It goes without saying that the best way to begin organizing is to first eliminate clutter, making the process much more manageable and even saving money on organizing supplies.
Sources of clutter are everywhere—paperwork, knickknacks, memorabilia, kitchen gadgets and clothing. Starting the decluttering process can be daunting because of the sheer volume of the items in question or the thought that we might eventually use or need the items under review.
Remember—reducing clutter isn’t as intimidating as it seems if you just keep it simple. Consider tackling one room at a time, spending only 30 minutes per day working on the process. In the room in which you’re working, have boxes labeled Donate, Sell, Recycle and Trash. Stick with asking yourself, “Keep, or don’t keep?” versus over-analyzing and spending too much time making a decision on an item. Be sure to take the filled boxes to donation sites, consignment stores or recycling centers as soon as they are filled, ideally, keeping as much out of the landfill as possible.
The process of letting go will become easier, and you will find yourself working through spaces with more efficiency and decisiveness. Give yourself kudos for taking on the challenge. Now, look forward to the next stage, which is creating an organized space
