“Help! I don’t even know where to begin organizing!” To quote a well-known song, “When you read, you begin with A, B, C; when you sing you begin with do, re, mi.” When you organize, you begin by decluttering.
My handy-dandy spellchecker is trying to tell me that decluttering is not a word. Let’s decode the word and you’ll see that it really is a legitimate word. Clutter is basically “a crowded or confused mass or collection” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary). The prefix de- means to reduce or remove, so to declutter means to reduce or remove extraneous collections. I can already hear the gasps and see the heart attacks. Relax; it’s really not that painful, I promise!
Basically, before we can organize, we need to get rid of things that are not currently useful. If an item in your closet hasn’t been worn in the past year or so, it’s time to pitch or donate it (unless you’re pregnant). Same thing with your kids. If you’re saving clothes for the next child, put the nicest ones in a labeled box or Rubbermaid container and store it in the attic, basement, or garage. If you’re never going to read a particular book again, put it on Paperback Swap, sell it, or bless someone else with it. All of those papers you think you just have to save? Chances are, you don’t. Sort your mail over a trash can, shred financial documents over seven years old (and don’t bother keeping statements), and file the rest regularly.
Let’s talk about the sentimental items now. You know, the broken ornaments your grandfather gave to your grandmother; the three teapots that came from your great-aunt; the stained, hand-embroidered napkins; the too-small sweater knitted by your mom; and the list goes on. First of all, go through and throw away everything broken and stained. Next, go through and choose one or two items to display. Ask your children if they would like one special item to keep for themselves.
Here’s a non-cluttered approach to dealing with your other sentimental things: Take a picture of the stuff. If you’re not into scrapbooking, store your pictures in a labeled shoebox. Journal about the memories. After all, that’s what we’re really trying to preserve by letting stuff take up real estate in our homes, right?
What about collections of saltshakers, thimbles, mugs, teapots, dolls, shells, etc? I’m not against collections, really, but only if you have room for them. One idea is to rotate a few items at a time on display (or for usage) with the rest being kept in a box in storage. If you don’t have room to display, use, or store these collections, it’s time to let them go. Choose a few of the most meaningful items and bless somebody else with the rest.
In addition, I always keep two bags/boxes handy in the back of a closet: one of stuff to donate, and one of stuff to sell. Easy in, easy out.
By decluttering, we are making room for living life right now. We’re making room for making more memories. And, we’re making room for organization, peace, and harmony in our homes.
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Q4U: What’s your best decluttering tip?
Bethany LaShell 
You wrote this with me in mind, didn't you? I just know I was your inspiration! haha Good advice. Will you come help me follow it?
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I'm sure you have already answered this in another post–but can you share again what finance papers to keep? You mention here to not bother keeping statements, yet my accounting friend tells me I SHOULD keep statements. I don't know WHAT to keep! Any thoughts on specific finance papers that really do need to be kept?
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Eek! I should have looked further down. Now I see that you have a whole e-book on paper clutter and what to keep!
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My tip (and believe me I am no expert) Be ruthless. Chances are once it's gone you won't even remember you ever had it 🙂
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Ooooh – you remind me of the FlyLady! Good stuff!
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I cannot find your blog post on rearranging your homeschool room–the link keeps telling me that page does not exhist. Did you remove that blog, or is my computer just acting up??
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Taking a picture of stuff is great. Almost everything is sentimental to some degree with me as I have moved around alot (overseas) and everything I bought has a memory. However, it is time to declutter. I will definitly take pcitures. Thanks for the idea!
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