Are there things that are cluttering up your home that you want to get rid of but you're afraid you may need them in the future?
The top two questions I get as a professional organizer are:
"How do I figure out what items to get rid of?"
"How do I know I won't need that item in the future?"
The secret will be revealed in this article: knowing where to get started, what to get rid of, and what to keep.
What to Get Rid Of: Anything that is not meaningful or useful to you should be going out of your home. How do you know you won't need that item again? You don't! The only thing you know for sure is that you don't need it right now. What you need to believe is this: you will always have the resources to get it again, just like the first time you got it. Believe in the marketplace. It is just as eager as you are to exchange things. If you do need that item in the future, you can easily find another one on Craigslist, eBay, or one of the other online free markets across the US.
Let's just say you sell an unused bookcase on Craigslist for $40 and that one year later you decide you need a bookcase. You will be able to find one within a week or two. Usually you can find one that even better suits your needs. In addition, you have had $40 in your pocket for the past year.
What to Keep: Keep items that are either useful or meaningful. If you tend to love memorabilia, but cannot let go of it, try this simple three-step process.
1. Pull out the top 10 items that mean the most to you and that you truly value.
2. Display your items to honor your memories. Frame a special t-shirt, hang unique items on the wall, or create a shadow box of meaningful jewelry, news clippings, etc.
3. Find a single, large bin or box (less than 15 gallon) for each family member. Pull out favorites and fill the bins. Bless another person by donating or selling the remaining items.
Where to Get Started: Prioritize all the areas you want organized and make a list. Begin with the area you use most often. In one area:
Start clearing out stuff that is obviously garbage or recycling. You will get distracted, but focus on garbage and recycling; don't touch anything else. Here's a focusing tip: put on your favorite song and have it cleared out before the song ends.
Next, have three large bins set out in the area you are working. Items to donate go in one bin, items to be sold in another bin, and items that belong in a different area go in the last bin. If necessary, more bins can be used. When you are done sorting, the bins should be removed from your working area.
After all items have been sorted you can begin organizing. Organize only the items you are keeping. Re-evaluate the area. What specific purpose should it serve? How can you make the most of the space? Is there a way to use the walls to display items and keep them off the floor? Let the answers to these questions direct the organizational process.
If you want help maximizing your space, or if you get stopped on one of the steps for any reason, consider hiring a professional organizer. To find a qualified organizer in your area, check with the National Association of Professional Organizers (napo.net).
Author Resource:
Heidi DeCoux is publisher of Life Made Simple e-Magazine, a professional organizer and creator of the Fast-Filing Method home office filing system . Heidi energizes her readers' by simplifying their homes ... schedules. For more info, free tips, and to receive her FREE Report: The Fast ... Easy Way to Get Organized and Stay Organized Forever, visit ClearSimpleLiving.com
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