More Tips for Dealing With Clutter

By Jessica Hoelzel

Are you crazed and frazzled – not thinking it’s possible to stop for one minute and reflect upon your clutter situation and how to deal with it? Are there hardly even the briefest of moments free in your hectic day?

If so, here two methods to make a dent in the clutter chaos, without having to set aside too much time or attention. Keep in mind that these are only quick fixes, and if you are very serious about turning your clutter situation around, it will take reflection, time, effort and commitment. Click on my earlier post Dealing With Clutter http://day2dayfengshui.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html for a more comprehensive plan of action.

1. Nine things a day
I learned this method from my teacher, international Feng Shui expert Carole Hyder. http://www.carolehyder.com/. The number nine is considered a lucky and mathematically magical number in Chinese culture – so consider luck on your side when practicing this, and added fuel to achieve results and attract good fortune. And it’s so easy! You will probably far surpass the expectations you have at first.

Begin by setting your intention – also very important in Feng Shui. (Nothing in Feng Shui should be done willy-nilly or you will get willy-nilly results!) Your intention could be, for example, to clear off your desk so you don’t feel so overwhelmed, like you are never making progress, and instead feel in control and effective at your work.

After setting your intention, remove nine things from your desk (or wherever) per day. Other places this could work well are for the kitchen counter, the mud room, your bedroom closet or your car.

These nine things are going to go to one of three places:
The garbage/recycling
Put away elsewhere
To donate

Remember, nine is your magic number – you can incorporate the numeral in other ways for added success too, such as doing this for nine days, nine weeks, etc.

2. Set a bag or box out
This one is so easy it’s almost effortless! Simply set a large, sturdy bag (like a shopping bag) or a box out in an area. This bag/box will be your donate receptacle. Good places for this could be the kitchen or your bedroom closet. Every time you touch or see something that you do not use or love, just place it in the bag/box. In the kitchen it might be gadgets, cups or plastic containers. In your closet it might be things that are out of style, worn or don’t fit.

Things not suitable for donating should go in the garbage. If you find you have a considerable amount for the trash, you can place an additional receptacle in the area. If you aren’t able to make a decision right away about whether it is trash or donate, just put it in the donate box and decide later. The point is to make quick decisions and purge what you don’t want in your space.

This can also work in the office, for paper. But, of course you wouldn’t be donating any paper – who the heck would want that? (Well, maybe identity thieves.) Make sure to shred anything that has your confidential information on it, such as account numbers. With everything else, set out your recycling container in a prominent place and when you see or touch something that is outdated and/or no longer relevant to you, pitch it!

Rule: Once it is in the bag or box, it is not allowed back in your space! Don’t try to “save” things later. You’ll need to trust your gut on this one, and if you had any inclination at all about not liking or needing it, it’s probably right.

Remind yourself that you are doing this to gain freedom and peace, and you should have your area rejuvenated in little time at all!

Stay tuned for:
Clutter-Free Holidays
10 Tips for Decluttering After the Holidays
Organizing New Beginnings for the New Year