De-clutter: It’s more than just ‘stuff’

Hi there! I want to talk about clutter. 
We all have it- whether its physical, material possessions or just obstacles that keep us from pursuing a more fulfilling lifestyle. Because of my career and love of all things bright and beautiful, I’m going to talk about physical clutter here. Here I set out a process and some tips to help achieve the goal: a clutter-free life! 


1. “Eat a frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day.” Although unsavoury, these words by Mark Twain hold truth. Tackle the problem of clutter first thing in the morning, or when you have lots of energy. By doing so, there is less chance of getting frustrated and giving up. 


2. Get rid of garbage and dust first. If you are surrounded by lots of things that need to be thrown out- get an industrial garbage bag and dump it all in there! Or if you have lots of  dust to walk through (lets say it you’re cleaning your storage room or garage) sweep up the dust of the floor first. If you keep tripping over garbage, or keep sneezing because of the dust, you’ll be gritting your teeth throughout the whole process. 
P.S. This part gives a great sense of relief and satisfaction- because it can be done relatively quickly. 

3.  Alright- that wasn't too hard! Now you have a “clean” slate! Next task- tackle the elephant in the room (now that we have dealt with the little slimy amphibian.) Seriously do it. I know you know what I'm talking about- its that disastrous craft drawer in your spare room, the tupperware drawer, the storage under the stairs, or the section of the basement your just want to take a flame thrower to. Hard jobs first!   

4.  “But where to start” you cry! If its little knick-knacks or crafts, there are many stores that can greatly assist with organizational compartments, little boxes, and storage bins. If the mess is on a large-scale, like a garage or storage room- invest in shelving units and totes to start sorting and categorizing the extra things. 


5. Be intentional and realistic with the time and work needed. If you need to schedule a whole day, and need the help of a friend or family member to get the job done properly- do  that! 

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6. Have fun with it! Put on some music, toss your hair in a bun, and have lots of coffee and snacks kicking around. If you do it with a sister, you might find things that you had growing up, making it a day of memories! Or if you have a friend helping you, lots of laughs will be had about “how ever did I keep all this stuff?”


Living a clutter-free life is a choice, and you need to be very intentional about it. Let’s face it- ‘stuff’ gets compiled so quickly and if we don't do anything it will only get worse. So start de-cluttering- today! 

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