Clear Your Clutter - Manifest Your Dreams!

On average every one of us owns about 10 000 things. That is a lot of stuff to handle. Chaos theory turns into reality in a parents' life - we experience it first hand, every day! 'I'm the only one who hasn't got a proper filing system in place' you might secretly think - but hey, we're all familiar with the scenario: The desk has disappeared under heaps of dodgy bits and papers have therefore developed a life of their own and spread into all sorts of funny places... The kids' toys seem to weirdly breed somehow and duplicate by the hour... Getting the wardrobe doors to shut turns into a new exercise regime - and once you've managed to pry them open, you find that you don't fancy wearing any of the stuff that falls out...

Despair not! When it comes to clearing, the most difficult step is to make a start at all. Don't be overambitious and kid yourself into thinking you'll sort out an entire room or storage space in one go "next weekend/when the kids are in bed". Only ever tackle one small area at a time: one drawer, two shelves in your wardrobe. Make an appointment with yourself, and show up! To pencil in half an hour is realistic and achievable. And with that success under your belt, you'll find yourself all fired up to move on to the next project.

Clutter Clearing can be regarded as a chore. Or you could decide to see it as a means of clearing the energy of the space around you, so you can be closer to your vision and goals - and how exciting and empowering is that!!

So, let's start - out with the old and in with the new (please note, new here as in: experiences or friends - not necessarily shoes or DVDs!)

• Clear by using different boxes and bags: rubbish, recycling, charity, returns - create your own categories.

• Wear a colour that cheers you up and listen to your favourite (upbeat!) music.

• Start off with easier clutter like old magazines, then slowly progress to more challenging sentimental stuff like presents or photographs. (Note on presents: Keep the love that came with the gift and let the thing go.)

• Always clear from the inside out. However tempting it might be to just tidy the surfaces, for real clearing success you need to create storage space first: everything must come out of that cupboard. Be aware of the fact that it will get worse before it gets better and have a cup of tea and/or supportive friend at hand to see you through this slightly chaotic stage of the clearing process.

• Find a place for everything - to then be able to keep everything in its place. If toys haven't got a dedicated storage space, children are not able to tidy up. They simply don't know where things go. Tip: Try to reorganise while clearing - find a permanent home for every thing; store similar items together; keep things near where you are going to use them.

Clutter clearing can be the most fascinating journey of self-discovery: slowly unearthing what it is about you and your billions of books or bags... - What essence do you collect (books might symbolise education, open-mindedness..) What do your things stand for? Even if we are tricked into believing this every single day: we are not what we have. In the end: we are what we are!

And most importantly: while clearing, always focus on what you have achieved already - not what is still to do. Congratulate yourself on how far you have come!

Birgit Medele was born in Germany 30something years ago. She completed a degree in history and languages in Munich and worked as a journalist. Then she decided to go to London for six months. Well, 12 years later, she is still there:-). She studied Fine Art at Central Saint Martins and discovered her love for all things interior.. - What fascinates her most about clearing and organsing, is that you literally sort your life out at the same time - magic!

She has been inspiring international audiences with her ideas on how to unburden yourself of things, thoughts & emotions that have turned into clutter.

She lectures and trains in both German and English and is currently writing her first book. (- You don't happen to be (or know) a publisher, do you:-)? )

Please visit her blog for inspirational articles on clearing: http://birgitmedele.wordpress.com
Or follow her on: http://www.twitter.com/BirgitMedele

Clear Your Clutter to Raise Your Vibrational Level

If you are working and living in a place which you find visually appealing, functions well and is healthy, your vibrational level will be raised. On the other hand if your environment is depressing to you, cluttered and toxic, your vibrational level will be lowered. Of course, there are many degrees of all of these states.

1. VISUAL APPEAL

How do you find your environment? Do you love to be in it or does it depress you? You may have some limits of what you can do to change it-money, landlords, bosses etc. But there will be some things which you can do easily. Bring in some uplifting colours with cushions, swathes of fabric - easily found in thrift stores. Having plants or fresh flowers can help. Changing the layout of furniture, so that you have easy access to all areas. Covering up any areas that are an eye sore.

2. FUNCTIONABILITY

Can you easily use the space for what it is for? For instance, can you find the clothes you want to wear today easily, or do you have to go through your favourite dress from 1988 and other things to get to them? Is your closet full of clothes that no longer fit you? Do your children have too many clothes? If so, sort them out! Ask yourself - Have I worn/used this in the last year? If not, do I absolutely love it? If the answer is no to both questions - pass it on. My friends and I regularly meet to have clothes swops - we all bring clothes or other small items we no longer use and anyone can take what they want. The rest is bagged up and goes to charity. We have great fun and it keeps things flowing. You can do this in all areas of your life. If you have closets you can't get into - sort them out, asking the same questions as above. Be careful about keeping things because they may come in useful one day! You don't have to do everything at once. Start with one drawer, one shelf, one box. That's all you have to do to make a start.

3. HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

Make sure that you keep your environment as healthy as you can. Open the windows regularly to let fresh air circulate. Avoid using plug-in air fresheners - they are pumping chemicals into the air al the time. Turn off electrical items when you are not using them. Plants can help to clean the air of toxins. The following have been found to be beneficial.

Areca palm

Reed palm

Dwarf date palm

Boston fern

Janet Craig dracaena

English ivy

Australian sword fern

Peace Lily

Rubber plant

Weeping fig

What can you do today to increase the vibrational level in your work or office space? Where do you have too much clutter in your life? What could you do to clear it? Chose one small thing -and DO IT.

Christine Jenkins

Thank you for reading my article. I hope that you enjoyed it. If you did, I would like to invite you to visit my blog - http://www.goodvibrationscoachingblog.com - to read about more ways to raise your vibrational level and to attract more of what you want into your life.

7 Tips For Clearing The Clutter

Have you ever stood in the middle of your living room and thought, "Good grief, this room is a mess!' I am sure you have, as in fact, I am sure we all have at some time. Maybe for some of us it is only after the night before with friends. But, with lots of us, especially those with small children, it could be every day. You need help clearing clutter!

Piles of magazines, newspapers, CDs, remote controls, the children's toys and odd bits of clothing. Am I describing what faced you after breakfast today?

If so, follow my tips and they will help you clear your clutter.

1. If possible, send the children to grandparents or friends for the day. You will accomplish so much more if you do not have to think about the little "angels."

2. Label some boxes or bags and start filling them with rubbish, recycle, or give away.

3. Create some simple solutions for storage for items such as newspapers, magazines, CDs, DVDs and remote controls (they always go missing just when you need them). Baskets are a great way to store any of the above and they look great either on shelves or stacked.

4. Put a large basket in the corner of the room by the door. This is an 'End Of Day Basket.' When the children have gone to bed, just collect up all their bits and pieces that have been left lying around during the day. That way, you can sort it all out the next morning.

5. Once you have cleared all the clutter, give the room a really good clean. Hoover, mop, polish, and do not forget to clean the windows. If you have time, rinse the net curtains to give the room a really fresh clean feel.

6. Light a scented candle or use a room spray to finish the effect.

7. Finally, make yourself a cup of coffee and sit in your newly clutter free room and enjoy!!!!!!!

Once you have de-cluttered one room you will want to start on the other rooms in the house.

It is really important to create an uncluttered environment to live in. Who can relax in a cluttered room? The answer is no one, even if they do not realize it. Clutter creates stress! By clearing the clutter, you can clear the brain.

It's easier to restore order to your life than you think! Get fresh and fast ideas to help you clear up your clutter quick. Download your free copy of my eBook Stress Free Clutter Cure here. Imagine the freedom you will feel once you are fast at Clearing Clutter!

Clear Your Clutter and Make Money

It's a consumer world we live in and great though that is, it does have some serious drawbacks.

One of these flaws is clutter.

Look around your house. Under the beds, hidden in the bottom or tops of the wardrobes and certainly in the garage or shed you will find loads of clutter. Old stuff we no longer use, it does not suit our new décor, lifestyle or maybe it just did not live up to the promise it once held.

The solution requires a little bit of effort but the rewards may just surprise you.

I have just spent the last threes months de-cluttering and I am several thousand dollars richer. Not only do I have all that space back but I have all that money to start filling it up again!

The answer is good old eBay.

It is so easy to get started, you can set up an account and get your first item ready for sale in a matter of hours and most of that is getting your item ready.

Once you have your account set up the first thing to do is to collect all your clutter ready for photographs. A good photograph will help enormously to sell your item.

The hardest part is being strong in deciding what to sell and what you want to stick back in its hiding place, BE STRONG, it's worth it, you know some of that stuff has been there for years!

Try and find original boxes and instruction manuals, these add greatly to the value of some items.

Now its time to list your items. eBay sort things into categories, just pick one that best fits your item, give an honest description add your picture and you are nearly done.

Of course there is a bit more to it than that but not much. You have to decide if you want and auction sale to give potential buyers the chance to raise the price bidding against one another, or maybe you know how much your item is worth and what you want and so go for a 'Fixed Price'.

If you have never used eBay before why not buy something just to see how it all works.

It will not be long before you get some interest and actually sell your first item, that is a great feeling.

The contract is that once you receive your money you post your item, job done.

You can sell nearly everything on eBay, there is a list of prohibited stuff on the eBay website.

One of the biggest problems for me was wrapping and posting the stuff. Sure the small regular shaped items were no problem but some things called for more imagination!

If it's too hard just add for collection only in your ad, that's what I did with a bicycle.

I started out just wanting to clear some of my old camping kit but I enjoyed it so much that I went around the house just looking for things to sell!

I have sold a car, tents, computers, my wife's handbags and even spare parts off a dishwasher!

You may even think it is complete junk but it could be just what someone is looking for, remember there are millions of people on eBay every day just looking for that specific item.

It may just be yours.

I love to look at ways to save or make money.
This is an easy step but there are others at my site at
http://moneychances.com/

Clear Your Clutter - 3 Tips For Clearing Clutter Fast

Why clear your clutter? An organized and clutter-free home creates a sense of tranquility, even for the most hectic of lifestyles. So what is the secret to clearing clutter and keeping your home organized? It is all about getting a handle on the clutter and then keeping clutter in check. Below are three simple tips to get rid of clutter fast.

1. Design a Plan of Attack, But Don't Overwhelm Yourself

If you have not cleared out clutter or done any type of deep cleaning recently, the thought of taking on an entire house or apartment can be overwhelming. The trick is to start with just one room or area and to focus on cleaning and organizing just that space before moving on.

For example: if your home office is a mess, start by organizing paperwork, the closet or even just the top of your desk. Stay focused on the task at hand, because it is really easy to get sidetracked and overwhelmed.

As you clear your clutter, divide your items into three categories: keep, donate and throw away. Gently used items are always appreciated by local thrift shops, shelters or non-profits. By donating items you no longer use, not only are you getting rid of clutter, but you are "going green" by not adding to landfills. Also, you may be eligible for a tax deduction, so make sure to get a receipt for your donation.

If you have high value, collectible or antique items, you might want to try selling these items on Craig's List, eBay or hold a garage sale. A little extra cash may make departing with your treasures a bit easier.

2. As Get Rid of Clutter, Keep a Shopping List

Since you are trying to get clear your clutter, it may sound a bit counter-intuitive to create a shopping list. But this is no ordinary shopping list; this is a list of either things you need to replace or things you will need to keep your home and yourself organized.

Let's say as you are cleaning up your desk, you find a broken stapler, dried out markers and you notice your book of postage stamps only has one stamp left. Add these items to your shopping list.

The idea is once you have gotten rid of the clutter, you then organize to make your life simpler and also more productive. Keeping a supply of the little things you need to stay organized, such as file folders or labels, on hand that will make a difference is keeping on top of your clutter. This leads us to our final tip: how to keep your life organized and not new clutter.

3. Keeping Your Home Clutter Free

You have spent the weekend methodically cleaning that one room. The drawers, closets and storage areas are clean and organized. The trick now is to keep your home tidy and free of clutter. What is the secret to clear your clutter? Stop clutter at the door!

Before buying a new item, ask yourself if you really need it. As you replace used or worn out items, donate or throw away things you no longer use. Keep a recycle bin near where you sort your mail. Instead of stacking the mail on the first available surface to sort through later, take a moment and toss catalogs, inserts and junk mail immediately into recycling.

A clutter-free home requires a little discipline, but the results are well worth the efforts. So the next time you are doing your spring cleaning, take that extra step and clear your clutter, too.

Let's recap what we've learned in this article:

Design a Plan of Attack, But Don't Overwhelm Yourself It takes time to clear your clutter and organize you home. Take one room at time and then complete one specific task before moving on to the next item on your to do list. Clear Your Clutter, But Keep a List of Items to Replace As you clean up and clear out, keep of list of what needs to be replaced or updated. Remember the goal is to not only have a clean, organized home, but to have a living space that is enjoyable and supports your daily routine.Keeping Your Home Clutter Free. Stop clutter at the front door. You've worked hard to get things in order, so be mindful of buying things you really don't need.

To get more great clutter clearing tips and ideas, visit http://clearyourclutter.net

The Real Importance of Clearing the Clutter

Your home is your haven. It is a reflection of you, and should be an environment where you are able to relax and enjoy your space. The real importance of clearing the clutter you may have in your home is it helps you regain control of your life in other ways.

Take a look around you. How does your home feel to you? Do you love coming home? Do you feel a sense of peace and calm and safety when you enter? Or are you ashamed, so overwhelmed with the clutter and disorganization that you never want anyone else to see it? Do you get the feeling that somehow you are not in control of more than your home -- you are not in control of your life.

Clutter can cause depression, and depression can have other effects. It can cause you to isolate yourself from friends. It can cause you to overeat and gain weight. It can affect your family relationships. So, don't you think, if this applies to you, that it is time. Time to unclutter your life. Time to let go of clutter in your space. If you cannot control the space around you, then you will not be able to control the other aspects of your life.

Think of it this way. Clutter is an obstacle. If you've read anything about Feng Shui, you know that clutter can impede the flow of energy in your home. This includes preventing the entry and movement of good energy as well as keeping negative energy hanging around. You can feel that negative energy when you are surrounded by clutter, disorganization and unfinished projects.

So, how can you start clearing the clutter from your spaces? Here are four steps to start on your journey to letting go of clutter.

1. Define the purpose of each room or space in your home. Ask yourself what you want from that room. Is it a calm place to relax? Is it an organized kitchen where you love to cook nourishing meals? Is it an efficient home office where you can work comfortably? Do you want a warm and romantic bedroom?

2. Now identify why it's not working. Could it be you are short of storage space? Is your bedroom closet too small? Identify why you hang onto things - is it because you may need it 'someday', or because you just might wear it? Could you rearrange the furniture to gain space? Is there a clutter of old magazines, heaps of unfiled and unsorted mail, or piles of dirty laundry?

3. Work with one room or one area at a time. Just the thought of clearing the clutter from a whole home can be overwhelming. Instead, start small, one area or room at a time, and start with the most visible clutter. Out-in-the-open piles of stuff are easy targets for removal or organizing.

4. When the obvious clutter has been dealt with, then take time to sort through the hidden piles. Get into those drawers, closets and pantries, one by one, and keep only the stuff that is useful and that you actually do use. If it is useful, but not something you use (like that stash of wool from when you thought you might take up knitting) then let go of it. Someone else may actually use it. It's just clutter.

As your home progresses to a clutter-free state, you will find your life is changing too. You will think more clearly, have more energy, and look forward in anticipation to new activities and relationships.

Clutter getting you down? Nicki Goff is an experienced coach who can help you reduce clutter in your home or workspace. Learn more about how you can take control of the stuff in your home and your life with her free email newsletter and the other resources available on her website, DeclutterToday.com.

Clutter Tips - Clear Your Clutter at Lightning Speed

You don't know how it happened, but it happened. One day your good friend visits your home and points out that you are in a big pool of clutter at home. You feel embarrassed. You also realize that, off late you have been spending more time on searching things. You don't know where you kept or you remember where you kept but it is not there when you are looking for it.

You are in a big mess and you need to definitely come out of this. Piles of old magazines, papers, junks stuffed everywhere and you have not touched them for ages now you do not even know where they came from. It does not matter where it came from, but you should know where it should go, how it should go.

Do not spend too much time on planning how to clear your clutter, just decide and that's it.

Keep aside your procrastination attitude, and just jump into your clutter terminating activity. Allocate two or three days continuous days so that you can do it at a stretch and finish it off.
Do not get distracted or interrupted, keep aside all your distractions, phone calls, favorite television program and everything. Please some good music at the back ground which can act as a motivational factor for your activity.
Pickup one room which to your opinion is cluttered the most. Start from one corner of that room and once that is completed to the next corner.
Take some tough decision on every item you pickup. Every item you pickup check if they are used in the last 1 year or so. If they are used are they going to be used in future? If yes then you just wipe the dust off and retain in the place where you picked up from.
If the item is not something which you used in the last 1 year, you need to see if that can be gifted, donated or thrown away. Your decision should be quick, do not keep debating mentally on this, and compromising it may be useful sometime in future.
Just work fast, show some internal urgency and it is simple. Think your best friend is visiting your house tomorrow and your house need to be clean and tidy.
Group up all the similar things together. You will see that the items are left around in different places. If you are organizing a bedroom, see to it your cosmetic items are together, inside the cloth closet things are together. Grouping similar things and keeping itself is one of the best ways in organizing things.
Give breaks when you are doing this activity. After few hours you will feel tired but never wind up, instead take a break, relax yourself and come back to continue. If you lose the momentum by doing it after few days, you will never be able to complete this task.

Once you have completed the entire organizing activity, take photograph of the entire room, and paste it behind the door of the room. Regularly observe whether the room is getting cluttered again. Do a monthly check comparing to the photograph with you had taken, if the room is in the same condition as the photograph looks, if not it is time for de-cluttering.

Madhan is a Clutter Management expert. For more great information on tips on decluttering, visit http://www.clearyourclutters.com.

Clear Your Clutter For Good - Use These Three Simple Magic Questions

In all the years I have been working with people who are desperate to get organized, I am always amazed at just how many of them believe they just can't let go of their stuff.

Well, I am here to tell you: it doesn't have to be that hard.

If you're ready to get organized, you can make a great start by asking three simple questions. Like "Open Sesame," these three questions will unclutter your home - almost like magic!

Question 1: "Do I love this?"

Are you surrounded by objects that you don't love? Like? Or maybe you even dislike them?

Your house reflects you - and no one else. Surround yourself with art, objects, clothes, furniture and other décor that speaks to who you really are - and not what Aunt Susie gave you fifteen years ago.

Maybe a lava lamp spoke to you 20 years. Does it still reflect who you are? If not, out it goes!

Question 2: "Do I use this?"

If I had a dollar for every bread machine I find in a garage...

If I had a quarter for every record album I find in a basement...

If had a dime for every article of clothing that is just five pounds away...

You get my drift. If you haven't used something in year, chances are you will never use it. It's the 80/20 rule - we use 20% of what we own. If you don't use it, it's just clutter. Out it goes!

Question 3: "Do I need this?"

This is where things can get sticky, especially with guys. Electronic cables, old computer parts, tools, thousands of screws & nails...Hey, I might need that someday!

Sorry, bud. Doesn't count. "Do I need this?" means, it's summer and I'm going to need that winter coat. It doesn't mean, "this may come in handy, someday." That's what hardware stores are for. Keep a moderate supply of potentially useful items and get rid of the rest. Out it goes!

No matter how convinced you are that you can't let go of clutter, I'm here to tell you that it is possible. Just ask yourself the three magic questions as detailed above. Before long, the level of stuff you don't love, need or use will slowly disappear, leaving you the space to live in a home that is truly yours.

Interested in more ways to clear clutter and gain control of your environment? Get great tips and motivating messages by subscribing to the Empty Your Nest newsletter at [http://www.emptyyournest.com]

Clear Your Clutter and Clear Your Mind

De-cluttering is such a popular idea that there is even a "De-Cluttering Week" every year in October. But often it is just that - an idea - and the thought of getting round to sorting out our possessions and clearing out anything that we don't need or want any longer is often too daunting a task for us to know where to begin.

But why do we all have so much clutter in the first place? Well, part of the reason is that we are a nation of shoppers. Shopping, which used to be a necessity for items we needed, is now one of the nation's favourite pastimes. And stores are so good at tempting us to buy that we often return home with things we haven't really got room for. Add to that the instinctive human desire to hoard and very soon our houses start to fill up. Lofts and garages become extended storage space that we fill with items we often forget we even own.

What is de-cluttering?

It is simply getting rid of anything that we no longer need. Apart from seasonal clothes and seasonal items such as Christmas decorations or gardening equipment, anything that is not regularly used or on display is potential clutter. Other exceptions are photographs, CDs/DVDs and books, all of which may not be used or viewed frequently but which form a collection of memories and cultural enjoyments. De-cluttering is not about throwing out our memories but about throwing out everyday items that are no longer useful. So if we know what our clutter is, why is it so hard to de-clutter?

The benefits of de-cluttering

It is often only when people are moving house that they are forced into sorting out everything they own. But why wait until you are moving? Clearing space in your home can help create a peaceful environment that will calm your mind after a busy day. And if your home is organised and clutter-free then that will lead to an organised, clutter-free mind that will view daily troubles in a clearer, more serene way.

Your home is after all a place of sanctuary from the world outside and having control over your private space can be the first step to having control over your life. But in order to embark on the arduous task of de-cluttering we need to feel motivated that a clutter-free home will be worth all the effort. If you cannot appreciate the advantages of de-cluttering then you will never do it. We also need to understand that de-cluttering is absolutely not about throwing away items with any sentimental value, however small, but it is about knowing the difference between clutter and things with sentimental value. Many people never embark on de-cluttering because they don't understand this difference but there are options such as self storage units if you really can't bear to part with some possessions but no longer have room in your home for them.

The 4 main advantages are:

A calm, organised living space will lead to a calm, organised life.
The satisfaction of supporting a charity close to your heart
Making money from selling your unwanted goods
Recycling and doing your bit for the environment

Avoid excuses

Once you have convinced yourself of the benefits of de-cluttering and motivated yourself to embark on the task, watch out for the typical excuses we all make to ourselves for not assigning an item to the clutter pile:

1. You might need it at a later date- in a cluttered home, you are unlikely to find the item at the point when you need it so just get rid of it now or put it into a self storage unit.

2. It was a present from someone you are fond of- they will probably never notice it has gone so don't hang on to it to avoid hurting their feelings.

3. You hope an item will appreciate in value- if you genuinely think it might then consider a self storage facility (many of which have excellent security for valuable items).

4. It reminds you of a particular person or place- whilst de-cluttering is not about throwing away precious memories, it is about clearing out items with little significance in your life now. Keep photos of the person or place if you wish to relive the moment.

5. I will still have too much stuff even once I have cleared out the things I no longer want- cheap self storage is simple to arrange and has easy access whenever you want to retrieve an item.

Michelle Symonds is an SEO Consultant experienced in all aspects of both on-site and off-site SEO to promote companies and their websites throughout the internet.

She has written and published articles on a range of topics including Contemporary Art, IT Software Services, Asbestos Issues, Interior Design, Self Storage and Project Management.

If you are planning to de-clutter your home because you are moving, then check out the author's Guide to Moving House.

How to Sort Your Clutter

Clutter happens, nobody plans for it to happen, and yet before you know it everywhere you look is clutter. You try to ignore it. You try to hide it. But no matter what you do you can't deny that your house is being taken over by clutter. Here are few tips on how you can sort your clutter and get your house back.

Set The Clock: When you first get started sorting your clutter it can feel overwhelming. The best way to overcome that feeling is to set a time limit. Set your kitchen timer for 15 minutes and get to work. Start at one corner of a room and stay focused and working for the full 15 minutes. When the timer goes off stop and give yourself a break. Set a time to come back to the room at a later date and walk away. You accomplished something, good for you!

Throw, File, Put Away: Stuff starts to become clutter when we don't know what to do with it. When you start to sort through your clutter it's time to decide what to do with it. You aren't allowed to put any item into a "later" bin. It must fall into one of these three categories: Throw away, File, Put Away.

If you have an item that is broke, no longer useful, or you haven't used in over a year, throw it out. You don't need it anymore. For paperwork you need to keep for personal or business reason but don't need everyday set up a file box and file it away and out of sight. For day to day items that are laying around find a place for it to be put away and get in the habit of putting there every time after you use it.

Attack The Hotspots: Every house has hotspots. They are the places where you empty out your pockets, drop your mail, and throw your keys. These are the places that catch all the day to day stuff that go with life. Don't let your hotspots become overrun with clutter. Instead of just dumping your stuff somewhere to become clutter, take a little time to sort it. A small basket, decorative shelf with hooks, and use it to sort that small pocket stuff. It'll keep it from looking cluttered and the little extra effort will help you get out the door faster the next morning.

These are only a few tips you can use to start sorting your clutter. While these steps are a great place to start you will need to get serious about sorting your clutter to truly regain your house and enjoy the rewards. Here's to you and your determination to reclaim your house and to getting your clutter sorted. Keep going!

Congratulations on working to sort out your clutter. Find more tips to help you sort your clutter and regain your house at http://www.squidoo.com/controlling_household_clutter.

Clear Your Clutter - 3 Simple Strategies to Clear Your Clutter Fast

Why do you need to clear your clutter? What is the hidden secret of de-cluttering and keeping ones home organized? It is nothing but handling the clutter once for all and thereafter keeping it under control. Listed below are three easy strategies to just get rid of clutter and maintain the same status once for all.

1. Plan your de-cluttering program, but never get overwhelmed: Have you not cleared your home or something like deep cleaning quite recently? Then you may wonder how to start the work or naturally be procrastinating to start your de-cluttering exercise. It is not that difficult. You have to start one room or one area of the room, and should only concentrate on only organizing that area of your room. Classic example is if your closet is a total mess, you can start by pulling out all the things from inside. Stay focused on the job what you are doing, because de-cluttering is something which one can easily stop and postpone for next day, week or even next month. You can divide your clutter into basically three types, items which need to be kept, items which need to be donated, and items which need to be thrown away. Items which are not used so much can be gifted or donated to people who deserve it. By doing this you can actually remove substantial amount of clutter. If there are little high value items which are no longer required by you, which can be easily sold, then you can actually sell them through eBay and make a little extra cash.
2. Plan and get Organizers to Get Rid of Clutter: You may be surprised to note that one side I am asking you to de-clutter and remove things from your house, and on the other side asking to get organizer. This organizer is something which you require to enhance your efficiency in managing or organizing your home. Like adding a cupboard to add additional space to keep your stuffs. Once you get rid of your clutter, you need to ensure that you organize it so as to make your life more productive and meaningful. If you do not have place to put your used cloths in your bedroom, you can buy a basket which can be kept in the corner of the room. This is a type of organizer which can improve the efficiency.
3. Maintain and continue to keep your home free of clutter: You have completed an exhaustive exercise by cleaning room after room. You have cleaned your bedroom, kitchen, your drawers, storage space and they are now organized and are clean. You now need to keep this clutter free forever. How do you do that? You should close the clutter at the door. Before adding any new item to your home, you need to decide whether and ask yourself if this item is definitely required. Do your de-cluttering exercise then and there. If you receive a mail or a brochure, read it and see to it you action it immediately. If possible also ensure that after you absorb the content you trash the same.

It only requires a little discipline but the outcome of the effort is worth. So next time you want to clean your home, you can take an extra step and follow the mentioned points to make your de-cluttering exercise fast and fruitful.

Madhan is a Clutter Management expert. For more great information on clear your clutter, and get FREE Newsletter, Please visit http://www.clearyourclutters.com.

Clear Your Clutter For the New Year With Feng Shui

Feng Shui believes that something new can come into our lives only when we create the space for it. Similarly, when we re-energise our living space we can usher in new energy, in turn, abundance, prosperity and peace to last through the year. Clutter is stuck energy affecting both our minds and our bodies. It doesn't allow for the energy to flow naturally. A component of Feng Shui that is essential to releasing the positive chi energies in your home. De clutter clutter is removing the stale energy and replacing it with new energy.

Clearing the clutter can release the positive energy into your home giving you energy, health and the ability to achieve the ultimate relaxation. Lending peace and harmony to your home. Once you have cleared the clutter you will clear your mind and find that you can focus and find what you need when you need it. It can be very liberating. If you are skeptical pick a room any room and complete the entire process and you will feel like a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders. You will find the room will energize you and make you feel amazing. Cleansing the room according to the Feng Shui Masters, they advise the following each New Year. Clearing the energy blocks and making way for the positive changes for the New Year.

They suggest giving away everything you don't use including clothing, furniture and appliances taking up space and stealing our positive energy. Some other tips to usher in abundance, luck and prosperity in 2009 and beyond are: De-clutter. Clutter is the biggest enemy to the flow of energy. Cleanse the air. Mop the floor with water mixed with a small quantity of rock salt, burn incense sticks or aroma candles. Soak the sun's energy. If you have crystals or semi-precious stones, wash them in water, with some rock salt added, and expose them to bright sunlight to imbibe the energy. Switch on warmth, love and joy. Turn on bright lights in the foyer and living room during the new year to activate 'yang' or positive energy.

If you are looking for more information on Feng Shui visit my site at http://fengshuide.com

New Year's End of the Year Clearance - Clear Up Your Clutter!

Most people at this time of year have been very busy with the holidays: so much shopping, family and friend visiting, eating great food, decorating and relaxing. Perhaps you are planning your goals for the new year and even setting some resolutions. If you live in Philadelphia, perhaps you are getting ready for the Mummer's Parade!

Sometimes we fall short of our preparation into the new year by not paying attention to the little things around us that will help balance out the energy of what is to come. Have you heard the saying, "out with the old, in with the new"? This is what we will focus on to help align yourself with "the new".

Clearing the clutter in and around your space will be needed for this process to occur. Time passes very quickly and in order to "be ready" you need to get things in order. Start with these simple suggestions:

End of the Year Clearance

clean your bathroom.
clean out your refrigerator
pull all your clothes away
do all laundry
put out fresh towels
take your vitamins
make your bed
pay all outstanding bills
take clothes to the dry cleaners

clear counters in the kitchen
wash, dry and put away dirty dishes/pots
sweep and mop
clean your bureau
put boxes away/store items in closets/attic/basement
clear your hallway
throw away unwanted mail
clear your email mailbox
write to do list for the week (by day)
write your chicken list
clear off tables in your living space
write in your gratitude journal
stuff a brown bag with clothes/household items to donate
return books, tapes, cd's to the library
clean out the trash in your car
wash car mats in the washer
set your goals for the next year
clean off bedside nightstand

Clear your clutter and remember: Carpe Diem and Tempus fugit!

And now you are invited to receive 3 free body/mind/spirit tips on boosting your immune system at http://www.CreatingBalanceInYourLife.com.

Donna Marie Laino is a nurse, humorist, motivational speaker and success coach. She also uses humor as a holistic practitioner and Certified Laughter Leader to deal with life stress and health.

Easy Ways to Clear Your Clutter

Whether you want to sell up or settle into your home, these simple steps will help your clear your living or work space. And once you've put proven systems into place, an ordered and welcoming home will be easy to maintain:

WHAT'S YOUR MOTIVATION?

Having a clear reason for all your efforts will help you stick with the process when you want to give up. Keep this motivation in mind as you sort through each room.

Whatever your reason, build up a vivid picture or feeling of how this will be. Imagine yourself welcoming friends into your now sparkling home. How does it all look? How do you feel (about your home and yourself)? The more detail you can put into your picture, the easier it will be to make it a reality.

HOW MUCH TIME CAN YOU SPARE?

Think about a realistic amount of time and energy you can commit to clearing clutter. Even if it's only half an hour each day, your efforts will mount up. Steady progress may feel slow but you will get there.

Having decided on the time, put it into your diary (as you would when starting a new exercise plan). And remember that each step will bring you closer to a home that you and your loved ones can enjoy.

GIVE YOURSELF A DEADLINE

There's an old saying that "If you fail to plan you plan to fail". Giving yourself a timeframe is an important element of this planning even if you have to extend the date. It reinforces your commitment to having a clear space by a giving it a specific time and place in your schedule.

THINK ABOUT GETTING A GOOD FRIEND TO SUPPORT YOU

Clearing clutter is very emotional as you are literally trawling through your past. If you have someone to support you (not to hassle you but to challenge you when you stray), you may find the whole process much easier.

STEP FIVE - SET UP A STORAGE SYSTEM

Before you start unearthing your clutter and spreading it out more, think about where you'll put it all. Don't try to skip this step as it will double your work. Lots of people find that they regularly move one pile of clutter from its usual area to another only to move it back. This is physically tiring, pointless and depressing.

Once you have a place for things, you will be amazed by how much easier your life becomes.

DON'T OVERWHELM YOURSELF

It's worth repeating that no one expects you to clear months' or years' worth of clutter in a day. It's important that you do a small area at a time. Don't sink into a hopeless heap in the corner of your study. Decide on a manageable starting point. This could be the desk or even one drawer.

Before you start, think about the things that you already know will make you feel better. How can you incorporate several of these treats into your clutter clearing schedule?

USE A SYSTEM TO DECIDE WHAT GOES WHERE

Devise a system for sorting that works for you. You might want to try:

1) rubbish
2) recycle (charity shops, friends, boot sale, eBay etc.)
3) keep where it is (e.g. in the study)
4) keep, but find a proper home for it (shouldn't that whisk be in the kitchen?)

THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE MAKING SPACE FOR

It's a well known fact that we block new blessings by holding on to the past. Clearing away the clutter will also clear your energy. This will allow all sorts of wonderful things (new jobs, relationships, friendships and other opportunities) to flow into your life.

Think about what you are making room for as you clear and it will raise your energy and motivation levels even more.

© Eve Menezes Cunningham 2005. All rights reserved.

Eve Menezes Cunningham is an accredited life coach who helps people create environments (at home and work) that support them using a range of life coaching and NLP techniques. You can choose from a variety of packages to suit your needs and budget. For more information about clutter clearing coaching and how you can bring order from your chaos, visit, [http://www.clutterclearingcoaching.co.uk] or call Eve on 01277 632085.

If you would like to read the full report, send an email titled FREE Clutter Clearing Report to reports@clutterclearingcoaching.co.uk

Clutter and Stress - How Clearing Clutter Can Result in More Than Just Clearing Your Space

How do you feel when you're surrounded by clutter? Anxious? Unsettled? Stressed? Clutter and disorganization can add a significant amount of stress to your life because it mentally weighs you down. Then there's the day to day challenges of being disorganized, which in many cases include missing important papers, late bills, forgotten appointments and procrastination.

So what is clutter exactly? Generally when we think of clutter, we imagine piles of stuff on the floor and surfaces, sometimes to the point of creating a fire hazard. According to Karen Kingston, author of "Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui", there are four categories of clutter:

• Things you do not use or love
• Things that are untidy or disorganized
• Too many things in too small a space
• Anything unfinished

It's important that you understand what clutter is before you begin the process of decluttering your home, because it will help you to make decisions more quickly and prevent you from hanging onto items that do not add value to your life. For instance, if you pick up an item of clothing that you either, haven't worn in over a year, have never worn, or don't particularly like, instead of saying to yourself, "I might wear it someday", you might instead say, "I do not use it or love it, so it can go".

If you can't bear to get rid of something because you've "paid too much for it", then make a decision to arrange to sell it the very next day. Call a consignment store and ask them if they can sell it, or sign up with eBay, or schedule the yard sale you've been talking about for years. The key is to do something or let it go. If you don't trust yourself to follow through on this, enlist a trusted friend whom you can be accountable to.

Clutter can also make you feel tired and even a little depressed. This certainly doesn't help when you need the energy and the motivation to physically get rid of it. That's why it's recommended that you ask for help. Sometimes it's hard for a family member or friend not to judge you, as hard as they might try. People who are naturally organized or do not hold onto stuff will think you just need to throw everything away! Of course, that's going to be heartbreaking for the typical clutterer, especially if they have some hoarding tendencies. A professional organizer is trained to understand why you hang on to clutter and will be unbiased and non-judgmental. They will work with you to free yourself of the clutter and help you get back to living your life again.

Ready to get started with your organizing projects? Write down your goals on Jacquie's Organizing Goals Worksheet. Visit CastAway the Clutter! to get your free Organizing Goals Worksheet and receive bonus organizing tips to keep you motivated while you work on your organizing projects.

5 Questions to Ask Yourself About Clearing Your Clutter

So often I hear clients say they would do just about anything to stop the harassing effects of their clutter. After countless attempts trying to purge and being defeated, some people associate their lost battles with a feeling of being assaulted. All they know at this point is they want the chaos of the clutter to stop.

Introducing a list of questions at this point helps put things into perspective about not only their current circumstances but also about how the clutter came to be and what is needed to make it go away. It's more appealing to look at de-cluttering as a fun and enlightening concept rather than another grueling task. The goal is to de-clutter in a fashion that feels comfortable and natural.

If your clutter is having an emotional impact on you, begin by asking yourself the following questions. Allow yourself the luxury of taking the necessary time to answer completely and honestly, you may be surprised what your answers reveal.

What has prevented me from de-cluttering in the past?

- Time

- Motivation

- Energy

- A plan

- Commitment

- Distractions

- Other

What do I find is the hardest thing about de-cluttering?

- I don't trust myself

- Insecure with my decisions

- I double-check myself

- I remember what I like

- Fear of letting go

- Afraid I can't get it back

- I may need it

- Don't want to deal with it

- Other

What would make it easier for me to de-clutter?

- To know it's OK to let it go

- The idea that I can find it again

- Someone to help me

- A reward system

- A plan I can follow

- Thoughts of being clutter free

- Other

How much time am I willing to commit to de-cluttering?

- One day

- One week

- One month

- Six months

- One year

- However long it takes

- Other

What does de-cluttering represent to me?

- Freedom

- Simplicity

- Excitement

- Work

- Exhaustion

- Confusion

- Other

After reviewing the answers to the questions above, you can easily begin to see what you need to put into action in order to begin taking action toward living an organized life. The easiest way to begin making organization part of your routine is to begin incorporating changes slowly. Create small wins for yourself so you can easily feel a sense of accomplishment and treat yourself to celebrate your win. This will begin creating a positive behavior pattern. In time, organization will become a part of your life, not something that overwhelms you.

Patricia Diesel, The Organizing Expert, is author of A Simple Guide to an Organized life and CEO of Keep It Simple Now. Patricia provides professional organizing and life coaching to individuals, entrepreneurs, and corporate arenas. Accomplishments, services, merchandise, and additional information about Patricia can be found at http://www.keepitsimplenow.com.

Clear Your Clutter And Create Space For Miracles In Your Life

I want talk about clearing clutter, because it is a huge step you can take towards transforming your life.

We can view our home environment as a reflection of who we are, our external world mirrors our internal world, and when we start to clear our external world of things that no longer serve us, we can undergo a powerful change internally, we shift energy and create space for new things to come into our lives, things that we have been wanting and intending.

If our home is filled with clutter and unnecessary items, we will most likely feel disorganized, lacking in energy and focus. We literally won't be able to see past the junk in our homes and, internally, we may struggle to create new perspectives or opportunities and we can feel stuck.

Have you ever tidied your home and felt much lighter, more energetic and positive as a result? Clearing out your surroundings literally clears out the cobwebs of your soul.

If you are doing a really big clear out where you are finding things that go back years or decades, be prepared for strong emotions to come up. Certain items have strong attachments to memories, which come with strong emotions, remember that as you release these emotions you will ultimately feel lighter and you may feel a weight has been lifted off your shoulder.

After you have cleared your space, go for a long walk, take a bath, celebrate and acknowledge ayourself for the clearing you have done and the space you have created. A walk or a bath will also help cleanse you and release the stuck energy that has shown up, and being in nature will ground you.

I challenge you to try the de cluttering process, and observe what happens in your life, make a list of the inspiration that shows up, or things that appear, and e mail me, let me know how it goes. Soon, when you observe the benefits, you will become a de cluttering expert!

We also have greater pece of mind when we not only create more space, but also create a place for everything that comes into our homes, we will find we have time for other activities because we are not draining our energy looking for lost items, or feeling disorganized.

If you are wondering where to start, when deciding whether or not to get rid of clutter, ask yourself these questions:

Are they?

Things that bring you pleasure
Things that enhance your life
Things that you regularly use or need

If they don't fulfill these needs then bin them or donate them.

Sophie Hainsworth is a certified life coach who works with successful people all over the world and inspires them to achieve fulfillment in their professional and personal lives. If you are interested in being coached by Sophie over skype/phone/email please contact her at coach@sophiehainsworth.com to set up a free trial session.

Visit her website at [http://www.sophiehainsworth.com]

How to Clear Your Clutter!

Take a moment and survey your space. Really get an idea of all the wonderful things you have in your living room. Wait... are you having a hard time imagining this? Do your eyes start to see the piles of clutter that are filling up your room? You see piles of books, magazines and papers - some of them from ages ago. They are so strewn about that you haven't even read them. You may not even be able to find the one you want to read because they are all mixed up.

Ok, now you start to really see all the other things that are consuming this room. You see pieces of clothing, a hairbrush, trash and odds and ends. Maybe even plates, a glass and leftovers from last night's dinner! Over in the corner peeking out of one pile is a wrapped gift that you thought you sent to your friend months ago. There are children's toys everywhere and piles of laundry that you don't have time to fold. Now what do you do?

Take a deep breath! Don't start to panic and cry - that isn't going to accomplish anything. You could just walk away but there will still be clothes to put away, books and papers and mail to sort through, trash to be thrown away. All of this will still be here the next time you go back into the room. You made the mess. You have to clean it up.

It may seem daunting, but clutter clearing is not that hard. The first thing that you have to do is to stay focused. Failing to prepare to succeed is like preparing to fail. If possible, send the kids to the house of a friend or family member so that you can work in peace and without interruption.

The next thing you want to do is make a list of all the clutter you see and prioritize where there is the most clutter and where there is the least clutter. Now you can get an idea about what you need to focus on first. Start to make three piles. One for things you want to sell, another for things you can donate and the last pile is for the trash. Soon, you will have cleared up most of the clutter. Just remember to stay focused and on task.

Now that you have nice empty spaces, this is the perfect time to take out your cleaning materials and really clean the room. Sweep or vacuum the floor, use glass cleaner on glass surfaces and mirrors and dust off the shelving and cabinets.

Clearing the clutter may not be the easiest task but it is important. You will start to feel better about your home and yourself once you have successfully cleaned up. This will lead to your desire to continue to clear your clutter.

Julie Howard is the site owner of Decluttering Your Home & Life. Get instant access to a free report showing you how to declutter and get organized today!

Helpful Tips For Clearing Your Clutter

Start by standing in the middle of your target room. "This is where you want to start clearing clutter." Get an idea of how you wish the area to look when finished. But before you begin to imagine how beautiful it's going to look, your thoughts are interrupted by the amount of clutter that threatens to engulf the entire house. You look to your left and see the books, some of which date back to your child's elementary school days. "He's in high school now right?" There are stacks of newspapers and magazines, but not exactly sure what they are about or the last time you read them.

Now look to your right and see your younger children's toys laying all over the place, an empty pizza box from last night's movie marathon, or maybe the pizza boxes accumulated from many Movie Night marathons. Trash, maybe a little 'junk, candy, hair brush, pieces of clothing. And is that the wrapped baby gift (for your best friend that you thought you sent 4 months ago) peeking out from under a pile of folded clothes?

You may be wondering what you do first. Burn the house? Hold your head in your hands and cry? Unfortunately, there is no easy way out, clutter clearing is needed. Setting the house on fire, or crying is not going to help. You can't burn the house down, you will need to keep your clothes, books and documents. You made the mess, you have to clean it.

As daunting as it may seem, clearing clutter is not so difficult. The first thing to do is stay focused. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. If possible, send your younger children to the house of a friend or relative so you can do some clutter cleaning in peace and without interruption. Maybe the older one can be enticed to help?

Then make a list of what needs done, a priority list from highest to lowest. What is the hardest task? What is the easiest? This will help give an idea of what is necessary to focus on first. Before you know it, you will have eliminated most of this clutter, simply put your mind to it and stay on task.

After completing the list, start by removing everything, get a fresh start. Place items you no longer want or need in large containers for subsequent sale, donation, or the trash. Once the area is clutter free, then gather all the cleaning materials, dust the empty cupboards or shelves, sweep the floor, use glass cleaner on any glass or mirrored surfaces. Wala' your clutter cleaning is done.

Removing the clutter from your home can be a difficult task, but it's a good idea. Once you have experienced the positive results of having a home well-organized, clean and tidy, you will feel better about the room and your home, and yourself, too. You'll be glad you took the time to clean up the mess.

Information just like this will help you clear your house of clutter [http://organizingyourhomeandlife.com/articles/clearing-the-clutter-some-helpful-tips/] and you can Discover The #1 Secret To Quickly DeCluttering Your Home [http://organizingyourhomeandlife.com/] and Life here!

Feng Shui and Clearing Your Clutter or Not

Clearing your clutter has become such a big topic in Feng Shui. Years ago as a new Feng Shui consultant I liked that this concept it was clear and not confusing. Clear it out is the message. If you haven't used it in a year or don't love it then move it out and give it to someone who will use it. I however am becoming cautious about this advice.

Years ago I was in a friend's kitchen. I was a new consultant and she asked me about the Feng Shui of her kitchen. I told her what every book and all my training had to say. It was originally her husband's bachelor pad and it had stickers and license plates on every surface. There was no place to rest the eye. I said to do some clutter clearing.

Years later I was in her kitchen. I had done a lot of meditation work and Inner Space Techniques. In fact, I became an Inner Space Techniques Practitioner. I tuned into her kitchen as I was having tea and felt so grateful she did not head my beginner advice. Her kitchen felt marvelous. Yes, it was cluttered but it landed a warm and personal space.

I learned this again with another friend. I went to her home and it was very minimal. It was orderly and nice. A year later I went back for a visit and it was a shocking difference. It was gorgeous. The change was she had a boyfriend who went through her storage space and rearranged her house with treasures that she did not think much of until he had arranged them. He hung pictures of her and her children that had been hiding in photo albums. He blew them up, cropped them and colored them. He pulled up old chairs, an old couch, old lamps and voila. He created an absolutely beautiful space.

Since then I have learned that clearing clutter is an art. That said, I was in a naturopath's office the other day and met a fellow patient. I could feel how the patient's clutter was impacting his energetic body. It felt very serious in fact. I wondered what kind of treasures he had in his home that could be put to better use. Displayed, moved out and used to create a healthy Feng Shui space for him to thrive in versus the sickly stuffed space he lived in.

Danielle Kerr-Wilson is a certified Feng Shui Consultant as well as an Inner Space Techniques Practitioner. For more information about Danielle visit her website.

How to Clear Your Clutter in 3 Easy Steps - Discover How These Steps Change Your Life!

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the stuff in your home, to the point where you have lost all control? As you enter your home, is there a feeling of despair and hopelessness? Are you so embarrassed about all the clutter, you do not invite visitors to your home? Do you find yourself and your family squeezed into a small area, because of clutter?

If you answered yes to these questions, these 3 steps, when followed, will change your life style for ever. Having a clean and maintained home, begins and ends with your mental state of mind. Your home is your special place you can rejuvenate yourself, relax, be completely free of anything, it is your safe refuge. When it is neglected, it becomes a very unhappy and chaotic environment.

Keeping a clean, manageable home and environment, is really a state of mind. Changing your attitudes will change your life and clean your clutter. Here are 3 key attitudes to adopt to clear your clutter and mind.

1. Live neat:
Take each room, sit in it, close your eyes and visualize it, totally clean, without any clutter. Repeat this daily until it becomes a habit of lifestyle.

2. Do it now:
Later, which could be the next hour, day, or week, results in chaos and clutter. Doing it now, attitude will create a mind set of being in control, creating the lifestyle you want. You are responsible for your thoughts. If something needs attention, do it now.

3. Think ahead:
An essential attitude to staying organized in your home and life. Making lists of what you need to do or get, on a daily basis. With the change in attitudes, de cluttering can be short, sweet and smile.

A thought a day, keeps the clutter away.

Please feel free to email me at achangingday@gmail.com

Credentials:
Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist with a Certification in Life Coaching, BA/Psychology, Interior Design Certification from U.C. Berkeley, Real Estate Broker, Certified Interior Stager.

Clear Your Clutter With a Little Imagination

Wouldn't it be nice if you could just sit back, relax and clear your clutter with your imagination? Just think of a sparkling clean room and poof no more clutter or disorganized areas.

Say, wasn't that a television show back in the 60's? You know, Samantha on Bewitched just wiggled her nose and there was a clean house. Too bad that's not how it gets done.

One way to spark your imagination on how to clear your clutter from a room or even a whole house is to visit the library and get some books and magazines on organization. You don't have to follow exactly what's in the books, but they'll help you see how to use their techniques and you can then decide how to implement them in your house.

You can also visit stores that carry organizational products. Most of the time they'll have displays set up on closet organizers, kitchen cabinet organization, shelving and baskets. Just walk around and think about how you can get your clutter under control by using some of these products.

As you're going through the library books or walking around the hardware store aren't you actually using your imagination? You'll be thinking or imagining how you can put these same ideas to use in your home.

Of course, if you're already the creative type, you can just take some time and think about how you can de-clutter and/or reorganize with what you already have on hand. That would be a cost saving measure, too!

However there's no imagination needed here for this easy to read and information packed book, Declutter Fast, by Mimi Tanner. Written by a former pack rat this book will give you the secrets to the best way to clear your clutter. Here are some questions you'll find answers for:

Where do I start?
How long will it take?
How can I do some emergency decluttering?
Can I keep my stuff and still be less cluttered?

If you've taken the time to read this article then I'd say you definitely want to get yourself organized. Go ahead and make the decision to find a clean house de-clutter plan and start on the road to being organized. Use the links in this area to find out even more about the best way to clear the clutter out of your life.

Clear Your Clutter and Free Your Life

Whatever your clutter problem the answer is the same: make a decision to clear your clutter and then take action to clear your clutter.

Without action, the decision is meaningless. Without the right decision any action is undirected.

Physical clutter is the debris that is strewn around your home and work environment: papers and files in piles on the desk and floor, dirty clothes, washing up, unopened mail, half finished projects... the list is endless.

Don't be overwhelmed by the enormity of the task, break it down. Decide to deal with one room at a time or with one type of clutter at a time. Set aside some time to start, just half an hour initially will get you moving without seeming overwhelming. Set a timer and work at clearing the clutter until the timer goes off. Then you can give yourself a small reward like a cup of tea before tackling another 30 minutes worth of clearing up. Or leave it for today and do another 30 minutes tomorrow. Remember you are in charge here, not the clutter.

And then there is mental clutter: trying to remember everything - appointments, making phone calls, picking up the dry cleaning, and so on. Here the answer is even more simple - write it down! Not on scraps of paper to add to the physical clutter but in a diary or planner. Get your life organised and develop a habit of always noting everything down in your diary or planner as it arrives in your life.

Then develop a habit of checking the week ahead every morning. Keep your mind free for useful creative thought that moves you forward with your life and your projects.

Most importantly, remember to reward yourself for taking action on the clutter in your life. Knowing there is a reward at the end makes the clearing up much less irksome. And cultivate a tidiness habit - get into the habit of putting things away after you've used them rather than leaving them around to mount up and you'll never need to do a major clear up again.

Emotional clutter is when you spend your life wondering 'what if'. What if we hadn't split up? What if I'd married someone else? What if I hadn't been sacked? The What Ifs keep you anchored in the past. They get in the way of moving forward with your life today, and they sap your energy and enthusiasm for today.

One way to cope with emotional clutter is to meditate. Relax, be still, and focus on some one thing in the present - you can use a candle, or focus on your breathing or repeat a single sound. Don't be concerned at the thoughts that will crowd in but gently put your focus back on that one thing in the present.

Just 10 minutes a day of this type of relaxed meditation will help clear the emotional clutter from your mind.

As you clear all of this clutter from your life you will find you have more energy, more time and more space to enjoy today and prepare for a real fun tomorrow. And you will find you are able to move forward with any stuck projects or new challenges.

So, get more out of your life by clearing your clutter now.

Penny Dablin is a life coach who helps her clients to clear the clutter from their lives. For many more useful ideas for making more of your life see her website: http://www.pkdcoaching.co.uk

Clear Your Clutter and You Will Feel Better!

Is Clutter clearing for you?

You may say - I have a lot of stuff, however, everything has

it own place - Therefore, decluttering is not for me.

Lets look at what is clutter:

- Everything that you didn't used for 1 or 2 years.

- Unfinished project.

- Pile or boxes of news papers that you will read one day.

- Something that you need to move each time you need to

get something else.

- Tax papers over 5 years.

- Clothes or shoes that doesn't fit anymore.

- Hats that you will never wear.

- Small appliances that you was supposed to fix.

- Old make-up, more than 6 months, dangerous for eye infection.

- Old set of gulf clubs - laying on the garage floor.

- Dishes that you don't like, evidently, you will not use it.

- Plastic containers that you no longer have the lids or visa

versa.

- Old exercise equipment.

- Books that you have already read.

- Vitamins more than 6 months old.

- Worn out underware, socks with holes in it.

- Samples of shampoo and perfume.

AND SO ON..

All those above are clutter. By clearing Clutter in your home you will

feel more energetic, you will find space you forget you had making your

home looking bigger.

Your collectibles will be in plain view, showing their true value.

Your closet will be more inviting and the door will close!

When your home is in order, you are proud to have friends over, you are

developping self-confidence and new relationship with others.

About the author:

GratiaMarie Letendre own a web site dedicated to Home-Storage-Solution.

Always looking for new ways for Home-Storage, Organisation and Decoration,

Fixing or Cleaning and anything in between.

Making your life easier is our goal.

Please visit: [http://www.home-storage-solution.com] -Bathroom-Storage-Solutions

- Shelving-Storage-Solutions - Designer-Storage-Solutions

GratiaMarie own a web site dedicated to Home-Storage-Solution. Always looking for new ways for Storage, Organisation, Decoration, Fixing or Cleaning or anything in between. Making your life easier is our goals.

Back-to-School Shopping Tips: Start Early to Save

Ah, summer! Baseball and sunshine, lemonade stands ... and back to school?

Yep. Summer or not, it's time to think about ways to save money shopping for back-to-school clothing and school supplies. Because retailers are poised to begin back-to-school promotions the instant Independence Day fireworks cease to glow, savvy shoppers begin planning now to get the most for their back-to-school dollar.

Hang onto your wallets! With the rise of "back to school" as a two-month marketing exercise for retailers, coupled with cash-strapped school districts placing more of the supply burden onto students' families, it can be a tough job to get the kids outfitted without breaking the bank. Try these school shopping tips to save money, time and your sanity when shopping for back to school:

Before checking so much as a single back-to-school sales flyer, you need to know two things: what you need, and what you already have on hand.

What's on the list? No need to scrabble through cluttered drawers for last year's handouts! Local discount and office supply stores now feature checklist kiosks for nearby schools; school web sites are another good source for supply lists. Download or grab each kid's checklists, then scour the house for items already on-hand.

Any item already on-hand is a bonus freebie, so check the house for rulers and protractors, pencils and binder paper.

Set aside a supply stash. One way to conquer the "where is it?" chaos: designate a box, shelf or covered records box as School Supply Central.This tip will serve you well throughout the year the year. Find that stash of 9-cent boxes of crayons or a few packs of binder paper from last summer's shopping spree? Tuck them into the box; the short stuff will know where to find new crayons when they need them in November.

School supply aisles look like toy departments these days, and kids have big gimme eyes for school-day flash and bling. Shop from your list to keep back-to-school spending within budget.

Better, use a list as an exercise in financial education. Children, as natural consumers, are easy prey to "buy-me, buy-me" pressures, so smart parents set limits during this time of year.

Once you have an idea of your child's true needs, establish a budget amount, and create a learning experience. Yes, little Jenna WILL want the pricey licensed-character backpack and the lunchbox and the binder, no matter the cost. A bit of horsetrading along the lines of, "Well, the budget will let you buy the backpack only if we choose less expensive binders" can make the limits clear--and teach financial skills at the same time.

Back-to-school loss leaders (products offered at prices below their actual cost to entice you into the store) begin to pop up in discount stores and office supply stores mid-July. If you can pick up loss leaders for items you know you'll need--like lined notebook paper, pencils, crayons and report folders--you'll spare the budget for big-ticket buys.

While shopping, keep your eyes open. These days, just about every retailer wants a piece of the back-to-school action. School supplies pop up in the oddest places, like crafts stores, dollar stores and supermarkets. Shop off the beaten path for good prices!

While nobody wants to be caught dead dragging multiple children into the crowded school supply aisles the weekend before school opens, a short week later will see the same merchandise marked down to clearance prices--and no crowds.

Turn a deaf ear to children's pleas of "But I HAVE to have it all today!" and budget some cash for season-end discount buys. That's the time to stock up on the basics that will be needed all year: binder paper, composition books, spiral notebooks, pencils, erasers, crayons and markers.

If back-to-school is here, the holidays won't be far behind. Clearance-priced school supplies make great Christmas stocking stuffers. A quick trip after school begins--and once the items are marked down--can fill Santa's stockings inexpensively.

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Fall Cleaning Chore Checklist

It's Autumn.

Pumpkins glow in golden fields. Shorter days, crisp mornings signal winter's approach.

Can the holidays be far behind?

Use Autumn's brisk and breezy days to conquer deep-cleaning chores for a clean and comfortable winter home, and wrap up summer's outdoor areas.

Our Fall Cleaning Chore Checklist will help you prepare home and hearth for the coming of winter:

Summer's come and gone--and left its mark on outside the house.

Time to come inside for winter! Outside the house tend to these autumn chores:

Clean and store patio furniture, umbrellas, children's summer toys.Touch up paint on trim, railings and decks. Use a wire brush to remove flaking paint; prime bare wood first.Check caulk around windows and doors. Follow manufacturer's recommendations to re-caulk if needed.Inspect external doors and garage doors. Do they close tightly? Install weather-stripping, door thresholds if needed.Wash exterior windows.Drain and store garden hoses. Install insulating covers on exterior spigots. In hard-freeze areas, have sprinkler systems blown free of water.Check gutters and downspouts. Clear of debris if necessary. In cold-weather areas, consider installing heating cable to prevent ice dams.Have chimneys and flues inspected and cleaned if necessary.

Autumn's the time for "spring cleaning". Deep clean now to take advantage of good weather, and face the coming of winter and the approaching holidays with a clean and comfortable home.

Learn how to clean efficiently! Check out the Clean House Guide for more information on how to clean fast and furious.

Focus on public rooms: living room, family room, entryway, guest bath.Clean from top to bottom. Vacuum drapes and window treatments. Clean window sills and window wells. Vacuum baseboards andcorners.Vacuum upholstered furniture, or have professionally cleaned if needed. Move furniture and vacuum beneath and behind it.Wash interior windows.Turn mattresses front-to-back and end-to-end to equalize wear.Launder or clean all bedding: mattress pads, pillows, duvets, blankets, comforters. Tuck the family into a warm and cozy winter bed.Schedule professional carpet cleaning early this month! Warm October afternoons speed carpet drying. Carpet cleaning firms get busy by the end of October, so schedule now for best service.Prepare the kitchen for holiday cooking. Clean and organized kitchen cabinets, paying particular attention to baking supplies, pans and equipment.Clear kitchen counters of all appliances not used within the last week. Clear counters look cleaner--and provide more room for holiday cooking.Pull refrigerator away from the wall, and vacuum the condenser coils. For bottom-mounted coils, use a long, narrow brush to clean coils of dust and debris.Wash light-diffusing bowls from light fixtures.Inspect each appliance. Does it need supplies? Stock up on softener salt now, and avoid staggering over icy sidewalks with heavy bags.Check and empty the central vacuum's collection area.Clean electronic air cleaner elements monthly for most efficient operation. Wash them in an empty dishwasher (consult manual for specific product recommendations).Clean or replace humidifier elements before the heating season begins.Inspect washer hoses for bulges, cracks or splits. Replace them every other year.Check dryer exhaust tube and vent for built-up lint, debris or birds' nests! Make sure the exterior vent door closes tightly when not in use.Schedule fall furnace inspections now. Don't wait for the first cold night!Buy a winter's supply of furnace filters. Change filters monthly for maximum energy savings and indoor comfort. When the right filter is on hand, it's an easy job!Drain sediment from hot water heaters.

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Summer Cooking Tips: Cool Off in the Kitchen!

Who can imagine summer without summer food? Steaming corn-on-the-cob, each kernel bursting with sweet flavor. Burgers and barbecue. Ice cream sundaes. The crisp red smile of a watermelon wedge, dripping with sweet juice.

There's a darker side to summer meals. Food budgets groan under the strain of substituting quick-cook steaks and chicken breasts for thrifty stove-top casseroles. Ravenous children make the refrigerator door thump-thump-thump like a dog's tail. Catch-as-catch-can mealtimes, eaten on the run, substitute convenience for nutritional value.

What's a summer cook to do?

With creative meal planning strategies, summer doesn't have to bust the food budget, toss nutrition to the winds, or reduce the family chef to a melted, quivering puddle reminiscent of the Wicked Witch of the West.

Try these suggestions for simpler, cooler, more nutritious summer meals:

Basic menu planning is useful in every season. Don't know how? Simple. Start with the weekly food sections and a half-hour of time (coffee optional). On a 3-by-5 index card, turned longways, note your supermarket's weekly specials.

Flip the card over, and list each day of the coming week. Take a moment and think about your calendar. No sense planning an elaborate gourmet meal when it's your day to work Cub Scout Day Camp!

Using the week's specials, match simple entrees with busy days, more elaborate meals with at-home evenings.

Pencil your choices next to each day, and go about your shopping—but don't finalize your menu plan until you get home. Who knows when the Great Grocery Gurus will send a beautiful bit of salmon or a mega-bargain on boneless chicken breasts your way?

Once home, match the food you bought with the food you've planned, and ink in the coming week's menus. Check pantry and vegetable crisper for salad and side dish components ... and relax!

For a final, sure-fire bit of motivation, post your menu plan prominently on the refrigerator door. Nothing like knowing the family is drooling for tonight's microwaved meatloaf to energize a reluctant cook!

In summer, wedding-gift appliances earn their storage space. A rice steamer makes perfect rice, every time, with no excess heat to fog your kitchen. Spicy chili in the crockery slow-cooker is a super ending to a day at the park.

A pressure cooker can prepare family favorites in a fraction of the time—or kitchen temperature—needed by an oven. Hot bread from an automatic bread machine makes a light summer meal more substantial.

Finally, take a tip from our Southern friends, and cook chickens, roasts, or stews in a portable roaster, outside on the porch!

Everyone knows that you can pop your Orville Redenbacher's in the microwave oven, but did you know that this versatile appliance can bake potatoes, cook a roast, or bake the moistest cake you've ever tasted?

Dig out the recipe book that came with your microwave and try a new technique. The microwave's speed makes it a natural for summer cooking, and it won't overheat the kitchen—or the cook!

Children, even dyed-in-the-wool vegetable haters, love choosing dinner from vegetable gardens or roadside produce stands. Serve a vegetable meal, with corn-on-the-cob, sliced tomatoes, and washed raw vegetables. Don't forget the fat-free ranch dressing for dipping!

Firing up the gas grill? Don't stop with just tonight's entree of barbecued chicken breasts. Add several more pieces and hold the barbecue sauce.

Next night, serve half of the chicken shredded, over salad, and add dressing made from walnut oil and raspberry vinegar. The following night, reheat the remaining chicken, shredded, with salsa, crushed garlic, a squeeze of lime juice and a dash of oregano, and serve delicious chicken fajitas, wrapped in steaming flour tortillas. Cook once, but plan to eat at least three times.

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School's Out! Summer Survival for Busy Moms

They're here! Tumbling from the school bus, fresh from Field Day, with papers and projects and petrified sandwiches spilling in their wake: your children.

Summer vacation is wonderful, no doubt about it. Damp heads and wet bathing suits, backyard tents and fireflies in canning jars. "Look, Mom!" rings out a hundred times a day, from the top of the pool slide to the bug-dotted bottom of an upturned rock.

Here comes the Kool-Aid Mom! She's all sweet smile and tidy clothes, calling cheerful children from the corners of the yard with a bell-like voice and tray of sweating, jewel-toned glasses.

Then there's the second day of summer vacation.

Sibling fights, tracked-in dirt, non-stop television. A complete and utter absence of clean towels. Your teen snarls from the dark corners of his room, while younger children taunt one another and squabble over the television remote. The tooth-gritting "Eh-oh!" from pre-dawn screenings of "Teletubbies" takes the place of an alarm clock.

Watch your step! That Kool-Aid stretches in sticky dribbles from the refrigerator handle, across the floor, over every counter, and out the back door. Over it all hovers the perpetual whine of "Mom! I'm bored!"

Smart home managers give some thought to summertime survival, and they do it now, before the deluge. Ponder these pointers to fine-tune home, schedule, soul and sanity for the upcoming summer season:

"Bring the outside in!" is summer's theme, in more ways than one. From banging doors to trailing dishes, your home will be turned inside out, more way-station and supply depot than a series of dedicated rooms.

Summer is no time for the delicate, the costly, the special because all of the above will be (1) dirtied, (2) lost, or (3) broken by summer's end.

It makes sense to strip for action. Don't want the pretty embroidered master-bath linens to hit the backyard trail? Bundle them up and hide them for the summer.

Replace them with a shabby set of wedding-gift towels, and be grateful! September's sane and slower pace will mean time to bring back the ruffles and flourishes. They'll be all the more treasured for the protective time out.

Remove breakables from child-height surfaces to protect them from racing children--your own, their guests, and a few neighborhood interlopers who saw the fun and just joined in. Summer decor should be functional, so round up the "objets" into boxes and make room for the Bug House centerpiece, complete with dead bug. My dear, you are so Chez Summer!

Replace glass drinking glasses with plastic mega-slurp freebies from convenience stores and fast food establishments. You won't whimper when drinkware is used to excavate tunnels for the gerbil or worry about little ones running with glasses in their hands.

In the kitchen, less is also more. Strip down meal planning and menus to match summer's relaxed schedule. Who needs to sweat over a hot stove when the gas grill is at hand? Try for a few simple standards for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and save the recipe tryouts and gourmet meals for the crisp and energized days of autumn.

A few simple preparations will save you, Mom, endless hours of "pour me, feed me" over the coming months.

Personally, I wish to kiss the wonderful engineer who invented the little whale-spout water dispenser attached to Moby Dick The Great White Refrigerator. Even little ones can pour their own ice water, if you put plastic glasses within reach and tuck a cotton area rug under Moby's toes to catch the inevitable overspray.

Prepare a large jug of your family's "house wine" each morning, whether it's fruit juice, powdered drink mix or iced tea, and tuck it in a self-dispensing plastic beverage container on a refrigerator shelf. Now, if only they would invent a self-closing refrigerator door.

Establish a "snack site" within child reach and you're a step ahead of ravenous children. Include healthy options like fruit, raw veggies, string cheese, animal crackers, popcorn, raisins and dried cereal instead of sugar-filled cookies or greasy potato chips. Bundle all of the above into a large plastic food storage container, label it "Snacks" with a permanent marker, and put it on a low refrigerator shelf.

Encourage independent lunch preparation by doing the same with all sandwich makings: PB&J, jar of mayo, floppy packs of lunch meat and cheese, cello pack of washed lettuce all stuffed into large open container labeled "Sandwich Makings." You pull the box out, you make your sandwich, and you replace the box.

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Declutter 101: Where Do I Start?

Ready to cut clutter on the homefront--but not sure where to start?

Standing amid the stacks and piles, it can be hard to find a good spot to dive in and begin. Too often, de-clutter efforts fizzle along with the light of day.

This time, resolve to succeed! Get your organized journey off to a good start; these beginning declutter points will help free a strangled household from the clutter monster:

At the outset, adjust your vision downward from the big (cluttered) picture, to zero in on one small, solvable clutter problem. Clear one counter, de-clutter one shelf, or bring order to a single drawer--and do choose an item that nags at you daily.

Beginning your war against clutter with a small success provides welcome motivation for the long haul. When you feel yourself starting to flag, returning to that one clear space, shelf or drawer will remind you of the goal--and give a new burst of energy for the next step. You can do it!

Clutter tolerance seems to run a fever cycle, much like the flu. Every so often, the cluttered household will become intolerable, sparking short-lived but fiery anti-clutter efforts. Piles will be shifted, boxes will be filled, stuff will be stashed--until the fever breaks. Then the clutter tide flows back in, confusion redoubled because of the flushed and furious attempts to get a grip in a hurry.

Just as clutter arises gradually, over time, so it must be fought gradually and over time. Beating clutter requires building new habits, applying new organizational methods, and creating new household routines. The clutter cure takes time, and can't be short-cut.

Resist the temptation to go all-out in fevered, short-term sorties against clutter. Like the fable of the tortoise and the hare, slow and steady wins the declutter race.

A successful attack on clutter requires time, energy and motivation. There is no such thing as a declutter fairy, who works while you sleep!

First things first: schedule time to declutter. Even 15 minutes a day will make a good start. Better, schedule larger blocks of time, from two to four hours once or twice a week, for maximum declutter efficiency.

Scheduling declutter sessions brings the goal out of the stratosphere and into real life. By committing time to decluttering, you strengthen motivation and embrace the goal of a clutter-free home. By keeping the declutter appointments, you begin to create islands, peninsulas, then continents of decluttered space.

Trust me. It won't happen magically behind your back, so schedule your declutter appointments today!

In family settings, clutter accumulates for myriad reasons. Adults shed newspapers and personal items with abandon. Children clutter with playthings, art materials, and school papers. Poor housekeeping routines land clean clothing in piles on the couch, paperwork in stacks on the counter and mail in jumbled heaps everywhere.

Tempting as it is to call a family meeting and lay down the clutter law, think again. Draconian measures can only be enforced so long as the enforcer stays on the job--and if you're not there first, coercive efforts are doomed to fail.

Instead, build credibility, knowledge and motivation by mastering your own clutter challenges first, then involving the remainder of the family.

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Do It Now! Tips To Get Ready For Back-To-School

Move over, summer--a new school year is coming!

With the start of school, families face new organization challenges. School bells ring--and so do early-morning alarm clocks. Paper piles swell as hand-outs and homework stream into the house.

Shorter autumn days bring a hectic round of sports, activities and events, and calendars fill with cryptic notes. Can the holidays be far behind?

Get organized now for the best school year ever! Use these ideas to prepare your home and family for the busy days ahead:

The first day of school is no time for a drastic adjustment of household sleep schedules. Instead, ease children back into a school year routine gradually. During the last two weeks of summer, re-introduce a school year bedtime. Begin waking late sleepers earlier and earlier, closer to the hour they'll need to rise when school begins.

Don't neglect mealtimes! Younger children, in particular, need to adapt to new meal routines before the school day demands it of them. Plan meals and snacks to accustom little ones to rituals of the school day before the school year begins.

Each school year floats on a sea of schedules. School functions. Lunch menus. Scout meetings and music lessons. What do you do when you're drowning in paper?

Nothing calms school year chaos like Calendar Central: a centralized site for all family calendars and schedules. You'll need a family event calendar to track after-school activities, school programs and volunteer work. Add specialized calendars and schedules, and you have it: a one-stop shop for family time management.

Form is less important than function. A paper calendar with large squares lets you enter information easily. Pre-printed white board calendars are easy to revise when necessary. Color-coding entries by family member helps keep busy lives straight.

Paper planner fans dedicate a planner section to serve as Calendar Central, while tech-savvy cybergrrrlz store the info in a smart phone or tablet and sync with multiple computers. Choose a calendar format that works for your family.

Post the family event calendar in a public place near the telephone. Use magnets to attach the calendar to the refrigerator, or tack it to a bulletin board.

Add other calendars to Calendar Central: school lunch menus, class assignment sheets, sports practice schedules. When the room mother calls for field trip volunteers, you'll know at a glance whether you're free to join the group on the bus that day.

August is the second-biggest sales month for clothing retailers. Back to school clothing sales begin as early as July! Are you prepared to run the school clothes gauntlet?

An informed shopper is a savvy shopper, so prepare before you shop. Take an afternoon and assess each child's clothing needs. Empty drawers and closets of outgrown or worn-out clothing, and either store or donate the discards.

Working with your child, clean and organize clothing storage before new garments are added--and cut down on school morning calls of "Mom! I don't have any clean . . . . "

Develop a wardrobe needs list for each child. Check for possible hand-me-downs from older siblings as you make your list. If you discuss the needs list and the family budget with your children before you shop, you'll avoid in-the-store tantrums.

Similarly, ask the school for classroom supply lists before shopping for school supplies. Forewarned is forearmed ... and helps protect the family budget.

Do shop early! With back-to-school sales beginning in mid-July, tardy shoppers have a tough time locating needed supplies among September's Halloween costumes and Christmas decorations.

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