Bear Den Country Store & Shopping Blog

De-clutter Your Home, De-stress Your Life

For some people, the thought of tackling the mountain of "stuff" in their home is enough to send them to the couch with a big bag of Cheetos and the remote. This is a typical sweep it under the rug approach, but at some point, they'll have to deal with the mountain of clutter.

Once done, though, these people will find a sense of freedom, knowing that their home is actually roomier than they remember, and they can find anything they are looking for in a matter of minutes.

If you are a chronic pack rat, no matter how much clutter is in the path of relaxation, there are some simple approaches to make the process easier:

Cruel to be kind: Be absolutely ruthless from the start. Begin with one room at a time, or even the desk in your home office. If you have two of anything, toss one and decide whether you really need the other one at all. If your decision process takes more than two seconds, the answer is "no". Toss it.

Create a "six month" box for the items that you are really reluctant to part with. If you haven't looked in the box after six months, get rid of it. Unless it is an antique heirloom, you can always buy another if you really need it. Chances are you won't.

Storage bins are key: Whether they are clear so you can see the contents, or the decorative wicker style, storage bins with labels will keep you organized and create spaces for items you use on a regular basis.

De-clutter family fun?: Absolutely! Make the process a game to start, then show them how the cleaner their room is, the easier they can find the toys or clothes they want right away. Teaching them the golden rule of "one new item in, one old item out" gets them out of the pack rat mentality at an early age.

Someone's junk - another's treasure: With a number of "for sale" sites online, people are cashing in with items they no longer want or need. With a little help from someone in the know, you can post your items on E-Bay, Craig's List or other virtual used products stores. From gently used children's clothing and toys to sports equipment that has collected dust for years, there is something for everyone at the virtual shopping mall.

"To do", today: Make a list of items you want to accomplish each day, or week, and crossing each off as they are done. This not only serves to keep your routine in order, but it creates a sense of relief and relaxation, knowing you have one less thing to do, and more time to relax.