Simple Tips to Lighten Your Load

Do you crave a simple, more organized home and life?

Do you dread the process of getting there?

Simplifying and organizing is a challenge for most people, but it is TOTALLY worth it in the end…I promise!! And letting go of excess “weight” {clothes, shoes, unused gifts, unneeded supplies, anything you don’t LOVE, etc.} is the first step to creating a simple, more organized life.

So how do you do it?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for any organizing project, but the steps below will hopefully motivate you to keep moving towards a simple, more organized home and life.

1. Visualize the end results.

Yes, sometimes this is difficult to do, but the more clearly you visualize your clutter free home, the easier it will be to get started. It is also helpful to remind yourself how great it will feel once you’ve “lightened your load” and have all kinds of extra space for the things you DO use, need, want, and love.

2. Prioritize.

Ask yourself what area of your home is MOST stressful for you…and then start in that room. Once you start purging, continue to ask yourself what things are most important to you.

3. Eliminate obstacles.

Here are some common obstacles I see when working with clients

Obstacle #1: Emotional Clutter

Purging anything with emotional ties is very difficult. If you find yourself in this situation, you might want to read my post about dealing with Keepsakes and Family Heirlooms or this one about dealing with Inner and Outer Clutter.

Obstacle #2: I want to sell it.

Unless you are super organized and have experience with hosting a garage sale or selling items on Craigslist, I can almost guarantee that you won’t ever get around to actually selling your things. They will simply sit in your basement or garage until you get sick of them and donate them.

My advice is to save a bunch of time and just donate everything now. Yes, you might lose out on a few bucks, but you’ll be done with it and have all that extra space.

Obstacle #3: What if I need it someday?

Odds are you probably WON’T need it someday! However, if you are seriously worried about needing it “someday”, then put the items in a box and label that box with a date 6 months from now. If you still haven’t used anything in the box in 6 months, then donate it.

4: Work quickly.

I always like to start with the quickest and easiest projects…just to get myself moving in the right direction.

For example, I might simply take out the trash, bring the recycling away, or load up the dishwasher. None of these jobs will totally declutter my home, but they make it instantly look better — which is key.

Another thing I often do with clients is to grab a laundry basket and fill it with everything on the floor in one room. Even though we still have to empty the laundry basket, it makes the room LOOK so much cleaner.

5: Build on your success.

I’ve said it a thousand times before, but I’ll say it again…

Set a timer for 15-20 minutes a day to tackle one small area of your home. Keep doing this day after day and you’ll be surprised how much you accomplish. Little by little you’ll lighten your load and create YOUR simple, organized life!

So what are you going to purge today?

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