Being Clutter-Free Can Be Self-Perpetuating

Getting rid of clutter makes keeping the house clean much easier. Vacuuming and dusting, in particular go much more quickly. When a task is quicker and easier, you're less likely to put if off for another day, and when your house is finally cleaner and neater you'll want to keep it that way -- which will help you be more vigilant about keeping clutter from recurring.

"My entry way is clear and I have been purging massive amounts of paper stuff. My nightstand and dresser top are also clean."
~ Clutter-Free Forever! support group member

Setting Time Goals for De-Cluttering

When you feel really inspired to "get it all done today," the motivation and enthusiasm is a good thing (and clearing a full day on your calendar is admirable, as well) but there's a hidden catch. Most of us severely underestimate the amount of time it's going to take us to get a particular task done. It's very possible (if not likely) that you could have the most productive and successful day imaginable yet still not accomplish everything that you thought you were going to get done. And then, regardless of how much you did accomplish, you'll feel like you've failed to reach your goal.

I recommend setting goals based on the amount of TIME you will put in, not on the amount of SPACE or number of TASKS that you are going to tackle in that time. For example, if you have a full day to tackle the office clutter, that's fantastic. Your goal now is to put in a solid clutter-clearing day on the office mess, and to end the day having made substantial, visible progress, and with a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction -- even if the job is not entirely completed by the end of the day.

Tackle whatever aspect of that clutter is bugging you the most, first, so you are sure to make progress with that, and move on to other aspects of the job if time allows.

"I finally have a place to put the vacuum cleaner. Isn't it amazing how something so small can mean so much? For 2+ years, I've moved the vacuum from one place to another. And for the most part, it just sat out in the middle of a room. Now it has it's own little spot in an unused space between the drain pipe and shower stall. It's even behind a lovely white curtain."
~ Clutter-Free Forever! support group member

Taking it Easy with De-Cluttering

Don't let the doubtful, overwhelmed, I'm-not-getting-anywhere-with-this times get you down! If taking a few moments to relax and pamper yourself is what you need more
than clutter-clearing, don't feel guilty about it. The clutter will be there for you to tackle tomorrow.

Take a break if you need to, but don't give up!

"You and our group are such a wonderful support system. I love reading the comments from the other members, I seem to find at least one sentence from each email that I can look at and claim as my weakness, or my triumph."
~ Clutter-Free Forever! support group member

Souvenirs and Mementos

The bottom line is that keepsakes are precious not for what they are, but for the memories and emotions that they bring to mind for us. Those feelings and memories are already present in your mind and heart; do you really need to keep every memento and souvenir as well?

Clutter-clearing doesn't mean getting rid of all your treasures, but sometimes it requires redefining with more precision just what qualifies as a "treasure" to you.

"My husband (who really resists cleaning and de-cluttering) on his own, started removing things from his computer/hobby room."
~ Clutter-Free Forever! support group member