Home
>
Get Organized - Organization
>
The 4-Keys to Clutter Free Living - Design a Space that Nurtures Your Soul

The 4-Keys to Clutter Free Living - Design a Space that Nurtures Your Soul

Decluttering is a simple-to-learn process, once you break it down into manageable steps. Tackling too much at once, or underestimating the time and effort it will take to "get organized", can lead to frustration and a "throw in the towel" stance that will further add to your clutter and your anxiety.

By following the 4 simple steps of the SHOO Away Clutter method, you will map out a plan for success. Having a clear vision of what you want (more time, more space, less clutter, fewer things) and applying these 4 simple steps will allow you to achieve your goal.

Since there are a myriad of things that one could organize, we will follow the example of a bedroom clothes closet to illustrate the 4 steps to SHOO Away Clutter. The steps themselves are universal and can be applied to every situation and circumstance.

Step 1 ? SORT

This can be the easiest and the hardest step at the same time. By breaking it down, however, the sort becomes simple and can proceed quicker than you might imagine.

Have 4 large boxes or bags ready for your clothing. Label one box as Keep, one as Trash, one as Donate and one as Other Home.

Use the "1-Touch Rule" ? you touch it, you make a decision.

The Keep items are those clothes you wear regularly, love and fit you properly. Don't be tempted to keep clothing because it might come back in style or because you may get back into them in the future. Keeping things that don't fit costs you space, effort and attention. If you do need a diet incentive, keep one spectacular item and consider donating the remainder. Think of the fun you can have shopping once you reach your goal!

The things to Trash will be easy to identify ? they are stained, ripped, or missing buttons, zips or closures. If you do a lot of craft work or painting, make sure you keep one set of "grubby clothes". Please don't make the mistake of saying "I'll fix it and can wear it again". If it's sitting in your closet and is missing items, you are likely not going to all of a sudden find the time to get it fixed. If you can commit to getting the repairs done within 1 week of your purge, great ? go for it! But you must commit and give yourself a deadline.

Items to Donate include anything that you haven't worn for the past 6 months (1 year for seasonal items like overcoats, winter boots, hats and gloves), anything that does not fit properly (too big or too small) or anything that you just plain don't like. Make sure that your donation items are in good repair.

The Other Home items are things that don't, or shouldn't, reside in your closet. These can include sporting goods, children's items, kitchen items, etc. Put them all in a box or bag and distribute these items WHEN YOU ARE DONE. Resist the temptation to return things as you find them. Doing so takes your focus away from the task at hand.

Step 2 ? HEAVE/HELP

Now that you have done your sorting, you can decide what to do with the items you have designated as Donations and Trash.

Charities and "Dress for Success" programs are always on the look out for good used clothing. Women's shelters are another place where your donation items will do an immeasurable amount of good for those less fortunate. A quick look through the phone book or on the Internet will garner you a list of possible recipients. Some organizations offer to come to you home and pick up your items, so remember to ask if this service is available.

This is also to time to bag up the Trash items to put at curb side on your regular collection day. If you don't have curb side collection, put the bagged items into your vehicle and plan to take them to your garbage depot on your next trip.

STEP 3 ? ORGANIZE

Now is the time to determine your storage needs. Since you have eliminated your unwanted items, this leaves only the "keepers" that need to be organized. You can now estimate how many containers you will need and what sort of storage will best suit your items.

To make the most of your closet, invest in a closet organizing system that will fit your space, or if you are handy, make one yourself. One of the tricks of organizing is to go up and make use of the wasted space at the top of a closet. Choose a system that supports double rods and offers full length storage. This maximizes your closet space.

"Occasional use" items can be stored in either their original boxes or in clear containers on higher shelves. A picture on the front of the box will allow you to easily identify the contents.

Clothing can be hung according to color and item (all shirts together with each color group together). Consider storing folded sweaters in a set of canvas hanging shelves. This prevents stretching. Again, organize by color.

STEP 4 ? OPTIMIZE

This is the final step in the process. Live with your new "system" for a few weeks. See what is working and take note of what is not. Are your most frequently worn items easy to access? Do you need to rearrange some items? The optimize step is where you make the system work for you, individually. Tweak the system to eliminate any hassles. This makes the closet work best for the person who uses it most ? YOU!

Jill Chongva of Align Your Life Organizing ? Lasting Solutions for Real Life?
http://www.alignyourlife.com
Email ? http://www.alignyourlife.com
Telephone (204) 489 0932

Jill Chongva is the owner of Align Your Life Organizing based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her 15 years organizing experience, combined with her ability to multitask as the mother of 4 children under the age of 11, gives her a wide variety of skills, tips and tricks to offer her exclusive clientele. Jill offers a complete range of Organizing Services with a focus on home-based business and virtual assistance.

emergency cleaning services Glenview ..

In The News:

Google search scam alert: fake customer service numbers can give scammers remote control of your phone. Learn how to spot these traps and protect yourself.

Electric vehicles overtake gas cars in total CO2 savings after just two years of driving, with emissions benefits growing over time as power grids get cleaner.

Louvre Museum reportedly used "Louvre" as password for surveillance system during $100M jewel heist. Learn how weak passwords put even famous institutions at risk.

Bipartisan AI jobs bill from Sens. Hawley and Warner would require companies to report AI-related layoffs and hiring to Department of Labor quarterly.

Joe A. from Shelton, Connecticut, lost $228,000 to a ZAP Solutions cryptocurrency investment scam after his divorce, highlighting rising online fraud.

AI-powered autonomous trucks from Waabi and Volvo target U.S. freight driver shortage with Level 4 self-driving technology and NVIDIA computing platform integration.

Survive flight disruptions with expert travel tips: Book early morning flights, download airline apps and know your refund rights during service cuts.

Apple's iOS 26.1 update delivers major security fixes, performance boosts and enhanced privacy controls for your iPhone. Discover why updating now protects your data.

Russian hackers use fake CAPTCHA tests to spread dangerous malware targeting governments and journalists. Learn how to protect yourself from these deceptive attacks.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Miami-Dade debuts America's first autonomous police SUV with AI cameras, drone deployment and real-time crime detection in groundbreaking law enforcement pilot.

Bank impostor scams cost Americans $2.9 billion as criminals use AI voices and caller ID spoofing to steal life savings. Learn nine essential fraud protection tips.

Foreign-owned apps secretly harvest personal data from seniors, making them prime targets for scams. Learn how to protect your privacy and stop data brokers today.

Sens. Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal introduce bipartisan GUARD Act to protect minors from AI chatbots through mandatory age verification and disclosure requirements.

Ghost-tapping scammers exploit wireless technology to drain accounts through small transactions, but RFID-blocking wallets and transaction alerts can protect you.

French pilot project demonstrates wireless charging roads that can deliver over 300 kilowatts of power to EVs while driving, potentially eliminating range anxiety.

YouTube's Ghost Network spreads information-stealing malware through thousands of fake videos offering cracked software, using compromised accounts and fake engagement.

Protect your privacy by disabling your smart TV microphone. Most TVs have hidden mics that listen even when voice commands are off. Learn quick steps to stop unwanted audio capture.

SessionReaper vulnerability hits Magento and Adobe Commerce stores, compromising 250+ sites in one day. Hackers steal data and hijack shopping sessions.

Master essential parental controls and digital safety tools to protect your kids online. Learn screen time limits, location settings and privacy controls every parent needs.

Cybersecurity expert shares six essential steps to protect against dark web threats, including data removal services, password managers and antivirus software.

NVIDIA GPU space mission could revolutionize cloud services by enabling orbital data centers that make apps, games and AI tools faster and more efficient.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Microsoft warns Windows 10 users face serious security risks as 90% of ransomware attacks target unsupported systems. Learn why upgrading to Windows 11 is crucial.

Nike unveils Project Amplify, revolutionary motorized shoes developed with Dephy that add powered assistance to every step for runners and walkers.

The 4-Keys to Clutter Free Living - Design a Space that Nurtures Your Soul

Get Organized - Organization