Beat Stress with Less Mess

Conquer Clutter in Ten Simple Steps

Does clutter weigh you down?  Do your messes cause stresses? 

Whether you’re preparing your home for sale; seeking to simplify your life; or if you simply set your sights on getting a handle on that overflowing closet, these ten decluttering tips suggested by MasterClass will keep the messes—and stresses--away:

·        Consider your objectives.  Are you a minimalist or someone who finds happiness in possessions?  Picture your ideal space and know what makes you comfortable.  Do material items bring joy or frustration? 

·        Make your organization project manageable.  Don’t feel overwhelmed with the messy task ahead!  Create mini goals that will help you see your progress.  How?  Declutter one room at a time, one closet at a time, or even one drawer at a time.  Another idea?  Tackle all your knick-knacks at once, no matter where they are...or the stacks of books and magazines, piles of clothes, and so on.

·        Decide what to keep, what to toss, and what to donate.  Separate items into bins to keep you on track.

·        Take price out of the equation.  It is not helpful to keep something just because it was expensive.  Instead, make the “keep or toss” choice rooted in the present and future.  How do you feel about the item now?  How does it impact your life?

·        Eliminate duplicates.  Do you really need five can openers and twelve hammers?

·        Remember surface areas.  Coffee tables, countertops, and even the washer and dryer can collect things.  Take a closer look—can you corral items in a basket?  Can you eliminate such clutter entirely?

·        Make storage attractive.  Stowing things in sagging cardboard boxes and straining plastic bags won’t solve messy challenges.  Get creative: can you build cubbies?  Might floating shelves in the kitchen free up counter space?

·        Seek help!  Family and friends can take out the trash, offer encouragement, or keep you focused—and they might even help you make those “keep or toss” choices.

·        Know the trouble spots.  Does the junk mail pile up in a certain area?  Can you stop at a recycling bin before it lands there, or have one nearby?

·        Stay on top of things.  Keeping spaces tidy is an ongoing task.  Set up a schedule to declutter--it could be daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly--but regular dedication to organizing will keep you mess-stress free!

Post authored by Lora Bray.

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