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10 Simple Steps To Clear Your Clutter

Christa O'Leary
Author:
November 3, 2014
Christa O'Leary
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Photo by Shutterstock
November 3, 2014

As we start to move into the colder months, we begin to spend more time indoors. The idea of more time inside might be hard to accept if you enjoy the crisp air, inspiring autumnal colors and the opportunity to go apple or pumpkin picking to celebrate the season, but now is the time to begin creating an indoor space that you will love to be in.

One simple way to optimize your nest is to begin removing clutter and organize your stuff so that you are able to truly enjoy your home when you will be spending more time inside.

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In my book, I share simple solutions to help you create an inspired, vibrant and healthy home, body, mind and spirit. Here are some easy tips on how to begin creating a clutter-free and organized home that will bring calm and harmony so you can begin designing your best life!

1. Remove roadblocks.

Sometimes in our need for perfectionism the idea of organizing can feel very overwhelming. This can lead to stagnation or a complete roadblock. Move forward by focusing on what you can get rid of first. This will reduce the psychological burden of the task.

2. Give every item its own place.

Everything you have in your space should have a place. Label the destination if it will help you stay clutter free and organized. This might be a great time to get some of those colorful storage containers.

3. Don't acquire; make a trade.

When bringing new items into your living environment, think about getting rid of something you know longer need or use. This can help cut down on the surplus and overwhelming inundation of items that can pile up in your home.

4. Develop a seasonal system.

Make a point each season to notice what you have and haven't used. It's time to purge whatever you no longer need. When you do this on a regular basis, you develop your own clutter-clearing system that will help you all year long.

5. Focus on a strategic approach.

Breaking the process of clutter clearing down into manageable pieces takes out overwhelm. Don't try to tackle everything all at once this can be defeating. Put a strategy in place so that you know exactly what needs to be done and when.

6. Divide your possessions into four categories.

The process of clearing the clutter is simple. There are four categories:

  • Throw out: First go through and find anything that can be tossed. Include anything worn, broken, chipped, in disrepair, or items you haven't used in years.
  • Donate: Go on a shopping spree for those that are less fortunate.
  • Not ready to part: Place these in a box labeled with the date. If you don't go back to the box in a year, donate!
  • Find a home: Items you truly love should have a home within your abode. Find a place within your space.

7. Don't have too many "favorite" things.

It is important to have special pieces around your home that remind you of happy memories. However, it's also important to be selective with these happy-memory-making items. Clutter is clutter, even with the "good" stuff. It's time to pare down when you are no longer able to see the special tokens because you have too many trinkets on your bookshelf.

8. Just do it!

Take immediate action with the four categories of belongings! Don't leave things sitting around, because this is another form of clutter.

9. Don't get distracted from your items' final destination.

That brings me to my next point, I don't know about you, but I often have bags of items sitting around waiting to be given to this person or that charity. Getting them to their final destination can be challenging for a whole assortment of reasons. If you aren't able to get them to their intended endpoint within a week, bring them to the charity drop-off box down the street.

10. Make your bedroom your oasis.

Begin with your bedroom. Make this a nest that nurtures you and an oasis away from clutter elsewhere. This room is critical for three reasons. You spend seven or so hours in it each day, it's the last room you see before you nod off and the first room you see upon waking. A clutter free bedroom will help you enjoy sweet sleep and positively begin your day.

Your external world has a huge impact on your internal sense of well-being. You can harness the power of your natural instincts that urge you to organize, clear and clean during the fall season.

Additional simple solutions can be found in Home in Harmony: Designing an Inspired Life that will help you design the home, health and happiness you deserve!

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Christa O'Leary author page.
Christa O'Leary

Christa O'Leary is the founder and CEO of Home in Harmony Lifestyle. She is an interior designer, marriage and family therapist, and green-living expert. She has been featured on CBS, NBC, and Dr. Laura. She is a motivational speaker and guest on radio show and podcasts around the globe. Her designs have been featured in national publications and by the acclaimed international fabric house Kravet. Christa will also be hosting a show on Hay House Radio starting on Monday, Oct 27 at 6PM EST and her new book, Home in Harmony: Designing an Inspired Life, comes out on November 3, 2014!