don’t need or want a few more things. Each time you declutter, you let go of more because you enjoy the freeing affect of having more space to live your life.

You find throughout your life and different transitions you will want to declutter. It isn’t a one time event. You continue to bring in and let go as you grow and create a life you want.

Vintage photo posted by ozfan

OK, stretching the comfort zone here. I am putting up my first video (about 2.5 minutes) on a really bad hair day.

In the video I share a few tips on using the declutter calendar (you can find it in the sidebar) and ask you for your declutter calendar tips which you can post below.

http://www.mysimplerlife.com/decluttercalendar.htm

1. Don’t rely on your memory for to dos’ – always keep a list.
2. Attach glow-in-the-dark tape to flashlights, fuse boxes and anything you need to find in the dark during an emergency.
3. Start moving money automatically from checking to savings once or twice a month, or up your current savings.
4. Add wire to the top of the tree to hook to the ceiling or a window to hold the tree up if you have small children or kittens.
5. Find some lovely harp music to listen to.
6. How can you give to those in need this season?
7. Remember how you were as a child during the holidays and bring back that child-like joy.

Solutions

Is Clutter Overwhelming You?

Join me as we create a great plan for decluttering your life and enjoy fun support! I have declutter groups twice a year in January and again in the spring. I love hearing about how much people declutter during our 8 weeks together. Wouldn’t it feel great to have your home with a lot less clutter by March?

This course usually pays for itself as people sell off their clutter.

Starts Jan 23, 2012

http://www.encouragingcoach.com/programs-decluttergroup.htm

***

My under eye circle cream claimed it would even start fading those circles with the new ingredients it had. Not just cover up, but fading as well? I had to get it. As soon as I got home, I almost tore the package open to try it out.

But, I stopped myself.

I have a rule that I need to use up the old stuff before opening the new stuff. I know myself. If I just "try" out the new concealer, the old concealer will sit there for months. We all like the promise of new and improved. The lure of the better.

When I first got this concealer I was certain it would be the best. So the least I can do is finish it up. I can wait a couple weeks before fading my under eye circles.

My mascara that asserts it will make my lashes stilleto length will have to wait while I finish up my mascara that promised lush and full lashes.

This rule works great for skin cream, shampoo, conditioners, body products & hair products. I don’t want a bunch of half opened products that will end up being thrown out or being clutter. How about you?

At the moment how to you feel when you walk into your home?

Most of us want a place we can relax in and be renewed. This will be different for different families. Some like a little clutter and homeyness. Some like spaces that are clear and pure. Some like places full of arts and crafts.

Create Comfort

You can add comfort with green plants (unless you have a brown thumb and dried plants would be all over your home.)

Music can energize or relax the mood in the home. A pure place for quiet time or a cozy place to read might be what renews you. An extra comfortable pillow. Natural objects like shells, rocks and driftwood.

Or maybe a bird feeder outside the kitchen window to watch the cardinals as you wash dishes. Maybe adding some spa ambience to the bathroom.

Decluttering

Decluttering clears out what is no longer helpful in your current life and makes space for your life. Clearing a shelf or taking a picture of the wall can make things more visually relaxing. Is your home more a museum of relics of the past or a place for your current passions and interests?

Many clients begin with me saying they just don’t have time to simplify, organize and declutter or they are too tired after work. But when we break it down into small pieces, they are able to accomplish it. And they find they are more energetic and renewed after work.

Questions to Create the Right Mood

• What type of home do you need to renew in?
• What type of mood to you want your house to convey when you come home?
• How can you make your home more soulful?
• More comforting?
• What lighting do you need?
• What scents can create that mood?
• Where do you need to declutter?
• What art, texture and colors can help create the space you want?
• Are you engaging all your senses in creating the feeling?
• Why is a certain room your favorite?
• How can you create a better feel to your least favorite room?

And finally, what is one step you can take today?

***

Photo by Jocelyn Durston

Here’s a video of one of our past Community Impact days:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYBvmHMfLT4

1. Plan your meals every week or month on a certain day.
2. Work on only one self improvement project at a time.
3. Plan Father’s Day.
4. Lie down and listen to 3 beautiful songs.
5. Limit stuffed animals to what will fit in a toy hammock.
6. Start an emergency fund of 3-6 months wages.
7. Have a regular time to call the important people in your life.

Solutions

Is Clutter Overwhelming You?

Join me as we create a great plan for decluttering your life and enjoy fun support! I have declutter groups twice a year in January and again in the spring. I love hearing about how much people declutter during our 8 weeks together. Wouldn’t it feel great to have your home with a lot less clutter by June?

"Taking the declutter workshop helped me see the areas that needed to be worked on, actually making the time to do small steps and stick to my small increments as I felt accountable to the group. Lots of items were given away allowing my house and me to breathe. I feel better, have less stress and more energy! "

- Jo in Michigan

Last group this year:

http://www.encouragingcoach.com/programs-decluttergroup.htm

All my courses, programs, calls and groups for one low price

Your Simpler Life Bundle

***

Sign up for the Declutter Calendar and Weekly Tips Here: http://www.mysimplerlife.com/decluttercalendar.htm

You don’t have to fill every spot in your planner. You can add space for meandering and wondering.

One of the visualizations I love to use when stressed, is to picture myself in a prairie field with nothing as far as I can see but sky and nature. My face turns towards the sun, eyes closed and arms outstretched. I feel freedom and space. And bring that feeling back to home and work when I open my eyes.

If you are longing for space, what is one small action you can take to create more space? Declutter the dining room table? Replace something in your calendar with a meandering walk or nothing at all? Have a 5 min silent centering time in the morning?

It’s up to you to create space in YOUR life.

***

Need help creating space in your home? You can join the Declutter Group starting Monday for accountability and planning:

Declutter Group

Photo by Mike Cattell

I hear answers like:

Physically

• It makes me more tired
• Clutter sucks the energy right out of the room
• I run into stuff or have to go around things
• I can’t find what I need
• Always moving things to clean
• Pests like clutter
• Too much eating out because we don’t like to cook in the cluttered kitchen
• Wasting time and energy moving stuff around

Emotionally

• I feel badly about myself
• I feel guilty
• Worried about clutter
• Irritability
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Hard to concentrate and focus

Relationally

• Not room for everyone in the house
• Feeling I can’t invite people over
• Boss thinks I am less competent because of a messy office
• Can’t have family dinners because the dining room table is covered
• Being late because can’t find grooming supplies, keys, purse
• Arguments

Financially

• I buy duplicates because I can’t find something
• I have to buy a storage container
• Can’t find bills so they are paid late and we get late fees
• Weather wear on the car because can’t fit it into the garage
• Going shopping just to get out of the house

Do any of these resonate with you? Don’t let clutter do this to you – start tacking the clutter today.

***

If you want accountability, help and support through the decluttering process, the Declutter Group starts May 23rd:

Declutter Group