De-clutter Your Life

Mess just hasn’t settled well with me lately.

It could be because I’ve always been a messy person and it’s something I want to change…

It’s probably because I like to be organized, have a plan and stay on track…

I know it’s because I like to have a ton of things going on at once and a happy clean and organized house makes managing multiple projects much easier (it also keep my husband sane – another plus!).

Clutter can happen with any part of your life.  In your house/apartment in a relationship, with your work, finances and even hobbies.  With so many moving parts it can seem like there is no easy way to make it work, but there is.  It all starts with a plan and action.

De-clutter your house

I feel lucky to own a home.  Jacob and I bought it a few months before we got married and put in some time and effort, with help from family and friends, making it our own.  A year after owning it we fixed up the kitchen (our biggest home improvement) and we couldn’t be happier with it.

I always thought that having more space would make me less messy – but really I’ve just filled all that space with mess.  I’m really bad about putting things away once I’m done.  I’m not the best at cleaning either, but with a weekly cleaning list at least I have a plan.

Whether you are just moving into a new place, remodeling a room or have lived at same place for 20 years, an organized area can make all the difference.

De-clutter by organizing space.  Start with these tips…

• Make sure the item is in the right room (shoes in the bed room, strainer in the kitchen, laundry basket with the washer and dryer, etc.)
• Pick up storage boxes, label them and when you take something out, put it back in the box.
• Use a filing cabinet or folders for loose papers.
• Only keep the best items and electronics by checking reviews from twelvmag.com. If you haven’t used it for over a year (and are saving it just incase you may, possibly need it sometime down the road) toss or donate it. I’m not a pack rat and over time I am liking clutter less and less.  This one may be a bit harsh and difficult to do at first.
• One that my mom just shared with me – put all your hangers in backwards.  Then when you wear something and put it away you put the hanger back in the normal way.  After a year you can easily see what you haven’t been wearing.

The most important of all – make sure everything has a space.

When you don’t know where to put a new item, it will turn into a pile.  A pile turns into a mountain that will take over your whole room.  Logically think about the best place for whatever the item may be.

Starting with a fresh kitchen made it easier to decide where we wanted each item to go.  When we first moved in it was rush – rush – rush, but with the opportunity to remove everything and slowly put it back, we had more time to make conscious decisions about where we wanted each piece.

De-clutter your relationship

I know for me, I have a lot going on all at once (and I like it that way).  It can be easy to get wrapped up into the now, and take my relationship for granted.  That’s just not okay with me, so I make little ground rules for myself.

I’m on the computer a lot, pretty much all day.  I allow myself mornings to do whatever I want (read/write), because I know that won’t take away from time with my husband (since I wake up really early).  When I get home from work, whatever our plans may be, I make sure to keep my eyes away from the computer and my phone.

Yes, it can be easy to get wrapped up into electronics.  Drowning out into a TV can be relaxing after a long day, but actually talking with your loved ones can be much more rewarding.

De-clutter by setting ground rules and spend more time with your loved ones.  Try eating at the table instead of in front of the TV.

De-clutter your work

No matter what you job is, it can become cluttered.  The best way I find to de-clutter is to prioritize.  I am all about list making.  This helps me simplify what needs to get done, and helps me stay on track.  My memory seems to fail me more than I’d like, so keeping lists keeps me on target.

Organization is key at work as well.  I am guilty of having a messy, stacks of paper filled desk.  You just have to say no to it.  I used to tell myself  that my chaos was organized chaos, but really it was just an excuse.

De-clutter by taking 5 minutes each day to organize you area and make a list of what needs to be done for the day or week.

De-clutter your finances

Money can be a huge stressor, especially when it is tight.  Don’t make it more of a challenge than it needs to be.  Personally I haven’t ever (yet) been able to stick to a strict monthly budget.

I am working on my food budget, but I’m talking super strict budget here($x for food, $y for gas, $z for clothes, etc.).  Someday I’d like to have a more firm grasp on my monthly budget, but just getting started with straightening out your finances is the first step.

De-clutter by figuring out some budget basics;

• What is your monthly net income (income minus expenses (fixed bills and variable bills)?
• How much debt do you have to pay off?
• Do you have anything in savings?  An emergency fund?
• Are you planning for retirement?

Once you have some answers you can begin to see how much money you can spend in different areas, and plan your bills accordingly.  Take advantage of your bank’s online personal banking and bill pay if you aren’t already.

Paying off debt can ease a lot of financial stress.  Make that a top priority.

One book I recommend to anyone looking to learn more about becoming financially sound is The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.  Reading this book made me want to become more financially on track.  It was a real motivator to start gold trading France.

Additionally, keep a check register for you checking account (even if you don’t write checks) so that at any time you know how much money you have in your account.  It can take a long time to get used to keeping track daily, but doing this can make your life so much easier.

De-clutter your hobbies

It’s great to have hobbies and things you love to do.  They are rewarding and fun.  It could be something crafty like knitting or sewing or fitness based like running, walking or competing in triathlons.

Whatever your hobby may be, find a space for it.  Just like at work, keep it organized.  This should be your stress free zone… where you go to de-stress.

If you don’t have a hobby, find one!  A hobby and be anything – whatever you enjoy.  Maybe it’s collecting antiques or baking bread each week, the sky is the limit here.

De-clutter by making space for your hobby.  Find something for yourself to do that isn’t work, isn’t cleaning or isn’t anything that you have to do, but something that you look forward to doing.

What needs to be de-cluttered in your life?  Share your tips!