Keep, Get Rid Of, Or Not Sure?

Cleaning out can seem overwhelming -- especially if it's been a while since you've done it! But there is a very simple process you can follow that will A) help you sort and separate your belongings into manageable piles, and B) keep you from completely tearing up your house while you are cleaning out! When you begin clearing area, you should have three large boxes close at hand. One box is labeled "Keep" -- one is labeld "Get Rid Of" -- and one is called "Not Sure" (we'll talk about other possible sorting categories later on).

THE KEEPERS

"Keep," is meant for items that you have defined as either BEAUTIFUL, USEFUL, or LOVED. Deciding which items are "Keep's" should be fairly obvious -- if you use it all the time or consider it a cherished memento, that's a "Keep." You may even want to have several boxes of "Keep's" -- each box labeled for a different area in your house. That way, you can take all of your "Kitchen Keeps" and "Bedroom Keeps" and "Basement Keeps" to their respective homes without making 30 different trips.

GET RID OF

This box is for those objects that you are certain you don't want any more. This should not be a hard decision -- you should be able to look at a lamp or an old book and know if you don't want it. You may want to break "Get Rid Of" into some smaller categories -- such as "Throw Away" for the trash, "Give Away" for those things you would like to donate, and a even a "Sell" box for anything you think might be worth money. We will also cover a few other "Get Rid Of" categories later on.

MAKE A DECISION

It's best if you can try to keep the "Not Sure's" to a minimum. This box is supposed to be for belongings that you can't rationally justify keeping -- but some gut feeling won't let you part with them yet. Remember, your "Not Sure Box" isn't a DUMPING GROUND for things that you just don't want to take the time to think about. The last thing we want to do is ask the same questions about the same objects over and over again. Try your very best to make a solid "yes or no" decision about your belongings the first time that you pick them up.

NOT SURE

If you honestly can't decide what to do with an item, put it in "Not Sure." When your box is full, tape it shut and label it. Make sure you list the contents (kitchenware, books, clothing), the date you packed it away, and any special storage instructions on the outside. Then, I want you to stash your box in the garage, attic, or basement ? some place out of the way. Trust me on this one. I actively want you to forget about this stuff for a while. Just make sure that you put your box where its contents won't get ruined (if you are storing something that is easily damaged by heat, don't place it in an attic that has no air conditioning!)

Make a note in your calendar (you are using a calendar, right?) to check back in 6 to 12 months. If, during that time, you haven't needed anything out of your box, it will be a lot easier to let go of those "Not Sure's." If you still can't part with an item, that might be a hint that it is more beloved than you first thought. Either way, this will help you make a final decision about what to keep. You may also choose to create some additional boxes for a few special categories of items:

NEED TO BUY

You may locate a few stray objects that are missing a part or in need of an accessory. Of course, you would be perfectly happy to use these items -- if you only had those essential lost components. Put these fabulous finds into a box labeled "need to buy," and make a list of all the parts and pieces you are looking for. Then you can take the list with you on your next shopping trip.

UNFINISHED PROJECTS

I have been incredibly guilty in the past of hoarding half-finished projects, in the hopes that I would someday feel inspired to complete what I had started. Any item that requires modification or repair before it can be used goes into a container labeled "Projects." However, this box is not intended to be a graveyard for past guilt. Ask yourself if each task is still as meaningful as when you first began working on it. Macram? potholders may have sounded like a good idea 10 years ago, but? And it's okay to admit that you will never write the great American novel. I hereby grant you permission to let go of outdated interests, and to focus on activities that bring you joy TODAY. And if it sits in the project box for more than a couple of months, reconsider how important the task was in the first place.

BORROWED ITEMS

If you are like every other person on this planet, you probably have custody of at least one item does not belong to you. These orphaned souls create a sense of guilt, of incompleteness, and of loose ends to be tied up. How freeing would it be to rid yourself of other people's clutter? Let's put these in a box labeled "To Return."

Once you have freed yourself of everything that doesn't belong to you, doesn't serve a purpose in your life, or really doesn't mean anything to you, you will find it much easier to organize the rest. And you will have taken a tremendous weight off of your shoulders -- the weight of unnecessary clutter. Just be sure to go through this process at least once a year to keep that clutter trimmed back!

Ramona Creel is a Professional Organizer and the founder of OnlineOrganizing.com -- a web-based one-stop shop offering everything that you need to get organized at home or at work. At OnlineOrganizing.com, you may get a referral to an organizer near you, shop for the latest organizing products, get tons of free tips, and even learn how to become a professional organizer or build your existing organizing business. And if you would like to read more articles about organizing your life or building your business, get a free subscription to the "Get Organized" and "Organized For A Living" newsletters. Please visit http://www.onlineorganizing.com or contact Ramona directly at http://www.onlineorganizing.com for more information.

executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport car
In The News:

Getting virus alerts on your iPhone? Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you learn how to handle fake scam alerts and boost security.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says opening emails is safe, but risks arise from interacting with links, attachments or HTML content.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals four signs of compromised Social Security numbers and offers five steps to protect yourself.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how MAB Robotics' Honey Badger 4.0, a versatile robot, now walks underwater with amphibious skills.
An updated Android trojan called FakeCall hijacks bank calls. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says Android phone manufacturers and Google need to step up their game on security.
The Massimo Modular E9 is a sleek, smart and comfy tiny home in 409 square feet. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson takes a closer look at what the future of housing might look like.
Every stock trader should consider a virtual private network to safeguard their trading, according to tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson.
Apple recently announced its new lineup of Macs and rolled out Apple Intelligence, its latest artificial intelligence-powered feature for its products.
A Swiss-engineered robot can climb ladders, showing why it's at the cutting edge of autonomous robotic solutions for harsh industrial settings.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson presents the cities targeted most by robocalls, why this is happening and what you can do about it to protect your privacy.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson shares tips and suggestions for how to get the best use out of the updated Calendar app available with the latest iOS update.
Your Social Security number, your unique identifier used for many purposes, has likely been leaked on the Dark Web; here are some steps you can take to protect yourself.
Researchers have developed a new technology that creates strong, sticky fibers capable of lifting objects and capturing things from a distance.
Smart rings track the same things that smartwatches do, including steps, sleep and a general overview of your overall health, and they tend have more battery life than smartwatches.
Researchers have developed a robotic finger that can perform routine medical exams like those conducted by doctors, helping to address the growing shortage of trained professionals.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Insurance administrative services company Landmark Admin reported that a data breach from a May cyberattack affected over 800,000 people.
Sotheby's will auction the first artwork created by Ai-Da, the world's first robot artist created in 2019 by British gallerist Aidan Meller.
More than 250 million users of the Verizon Messages app will have to switch to another app. Verizon is shutting down Messages in the next month.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson provides a list of 10 celebrities who are the most targeted by deepfake scams, including Tom Hanks.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how Vast's Haven-1, launching in 2025, transforms space living with human-centric design.
UnitedHealth confirms over 100 million Change Healthcare users had their data stolen. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals what happened and what caused the breach.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how iOS 18 brings new text formatting and animated effects to the Messages app.
Whether you're a social media veteran or novice, Facebook friend request scams are common. Kurt the CyberGuy provides tips to keep your account safe.

Are You A Collector?

Collections are the outward manifestation of a deeply-felt principle or... Read More

Organize (and Decorate) Your Home on a Budget with Baskets

What's an item that can help you organize every room... Read More

35 Santity Savers - Get More Productive

Use these 35 sanity savers this year to help you... Read More

The Clutter Campaign - Design Your Vision

I like a room you can dance in the middle... Read More

Getting Organized - Getting Fit

In a speech entitled "Organized Living in a Disorganized World"... Read More

Organizing Tips to Help You Conquer the Laundry Monster

Laundry. You sort, you wash, you fold, you blink ?... Read More

Organisation - Getting Back To Basics

If you look at any major organisation, there is this... Read More

Cleaning Out Your Closet

Helping people clean out their closet is something I love... Read More

Can You Really Improve Your Organisation Skills

I'm sure most of you have heard of Zig Ziglar... Read More

Improve Your Workplace to Make Your Life Better

What does "quality of life" mean to you? If you... Read More

Quick Organizing Tips From Assistance For You

Keeping on task and getting organized starts with a basic... Read More

The Love It Or Lose It Principle: One Simple Key to Living Clutter-Free Forever

It wasn't long ago that you spent an entire weekend... Read More

Heres A Great Way To Organize Your Work From Home Office Virtually

How to do keep track of all you have to... Read More

Managing Mealtime Madness

It is 5:00 pm and Cindy has no idea what... Read More

Family Management Tip #3: Getting Ready for the New School Year

Clothes. Check. School supplies. Check. No doubt you've got to... Read More

The Problem With To-Do Lists

Do you use to-do lists? Do you find it satisfying... Read More

3 Simple Filing Guidelines

One of the most basic ways to find papers when... Read More

Life Lessons - Get What You Want; A Lesson from a Green Sea Turtle!

Sometimes major life lessons come from the most unlikely of... Read More

Do You Have Scatter-Brain-Itis?

In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More

Four Tips For Clearing The Clutter

Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More

A Personal Action Plan for Change

There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More

Organization and the Opposite Sex

In many of the companies I have worked in, there... Read More

Calendars and Personality Type

I recently conducted a survey to look at the relationship... Read More

Balance - And Other Things

The Mexican VillagerThe American investment banker was at the pier... Read More

Organizing - Time is of the Essence!

What does "time" have to do with getting organized? Everything!... Read More

O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..