Staying organized - get rid of clutter!
Ranked #27,509 in Education, #510,388 overall
Is your house cluttered beyond recognition?
We all have messes sometimes. Its hard to throw things away, or we just don't clean up as often as we should. Other times is a mental or psychological issue that keeps us from living a clean life. Here I will show you some great tools, and give some helpful advice to get you started cleaning up fast.
New Table of Contents
- Cleaning up clutter!
- Ebay has lots of products to help you stay organized
- 7 Great Tips to Help Clean up Clutter
- What I've disocovered in my research
- Get organized! Great stuff from Amazon
- Decluttering articles from around the internet
- Clean the garage, closet, kitchen office, etc. Yes, its time.
- Is your desk a mess?
- Office Desk Cleanup Products
- What do you think? Has this helped you at all?
Cleaning up clutter!
Tired of mess and junk around the house or workplace? We all are. Sometimes stuff just accumulates and before we know it we are swimming in a sea of stuff!Other times we may have problems dealing with throwing stuff out or we are pack rats and just keep collecting stuff. Before we know it we run out of room and have to store stuff in any free place because we run out of room.
While it may seem a simple problem and a simple solution it will be a lot of work to correct. If its a matter of having stuff accumulate then it'll take a lot of physical work to sort it all out and put it away; 'spring cleaning' if you will.
If it is a mental or psychological problem with hoarding stuff then it takes a lot more. It takes a correction in behavior and how you think. If its really bad then it may take professional help.
There are some who say and believe that what shows on the outside is a great indication of whats on the inside. If we live with a lot of mess and clutter then it shows that internally we have issues with a lot of other things such as stress or worry. In this case its a good idea to find a way to clean up the inside before we take care of our surroundings. Otherwise the mess will never go away.
Believe it or not there are a whole host of reasons why someone may be in a constant state of clutter. For whose who have a chronic problem with it there is a website you can check out devoted to the more psychological side of why we accumulate clutter.
Psychological Clutter Support Group
Is the problem simply a matter of too much stress? Maybe a life that is too full or busy? Maybe what you need is to simply relax and get rid of all that stress. Then you can clean up and live the life you were meant to live. Take a look at this ebook. It is full of 300 or so tips and stress management techniques that may just be the relief you need.
In the end its simply a matter of getting to it and cleaning up the mess. A stock needs to be taken as to what you can keep and what needs to be thrown away. This isn't a time to go over old sentimental value or other attachments. You must be completely honest with yourself at this time. Ask yourself some basic questions such as do you need that? Is it helping at all? When was the last time you used it, or will use it again? If you have a hard time justifying keeping something then it needs to go.
After we've thrown out all the stuff we don't need or don't use, then we need to organize what is left. Categorizing things is the best way. Put things together based on what it is, how its used, maybe size, and other similar characteristics.
After that put them all in bins and place them in an orderly fashion in the closet, or some out of the way place. You can't just thrown them into the closet as this will eat up too much space. Placing them in a logical orderly fashion will greatly help save space and create more room for other things.
This is a very simplistic approach, but it covers a lot of the basics of how to remove clutter and get organized. Below is a lot more advice and information as well as some products you may find useful in your quest to be mess-free!
Ebay has lots of products to help you stay organized
Tools and products to get organized!
There are lots of great products that will help you put away, organize, and keep track of all your stuff.
7 Great Tips to Help Clean up Clutter
clean up clutter - control clutter
Here are 7 basic, simple, yet highly effective ways to help start controlling clutter.
- Put all like items together. Put items in their largest category first, and then break them down by steps as necessary. For example: (1)Put all clothing together. (2) Then break into women's clothing and children's clothing. (3) Then break women's clothing into seasons.
- Create your own "organizing store." Determine a specific place to store any organizing items you find as you sort that might be useful in the future. This could include boxes, hangers, hooks, shelves, bags, organizing equipment, etc.
- Determine the best location for each category. Where will they be used? What location would be the most practical place to have these items. For example, if items need to be secure, choose a location that can be locked or a lock could easily be added.
- Choose an appropriate container. Select one that will hold the largest amount of each particular item you expect to have at one time - or, put some of the item in a convenient place, with additional supplies in some less accessible space. For example, some paper could be under the copier with extra paper in a nearby closet.
- Make containers easy to use. If you want to encourage people to put things away, remove lids whenever possible. For example, a container for videos which requires taking the container off the shelf to remove the lid will probably result in people putting the videos on top of the container!
- Labels contents. Label the outside of all containers/shelves/cupboards clearly. This will vastly improve the chances of items being returned to their correct location!
-
Identify a specific purpose for every container/location. Unidentified containers/shelves/boxes quickly become catch-alls for postponed decisions.
Article Source: Ezinearticles
What I've disocovered in my research
Removing clutter can have a huge impact!
Its unbelievable how much of an impact removing clutter and mess can have in the overall atmosphere of a home or office. When all the mess is gone it creates this almost magical sense of euphoria. A great happiness appears and a feeling of relief and relaxation comes over us.
I should know. Just by the simple act of cleaning up my room, my own little space, I felt a lot more relaxed when I go in there and greatly relieved.
I don't think human beings were meant to live in a messy state. There is an element of control and order that must be maintained in order for us to be at utmost peace.
Chaos causes all sorts of negative emotions and feelings. These feelings can grow to an extreme and be lashed out on other people or situations. Clutter and mess is chaos, there is no other simple way of saying it.
In my research around the internet I've stumbled across various helpful programs from people who have made a career out of helping others stay focused, clean, organized and just living life in an environment that we are meant to exist in.
One such program by Stephanie Roberts is designed to help coach you through the necessary steps to get rid of clutter and junk. Her program, Clutter Free Forever, was designed with the home in mind. Getting rid of the clutter in our home is the first step changing our lives. She, like the rest of us, hated cleaning. Who does like it? Not I. She eventually began to study feng shui and realized how much our surroundings do effect us. So now she knew the why, but not the how. Over time she realized what was needed and developed a program to help those of us without a clue as to where to start. I recommend at least giving it a look.
I should know. Just by the simple act of cleaning up my room, my own little space, I felt a lot more relaxed when I go in there and greatly relieved.
I don't think human beings were meant to live in a messy state. There is an element of control and order that must be maintained in order for us to be at utmost peace.
Chaos causes all sorts of negative emotions and feelings. These feelings can grow to an extreme and be lashed out on other people or situations. Clutter and mess is chaos, there is no other simple way of saying it.
In my research around the internet I've stumbled across various helpful programs from people who have made a career out of helping others stay focused, clean, organized and just living life in an environment that we are meant to exist in.
One such program by Stephanie Roberts is designed to help coach you through the necessary steps to get rid of clutter and junk. Her program, Clutter Free Forever, was designed with the home in mind. Getting rid of the clutter in our home is the first step changing our lives. She, like the rest of us, hated cleaning. Who does like it? Not I. She eventually began to study feng shui and realized how much our surroundings do effect us. So now she knew the why, but not the how. Over time she realized what was needed and developed a program to help those of us without a clue as to where to start. I recommend at least giving it a look.
Get organized! Great stuff from Amazon
Very useful products from Amazon.com to get organized and store stuff efficiently.
Your Spacious Self: Clear Your Clutter and Discover Who You Are by Stephanie Bennett Vogt
Behind our stress and clutter is an infinitely spacious more...1 point
ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life by Judith Kolberg, Kathleen Nadeau
Organizing books fall short of addressing the uniq more...0 points
Eliminate Chaos: The 10-Step Process to Organize Your Home and Life by Laura Leist
Eliminate Chaos is a user-friendly system for organizing more...0 points
How to Organize (Just About) Everything: More Than 500 Step-by-Step Instructions for Everything from Organizing Your Closets to Planning a Wedding to Creating a Flawless Filing System by Peter Walsh
Professional organizer Peter Walsh presents this witty more...0 points
Sidetracked Home Executives(TM): From Pigpen to Paradise by Pam Young, Peggy Jones
Peggy and Pam were two desperately disorganized si more...0 points
Clutter Control: Tips and Crafts to Organize Your Bedroom, Backpack, Locker, Life (American Girl) by American Girl Editors
This guide shows girls how to get organized and cu more...0 points
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: Restoring the Character Ethic by Stephen R. Covey
In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, author more...0 points
Born to Organize: Everything You Need to Know About a Career As a Professional Organizer by Sara Pedersen
Written by veteran organizer Sara Pedersen, this b more...0 points
Organize Your Office In No Time by Monica Ricci
Are you jealous of the neat and organized cubicle next more...0 points
Decluttering articles from around the internet
Learn from others what works and what doesn't.
Sometimes it takes a little help from others to know what to do about how to get rid of clutter and mess. Other people will have lots of advice, usually from experience. They did the hard work now you reap the reward with excellent advice.
- Psychology of Clutter
- For some people, clutter manages their lifestyle and to break the cycle they must seek the help of a professional.
Offering advice for dealing with this condition is Mike Nelson, author of Keep Clutter From Wrecking Your Life (figure A) and founder of the support group Clutterless Recovery Groups. - Why people can't let go
- Most people don't want their house to look like a used-toy warehouse, but when it comes down to getting rid of the clutter, they just can't let go. Why is it that we cling to items of no apparent value? Here are three reasons why people hang on to things: grief, thrift and denial. But first, a short story.
- 10 ways to remove clutter
- Our lives tend to accumulate clutter in every corner: on our desks, in our drawers, on our shelves at home, in our closets, on our computer -- you name it, and clutter finds a way to fill every available space.
But having a simple, uncluttered life is possible, with some very simple methods. - Home organization tips
- What is it about? Organizing various places in the house that are prone to clutter. How and why to 'purge weekly' unnecessary or old and unused junk from your house. There is a bunch of good information here.
Clean the garage, closet, kitchen office, etc. Yes, its time.
Your garage can be more useful when its organized
Different places in your house require different approaches to clean them. The overall methods might be the same, but the hows and whys tend to change a bit. Here I will help go over each area and give ideas of what can be done and why.
- Clutter in the garage!
- The garage is more than just a depository for random stuff. It can be a great place to store things, yes, but it is also a great place to get work done, fix things, and maybe even spend some time in relaxing or just hanging out. Maybe it can be converted into another room or a game room.
- The closet is a mess!
- Closets can be the some of the most disorganized and messy places in a house. Keeping them clean and organized can go a long ways in adding more storage space or helping you find stuff you've put there in the past.
Is your desk a mess?
Mine used to be! Then I did something about it!
Its amazing how much easier it seems to get work done and how much more focused we can be when our work desk is clean.
I just recently got sick of all the random stuff on my desk and I did something about it. Now I find I can concentrate a lot easier and I'm not so stressed out because I cannot find anything.
What is the best way to organize a desk?
1. Start with a clean slate - Remove everything from your desk and organize it into piles as you remove it.
2. Prioritize - What are the things you need or use the most? Pens, paper, paper clips, etc should be placed in an easy to reach drawer or get a stand/container for these things.
3. Big things - Necessary things like a phone, family picture, or desk calender go back on the desk, in an orderly fashion. Place them where you can easily reach them.
4. Smaller things - disks, cds, folders, etc should go into desk drawers if you have them. If not then find a cd rack, paper or folder holder to place them in. The best place for books is a book case. I recommend getting one if you have a lot of books.
5. Important Information - Papers should be organized into their categories or relation and placed in a cabinet or paper container.
A lot of the organization of a desk is based on what is used the most and what is most important. The things that tend to clutter most desks are papers and folders. A good filing cabinet or paper tray is invaluable.
Lastly, and probably most important, is question yourself as to what is necessary on the desk. A lot of adornments and misc stuff just adds to the clutter. Don't be afraid to move stuff off your desk or just outright throw things away.
Office Desk Cleanup Products
When simply removing everything off of the desk isn't enough sometimes other storage solutions are necessary.
Rubbermaid 25021 Rotary desk supplies organizer without supplies, 10 dia. x 13-3/8h, black
Convenient storage for frequently used office esse more...0 points
KrystalView Heavy-Grade Vinyl Desk Pad Organizer, Nonglare, 20"x36", Clear ARZ60640
Clear desk protector of heavy-grade vinyl keeps im more...0 points
5 Slot Adjustable Paper Organizer, Wood (Honey) (10 1/4"H x 13 1/8"W x 10"D)
Is your desk buried in piles of paper? This versat more...0 points
What do you think? Has this helped you at all?
Let me know! Also give any tips or advice you may have.
-
-
Blessedmombygrace
Jan 22, 2011 @ 6:56 am | delete
- You have some great tips and good links on here! Blessed by a Squid Angel.
-
-
-
Your_Spacious_Self
Jan 29, 2009 @ 6:03 pm | delete
- Great lens! There is a lot of very helpful information on clearing clutter here. When you get the chance, I'd love for you to drop by my lens and say hi.
-
-
-
briankennedy
Sep 9, 2008 @ 2:05 am | delete
- Great tips! Love the feng shui style philiosophy. I used to have a big problem with clutter. I spent soooo much time, reading and studying different methods of organizing and whatnot. I like your lens because it reminds me of some of the cool articles and books I've read on the subject. I think the part about having proper storage containers is key. Keep it up.
Brian
Declutter Fast Mimi Tanner Reviews
-
-
-
mulberry
Aug 4, 2008 @ 7:40 pm | delete
- I'm guilty of the opposite probably. But I don't live by myself so ... Useful lens!
-
-
-
PositiveChristian
Aug 4, 2008 @ 11:46 am | delete
- Wow, just the information I need. Thank you!
-
- Load More
by JosephC
My name is Joseph and I'm 28 years old. I love all sorts of things and have a somewhat complicated personality so writing a simple bio is kind of hard... more »
- 1 featured lens
- Winner of 3 trophies!
- Top lens » Psy-Trance Music and Artists
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- The Ultimate Clean House Schedule The Ultimate Clean House Schedule
- Five Fast and Easy House Cleaning Tips Five Fast and Easy House Cleaning Tips
- Minimalist Wallpaper Minimalist Wallpaper
- Homemaking & Housekeeping - Get Yourself Organized Homemaking & Housekeeping - Get Yourself Organized
- Creative Organizing Ideas Creative Organizing Ideas
- Clutter Clearing - You Can Conquer Clutter Clutter Clearing - You Can Conquer Clutter
