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 carCollections are the outward manifestation of a deeply-felt principle or... Read More
What's an item that can help you organize every room... Read More
Use these 35 sanity savers this year to help you... Read More
I like a room you can dance in the middle... Read More
In a speech entitled "Organized Living in a Disorganized World"... Read More
Laundry. You sort, you wash, you fold, you blink ?... Read More
If you look at any major organisation, there is this... Read More
Helping people clean out their closet is something I love... Read More
I'm sure most of you have heard of Zig Ziglar... Read More
What does "quality of life" mean to you? If you... Read More
Keeping on task and getting organized starts with a basic... Read More
It wasn't long ago that you spent an entire weekend... Read More
How to do keep track of all you have to... Read More
It is 5:00 pm and Cindy has no idea what... Read More
Clothes. Check. School supplies. Check. No doubt you've got to... Read More
Do you use to-do lists? Do you find it satisfying... Read More
One of the most basic ways to find papers when... Read More
Sometimes major life lessons come from the most unlikely of... Read More
In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More
Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More
There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More
In many of the companies I have worked in, there... Read More
I recently conducted a survey to look at the relationship... Read More
The Mexican VillagerThe American investment banker was at the pier... Read More
What does "time" have to do with getting organized? Everything!... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..Collections are the outward manifestation of a deeply-felt principle or... Read More
I recently conducted a survey to look at the relationship... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More
Take a look around you right now. Look away from... Read More
Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward... Read More
There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More
1. All or nothing thinking/taking on too much." I'm going... Read More
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know... Read More
Some people would say I'm the last person in the... Read More
I recently read an article that had some interesting but... Read More
Light, Work, and YouWinter is here-and with it, short days,... Read More
I have a good friend whom (also being in the... Read More
Remember when you charged into the office that first day,... Read More
What's in a Name?Everything.What do you do with all the... Read More
Nature loves clutter. Just think of all the stuff that... Read More
Last year I attended a presentation from Parenting Expert and... Read More
What does "time" have to do with getting organized? Everything!... Read More
Are stacks of papers, mail, newspapers, and growing "to do"... Read More
I have a huge white board in my home office,... Read More
Whether you are in your own business or an employee... Read More
What does "quality of life" mean to you? If you... Read More
Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have... Read More
Clutter is postponed decisions?. Here are some suggestions to simplify... Read More
You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More
It takes effort to get results, and not just any... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |