Organize Your Home: The Decluttering Process

The goal of decluttering is to get rid of excess stuff until you're left with only the things you really need, use, and love. You will also move items to the places where they  really belong. This prepares you for the next big step of organizing and storing your things in each space so everything looks and works just right. Start by breaking up the job into smaller tasks. For the initial battle of sorting and pitching, arm yourself with these tools: 

1. Boxes or trash bags for throw-away junk

2. A "donate" box for items you'll take to a local charity

3. A "return" box for items that belong to someone else and for things that you want to give away to friends 

4. A "relocate" box for items that you're keeping but that belong in another room or area of the house 

5. Optional: A "sell" box for any valuable items you'd like to resell for cash

At the end of each decluttering session, do the following: 

• Take out the trash. Don't leave your boxes and bags sitting in the house. 

• Put your donate and return boxes in your car, preferably in the passenger's seat. This forces you to 

deal with them soon and prevents you from driving  by your friend's house or the charity thlift shop

without your drop-off items. 

• Walk through the house with the relocate box and deliver everything to its proper location. 

Set a goal for each sorting session, whether its organizing one shelf in the library or tackling the hall

closet, and finish the job completely before starting somewhere else. When each area is decluttered- and, ideally, cleaned- put away the broom and other cleaning supplies that you used. Leaving them out and in the way will only create more clutter and detract from your sense of satisfaction in a job well done. 

For big jobs, schedule plenty of time to complete the task at hand. Treat the session as a work day by

starting early and taking as few breaks as possible.

Scheduling is especially important if roommates or other family members are involved in the effort. Kids who are old enough definitely should take part in helping out.

However, for some stages of the process, it might be wise to arrange for your kids to sleep over at a friend's house.