~Seneca
Unlike a tornado, clutter doesn’t just happen. It gets that way over time. Sometimes clutter is so insidious that we don’t even notice it until we are deluged by it. Hopefully, you’ve learned some things about clutter this month, like what it is, what to do about it, and how it’s different than disorganization. But, just like any good habit, such as exercise, decluttering isn’t something you do and then it’s done: it’s something you start and then keep doing.
Too often people are bitten by the declutter bug and make one big push to declutter. That’s wonderful and having your clutter cleared in one fell swoop feels incredible and unburdens you. Most of the time, though, clutter is related to a vitamin deficiency. Either someone is frozen in fear and doesn’t do anything about the clutter, usually because they’re just overwhelmed, or they do it once or then forget about it for the next 25 years. The key to both is Vitamin C – “consistent C.”
The daily approach
Just like exercise (Vitamin X), decluttering has to be a daily habit because clutter happens on a daily basis. The tips below are all strategies for dealing with clutter and keeping it from overwhelming you again. Doing just one of the strategies will help you keep clutter from becoming a serious problem or making a serious problem even worse.
Schedule it. Having a regular routine for decluttering is the single best way to keep it from getting out of hand. Pick a daily time that’s convenient such as every day at four o’clock. Then, spend fifteen or so minutes working at removing clutter (tossing mail, magazines, clearing out the refrigerator). Make it long enough you can accomplish something but not so long that you’ll give up.
Set a weekly goal. Pick an area of the house each week that needs attention and take steps to declutter and organize that area. Having a weekly goal (and reaching it) will give you a great sense of accomplishment.
Declutter with other activities. Instead of just putting freshly-washed towels away toss out your old tired towels first. Or, while your child is getting ready for bed, take a moment to go through some drawers and remove outgrown or stained clothing. Decluttering as you do other things makes decluttering part of daily living.
Make it a habit. Don’t unload groceries into the refrigerator that’s messy or cluttered with jelly jars with only a teaspoon of jam in them. Instead, quickly go through the fridge and toss old items out and wipe down shelves before restocking, and do the same in the pantry. Likewise, if you take a phone message and the pen you’re using doesn’t work, make it a habit to throw it away and not put it back in the holder (and I know you do this!).
Be a clutter friend. If you lose your objectivity with your clutter, invite a friend over to your house to help you declutter. The friend will be more objective about the rationality of keeping that old broken mixer from your Aunt Helen – and give you the strength to part with it. Be sure to return the favor, too.
Buy a label maker. Label shelves in closets, pantries, cabinets, and even the freezer and refrigerator to show where items should go. This helps you keep items neater, more organized, and they won’t look as cluttered.
By following a regular, consistent pattern of living and dealing with clutter, you will keep your home neater, cleaner, more organized, and you won’t re-purchase those things you simply couldn’t find. You’ll enjoy going home and being there, too.
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Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Everydayclean.com Calender -- the calendar that helps you end the power struggle with your house. Keeping a clean home is about knowing what to clean when. Virtually everything that needs to be cleaned is on this calendar in a year-round cleaning schedule that helps you keep your house clean easier and faster. Click here for more information.