Clutter Busting Coach

…clearing clutter from your mind, body and space

clutter

Declutter Your Kitchen Pantry

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Do you know what you have in your pantry? Are all expiration dates current? Is it full of processed foods? To get yourself organized for healthy eating and to focus of whole versus processed foods which I will speak about it my next post take inventory of your pantry.

If this wasn’t part of your earlier organizing, do it now. Either right now or schedule 15 – 20 minutes this week and
o Toss those foods that are expired.
o Donate those foods that are fresh but you have not used in six months to a local food bank.
o Store like things together.
o Make a menu from the items remaining and challenge yourself to live out of your pantry for a week.
o Plan a grocery list to include staples that you use regularly and don’t buy multiples if you don’t use them quickly.

Schedule this activity to happen every couple of months and your pantry will stay clutter-free and you may even save on your grocery bill.

The Decluttering Cure: Conquering Chaos

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The Oxford English Dictionary defines Chaos as: Utter confusion. Behavior so unpredictable as to appear random; formless matter supposed to have existed before the creation of the universe.

The unplanned life can create chaos. Chaos comes in many forms but UNPREDICTABILITY and CONFUSION are the key factors in all its variables.

Answer these questions to see if you’ve entered a state of CHAOS. [Read more…] about The Decluttering Cure: Conquering Chaos

Clutter Busting: For the Holidays

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With the holidays fast approaching are you looking forward to them in anticipation or dread? Do you look around the house and wonder how you are ever going to do all the stuff you need to do for your family to have a great holiday season and for you not to be stressed out?

It comes down to attitude and action. Over the next few weeks I will address a variety of topics designed for clutter busting for the holidays.

Are you a pack rat? Do you procrastinate? Are you sentimental about your stuff? Do you not have time?

Clutter busting for the holidays really starts with your mental clutter.

As a first step to clutter busting for the holidays visualize the holiday you want this year. Do you want a large family party or a quiet time at home? Do you want to deck the halls, the stairs, every room and the exterior of the house or is a tree enough?

Once you understand what you want, you can start to look at your beliefs about the holidays and determine which ones still serve you and which you need to discard… or which are mental clutter.

Once you have a clear picture of the holiday you desire, you can then move toward the holidays with anticipation and not fear. This will also set the foundation for the plans and actions that will move you toward a stress free holiday.

Clutter Busting: Home Décor

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Fall is a great time of year to get a handle on your clutter. In my childhood home, there was such a thing as fall cleaning where everything was moved, dusted, washed and re-organized.

If you don’t have the time or the energy to do a thorough house cleaning, just getting rid of the overflow can help you feel more energized and in control.

Here’s how:

  • Pick one room and then fill a box with any clutter …extra pillows, decorative boxes, vases, candles, etc.
  • Put the box away for a week and enjoy the room without stuff.
  • After a week, pull out the box and look at each object and ask yourself if it gives you joy or is it just “stuff”.
  • Only put back what you truly love and enjoy.

A room without clutter can give you a sense of control and help you move forward. Decide on your goals for the next couple of years and clear your space accordingly by removing anything that does not relate to your immediate plans.

Don’t let your stuff keep you in the past. If you allow your living space to get out of control, you take the chance that your life will follow suit.

Do You Have an All-or-Nothing Attitude?

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If everything isn’t perfectly organized, why bother? Does that sound familiar?

That type of thinking can get you stuck and cause clutter to get the best of you. This type of internal message is an outgrowth of perfectionism and guilt. It stops you from getting started and gives you an excuse because it fosters the belief that if it isn’t perfect then it isn’t worth doing.

The solution is to get real. No house can look perfect all the time (especially if you have others living with you or unless you live with the Cleavers or Nelsons). Here are some suggestions to help you get real and deal with the all-or-nothing attitude:

  • Start being realistic and ask yourself “when is good good enough? Evaluate your beliefs and the vision you have for your home.
  • Do the worst first. Tackle your messiest area first or what I call your “hot spot”. By clearing the clutter away and organizing one area you can get a sense of accomplishment which can help motivate you to move on.
  • Simplify your expectation. Instead of expecting that you will spend all day de-cluttering, organizing and cleaning. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Pick a room or just go through the house with a garbage bag and see what you can clear away or toss in that timeframe. This sweep can create enough flow or movement to keep you going the next day.

So which spot are you going to tackle today?

“Don’t let what you can’t do interfere with what you can do.” ~ Anonymous