clutter http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for clutter Copyright 2008 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:53:25 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/clutter 2 Easy Steps To Stop Clutter http://www.artwoo.com/article/2-easy-steps-to-stop-clutter http://www.artwoo.com/article/2-easy-steps-to-stop-clutter#comments Mon, 27 Nov 2006 12:27:05 +0000 junk mailclutteremailcontact listsinundatedinboxjunk mailing http://www.artwoo.com/article/2-easy-steps-to-stop-clutter Clutter In!

2 Steps to Stop Clutter Collecting

How do we collect clutter in the first place? After all we came into the world possession free!

Its all in the ........ Be Clutter Free Equation

Items In minus Items Out

If you are happily removing clutter but are adding things just as fast then you won't ever feel clutter free.

Step One

Identify where the clutter is coming from. Observe your life and you will find your clutter collection spots:

: Do you have a pile which contains things you will look at 'one day'? When was the last time you looked at anything in the pile?

: Do you get lot's of unwanted email? Or are you with Newsletters (!!!???) that you thought would be a good idea?

Gifts: When you receive unwanted gifts do they lurk at the bottom of a cupboard?

Shopping: Are you always tempted to purchase things: books, clothes, storage solutions, etc and then find that you don't really use or enjoy them?

Undone Tasks: Is your mind cluttered with tasks 'to be done' that never seem to get to the top of the list?

Ideas: Are you a creative person whose head is always so full of ideas that it drives you crazy?



Step Two

Stop and Create Systems that work for you! Here are some ideas:

• One in one out. If you buy a new item then another can go • Purchase only consumables for a set amount of time • When you are about to make a purchase ask yourself: 'Do I really need this? Do I really want this? Will this add value to my life?' • Unsubscribe to unread newsletters -- cut the clutter in your • Get taken off the • Put all your ideas on paper, into a folder and off your mind • Open your mail by the waste bin -- dispose of junk mail straight away • Talk to friends and family about gifting to charity on your behalf or be brave and let them know what you'd really like for your birthday!

Rejoice!

Enjoy what you have and..... work towards a vision of your perfect environment. Shed your physical and emotional clutter and find your true self and unlimited potential. Happiness starts with being the real, authentic you. I help clients access their, sometimes lost, authentic selves and realize their desires. To start your journey straightaway: http://www.beclutterfree.co.uk/workbook.htm ]]> Conquer Clutter In Your Beautiful Holiday Home http://www.artwoo.com/article/conquer-clutter-in-your-beautiful-holiday-home http://www.artwoo.com/article/conquer-clutter-in-your-beautiful-holiday-home#comments Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:40:00 +0000 organizational challengeshectic timeholiday cardstime plantime limitationseveryday activitiesholiday schedule http://www.artwoo.com/article/conquer-clutter-in-your-beautiful-holiday-home organizational challenges to the average home. Here are some simple tips to help you conquer clutter during the fast-approaching holidays.

-- Don't overdo.

Just as it's easier to enjoy the holidays when you don't over pack your schedule with too many activities, your home will breathe easier if you match your holiday decorating with your personality and .

If you don't have extra time each week to dust, don't put out a zillion decor items that need to be picked up, dusted and replaced perfectly.

If you detest taking out all those holiday decorations and then packing them up again after the season is over, don't do it. A handful of well-thought out decorations, like centerpieces, will bring you more enjoyment and be easier to clean, thus staying beautiful in your home.

-- Got kids?

Conquer clutter big time during the holiday season by only putting out kid-friendly decor. A big basket for , decorations that are hung on walls not strewn on tables, and nothing tall and tippy (things like that are just waiting to fall over and break) can go a long ways towards keeping holiday clutter to a minimum.

-- One thing at a time.

Part of the reason the holidays are such a of year is because many of us don't EXCHANGE one busy schedule for another; we ADD an additional on top of an already crowded life.

If you are doing this, too, you are definitely adding clutter to your home. Conquer that clutter by choosing some that you will deliberately set-aside during the holiday season. By doing so you will eliminate (temporarily) the 'stuff' that accompanies those off season activities. That way you can concentrate on the holiday clutter that is bound to arise. One thing at a time.

-- Plan your clutter.

Instead of getting out the gift wrap supplies and then leaving them out throughout the holiday season, why not focus on getting your shopping done and then having a gift-wrapping marathon one evening? All the clutter comes out once, the job gets done, and everything gets put away, all in one step.

You can do the same for your other traditional holiday activities. If you enjoy baking, then plan a baking day. If you like to make decorations with your kids, then plan a weekend and do it all at once. Need to write cards to friends and family? Pick a night or two and do the whole job. You'll feel great getting these tasks done and the accompanying clutter will be kept to a minimum.

-- Control incoming clutter.

To conquer clutter that can stream into your home on a daily basis is always challenging. If you notice that you get an influx of this type of clutter during the holiday season; children's holiday projects from school, for example, then take a minute to decide upfront what you want to do with that clutter.

Do you want to display it? Pass it along to Grandma? Archive it? Whatever you decide, by having a clutter-control plan in place you are free to enjoy your children's holiday expressions and make the most of their hard work while still knowing that all that incoming stuff will not add to the clutter in your home.

You can lift considerable holiday stress off your shoulders by controlling the clutter that appears during the holidays. Put these simple tips into place to conquer clutter in your home, and enjoy this blessed time of year with your family. Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 26 years and helps other moms enjoy mothering more at http://www.paintedgold.com. Visit her website and get more tips on how to conquer clutter at http://www.paintedgold.com/Organize/conquer-clutter.html . ]]> Have A Better Organized Closet By Using Closet Organizers http://www.artwoo.com/article/have-a-better-organized-closet-by-using-closet-organizers http://www.artwoo.com/article/have-a-better-organized-closet-by-using-closet-organizers#comments Mon, 12 Feb 2007 02:27:03 +0000 closet organizerscluttercloset organizerold shoesclutteringshelvingshoe racks http://www.artwoo.com/article/have-a-better-organized-closet-by-using-closet-organizers clutter free home is just not possible. Everything which we have collected over the years has built up and now it is constantly up our homes. We have things in every available drawer, in the closet and also under the bed. As well as in hidden spaces, any clutter which we have left over is often just placed in a room and forgotten about until the clutter starts taking over.

No matter how bad your clutter problem is, it can be sorted out with the right s.

How to Choose Good Quality Closet Organizers

One way to beat that clutter is to purchase several closet organizers. However, how can you tell which ones are the best and which ones should be left well alone?

There are a number of different closet organizers available and each does their own little job. There are , pant trolleys, airtight storage savers, rods and to name but a few. There are so many different brands too that you sometimes just do not know what to look for and it can be difficult finding something to suit your needs.

Shoes racks generally are stronger and they last longer if they are made out of metal. They come in a large variety of sizes so you should be able to find one to fit all of your on no matter how much of a shoe love you are!

Generally it is always better to do an evaluation of your clutter and see what you can throw away and what you can sell. These days the internet is brilliant for selling things and what you may consider to be junk, somebody else might consider to be really good. Of course you could always have a yard sale too and that would get rid of quite a lot of your clutter. It is always better to be ruthless regarding your clutter, that way you know what you really want to keep and you save a lot of space at the same time.

Shelving is an excellent closet organizer and you can buy various different sizes to suit your needs. Remember if you buy a shelf which is too big you can simply cut it down to size so do not worry about that. However, taking measurements to ensure that you do not purchase a shelf which is too small is essential.

Overall when organizing your closet there are quite a lot of options available to you. You can store any old toys, books and old ornaments on the shelving and you can keep old clothes on a rod in the closet. All of these options will save you space. Andrew Caxton is the editor of different articles with reference to interior design for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . Find more publications about closet organizers at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/closet-organizers.html ]]> Find The Perfect Time For Your Clutter Clearing http://www.artwoo.com/article/find-the-perfect-time-for-your-clutter-clearing http://www.artwoo.com/article/find-the-perfect-time-for-your-clutter-clearing#comments Fri, 07 Sep 2007 05:25:01 +0000 clutter clearingnatural ebbebb and flowmotivationnatural energyunlimited potentialtrue self http://www.artwoo.com/article/find-the-perfect-time-for-your-clutter-clearing natural ebb and flow. This article is about just that =96 finding the right timing for your .

Being in flow is the most fantastic feeling in the world. Moving effortlessly through life achieving everything you want to achieve.

How can we make clutter clearing as easy as possible?

Here is a brief list of questions designed to get you thinking about your perfect clutter clearing moments. Print this off and spend a few moments with it.

When do you have more and ?

A) Time of Day

1) morning 2) evening 3) at night

B) Natural Rhythm

1) I prefer to take time out to start and finish a job 2) I like to do things in little packets of time

C) Group or Individual

1) working alone 2) working with others

D) Seasons

1) Spring 2) Summer 3) Autumn 4) Winter

E) Recurring Events

1) New Year 2) Around holidays 3) Christmas time 4) Birthdays and Anniversaries 5) Children's term times

F) States of Mind

1) busy times 2) sad times 3) happy times 4) relaxed times

So what are your times of natural energy and motivation? Can you identify any other situations or states of mind that will enhance your motivation to clutter clear?

If you work with the natural you can make your clutter clearing a more positive and happy experience.

I would still suggest you try the ten minute technique every day when you are struggling to get motivated but if you want a real splurge =85. then use your natural flow to get stuck in!

That reminds me =85 I really need to use this technique to get on with the garden. I'll let you know how I get on!

Shed your physical and emotional clutter and find your and . Shed your physical and emotional clutter and find your true self and unlimited potential. Happiness starts with being the real, authentic you. I help clients access their, sometimes lost, authentic selves and realize their desires. To start your journey straightaway: http://www.beclutterfree.co.uk/workbook.htm ]]> Four Tips To Clear The Clutter http://www.artwoo.com/article/four-tips-to-clear-the-clutter http://www.artwoo.com/article/four-tips-to-clear-the-clutter#comments Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:13:28 +0000 home cluttermail billsknick knacksjunk mailwall shelvesdining room tablevisible location http://www.artwoo.com/article/four-tips-to-clear-the-clutter
1. A Place For Every Thing

One cause of clutter is that people try to have more stuff than they do room. If you have "stuff" that doesn't have a place, you should consider parting with it. If that isn't an option, then renting a small storage unit, or tucking some items in boxes in the attic, might be the answer. If you have a small home, one possible solution is to add several . You could even dedicate an entire wall to this. Adding shelving will provide lots of extra storage for books and . The point is that everything must have a place, and must be in its place.

2. A "Stuff" Bucket

As you and your family go about their days, it's inevitable that some of their "stuff" is going to be left throughout the house. Instead of you having to spend all day running around to every room in the house putting everyone's stuff away, place a "stuff" bucket in some not-so- in your home. Make it a rule that this bucket must be emptied each night before bed. Each member of the family must check the bucket and remove items that belong to them. Any items left in the bucket will be donated to charity or tossed away.

3. Touch it Only Once

Another big cause of clutter is paper. Endless , bills, receipts and letters=85.it seems that the flow of paper will never end. It's easy for your desk or to quickly become covered in papers, and that looks just plain messy. A quick tip to avoid such messes is to plan to touch each piece of paper only one time. That means that when you open a letter, you read it and then it either gets filed or thrown away. You do NOT put it on the table to put it away "later". You plan to only touch it once. This will stop the clutter, and will also save you time as you won't have to deal with the same papers over and over again. You read it and either file it or toss it.

4. Clear it as You Go

As you complete various tasks throughout the day, clear clutter as you go. If you walk by some shoes, toys or other items that family members have left laying around, toss them into your stuff bucket instead of leaving them there. If you see items that are out of place, put them away as you go about your day. This will keep your free even as you are busy during the day, and will cut down on your end of the day picking up as you'll have kept up with it all day.

These tips are simple ways to get you started on the road to clutter free living. Start using them today and you'll be on your way to a more beautiful home! Jessica Ackerman is the head author at http://www.walldecorandhomeaccents.com ]]> Retirees And Clutter: Some Thoughts http://www.artwoo.com/article/retirees-and-clutter-some-thoughts http://www.artwoo.com/article/retirees-and-clutter-some-thoughts#comments Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:20:00 +0000 fragile bonesmeaningful travelhome firesunbelievable amountsemotional valuetumble downfire hazard http://www.artwoo.com/article/retirees-and-clutter-some-thoughts unbelievable amounts of clutter. This is not, however, a universal characteristic of retirees.

So what are the essential characteristics of clutter? Here are a few that come to mind at the moment:

=A7 Clutter takes many shapes and is composed of many items =A7 Clutter has the inherent property of expanding to fill all available space =A7 Clutter is generally collective =96 it builds up over time =A7 Clutter is generally composed of items we believe we must continue to keep =A7 Clutter is composed of items we believe to be important for some reason =A7 Clutter is generally composed of items we have not used in years =A7 Clutter is often composed of items we cannot find =A7 Clutter is often made up of things we actually don't need =A7 Clutter can be dangerous for retirees =A7 Clutter is hard to remove

Let's face it. At some point in time, everything that makes up clutter was important to us. What we do with it and how long we keep it is often directly proportional to the sentimental or we attach to it. For example, some of us keep every memento of every activity shared with a loved one. Others keep some souvenir of destinations. Some keep newspapers or magazines. And some of us are collectors gone wild.

We all know clutter in our homes can be dangerous =96 it can pose a or a tripping or stumbling hazard, especially as it expands to mega-proportions. We hear so many stories of retirees who are victims of , who fall and break or who fall and get a serious head injury. For these reasons alone, de-cluttering is a really smart move for retirees.

Clutter can also be emotional, mental or psychological. This kind of clutter can often be most difficult to clean out of our lives. This kind of clutter distracts us or re-enforces negative self-images or continues to reopen old wounds. This kind of clutter makes us feel unhappy, stressed out, angry, or even guilty.

While the physical clutter around us might be more noticeable to others, it is easier to remove. It just takes determination and a realistic appraisal of the value of things. Clearing out old animosities, guilt, sorrow and pain, however, is even more important if we really want to enjoy the second stage of our lives.

My advice to all retirees who want to experience a feeling of a new freedom and a fresh outlook on life is: DE-CLUTTER. Start with the "stuff" that is cluttering your environment. If something has real value, but you don't need to keep it, give it to someone who will appreciate its value.

Remind yourself that if you haven't used or read something in over a year, you don't need it. A first step is to get rid of anything you have been saving to which you have access on the internet. This, for example, is a great way to get rid of stacks or boxes of newspapers, magazines, and the like. A little de-cluttering will give you a great sense of freedom and space. It's a wonderful feeling.

Start de-cluttering your psyche. Deal with unresolved guilt: make apologies, make peace. Put old animosities and anger to rest =96 recognize it, ask yourself if it really matters any longer, move beyond it. Deal with old sorrows and pain. Make the decision to put them to rest.

Finally, you can start the fun part of de-cluttering your mind. Make a list of all the ideas and activities you have stored up to do someday. Prioritize your list. Discard those things that just are not that important any longer. And make a plan to do the things you still want to do.

De-cluttering will give you a new sense of freedom, focus and direction. Your home will also be much safer. Dr. Cynthia Barnett is an author, teacher, life coach and a leading authority on how to "re-fire" and reinvent by making the rest of your life the best of your life. For more articles and tips on how to rejuvenate yourself in retirement, visit http://www.doctorcynthiabarnett.com. ]]> 5 Simple Steps To Getting And Staying Clutter Free http://www.artwoo.com/article/5-simple-steps-to-getting-and-staying-clutter-free http://www.artwoo.com/article/5-simple-steps-to-getting-and-staying-clutter-free#comments Mon, 27 Nov 2006 20:27:08 +0000 clutter clearingclutteringsimple stepsimportantlyexhaustingfighting a losing battlelife coach http://www.artwoo.com/article/5-simple-steps-to-getting-and-staying-clutter-free
I have not always been clear of clutter! I spent years struggling with organization until I realized I was -- I just had too much stuff. The stuff was not only my home but also more my mind.

I could never understand how people seemed to be just naturally 'sorted' and organized. I felt that there was something wrong with me because everything was just an struggle.

I discovered and it changed my life. Now that I'm clutter free I have more time and more importantly I have more peace of mind. This has been so empowering that I felt that I had to help others achieve the same goal.

I am now a and I specialize in helping people to get rid of their emotional and physical clutter so that they can enjoy more of the things they want from life.

5 to Getting and Staying Clutter Free

These simple steps are designed to help you lead the life you want to lead: free or clutter, more organized, with more time and more energy to do the things you love.

1) The most important step in getting what you really want is to focus on it. How do you want your life and surroundings to be like? Spend at least twenty minutes writing what your ideal environment would be. Our minds are so powerful: they can liberate us or they can hold us back. Forget about what you don't want or how awful it really is right now. Write about what you really want! Let your mind run free and enjoy the feelings that come up.

2) Spend ten minutes of clutter clearing every day. Focusing on an area that will really make a difference to your life when it's clear. Even when we are fed up and miserable we can manage just ten minutes. Sometimes you may want to continue. At other times 10 minutes will be enough. You will be amazed at how much you can do in just ten minutes and slowly over time you can clear everything you need to by just using the ten minute rule. You didn't create your clutter overnight so why do you feel you should clear it over night?

3) How can you decide what you want to get rid of? These are the guidelines I have set up for myself and my clients: You keep:

Things that bring you great pleasure

Things that enhance your life

Things that you regularly use or need

When you look at each item use these guidelines to help you decide.

4) 'Things' are not just things. They usually have emotions and values attached to them. That old dog-eared teddy is not just another toy -- it's part of your memories of childhood, your old friend, your comfort. There are many reasons why we have clutter and as you start to clear your clutter you will uncover many emotions which are wrapped up in the energy of the items. Be prepared to face these feelings and be patient with yourself if you become emotional. Often when we de-clutter we learn a lot about ourselves. It's uncovering these emotions which will help you to stay clutter free in the future.

5) What's coming in? As you clear your clutter you will become more and more aware of what's coming into your home/life. Some of it will be clutter. The best way to deal with this issue is to develop your own systems for things that are coming in. For example, your post; you can get rid of junk mail immediately rather than adding it to your current pile of paperwork. If you buy a new item of clothing, what can you let go of? Perhaps something that no longer fits you.

Some people want some help and inspiration, that's where a coach or de-clutterer can help. There is an organization called APDO, Association of Professional De-Clutterer and Organisers which will have a member who is local to you.

It's really important that you feel comfortable with anyone you choose. It's your home and your life. You are in charge and you need to like and trust the person who gets involved.

Happy Clearing! Shed your physical and emotional clutter and find your true self and unlimited potential. Happiness starts with being the real, authentic you. I help clients access their, sometimes lost, authentic selves and realize their desires. To start your journey straightaway: http://www.beclutterfree.co.uk/workbook.htm ]]> Sort Out Your Closet With Closet Organizers http://www.artwoo.com/article/sort-out-your-closet-with-closet-organizers http://www.artwoo.com/article/sort-out-your-closet-with-closet-organizers#comments Fri, 09 Feb 2007 10:27:38 +0000 closet organizersorganizing your closetclutterbits and piecesshoesclutteringtidy http://www.artwoo.com/article/sort-out-your-closet-with-closet-organizers clutter in their lives, might be just what you need. Piles of clothes lying around and old books and rubbish up the home can really have a negative effect on your mood. It is impossible to relax unless things look nice and so if things are lying around everywhere it is likely that you will be stressed quite often.



So, is essential if you want to be able to call your house a home. Closet organizers are by far the most effective way of organizing your clutter and getting your home looking clean and tidy again.

The Most Effective Closet Organizers

The most effective way of sorting out all of your clutter is to have a range of closet organizers. Rods, a rack and shelves will all come in extremely useful.

Many people own a few pairs of shoes and there is usually nowhere to put them. Well, if you have any shoes which you hardly wear, placing them on a shoe rack in the closet is generally a good idea. It will get rid of all of them away from the door and hide them away neatly. You can buy shoe racks in all different sizes and so it is easy to find one which suits your needs.

Rods help to keep old clothing out of the way and hung up to save space whilst shelves can keep any old on if needed. So, as you can see you really do need a variety of different space saving closet organizers. It is always better to see what kind of clutter you have first before buying any organizers. That way you can evaluate the situation and purchase the best organizer system for you.

If you have too much clutter it is always better to be ruthless and just throw some things away. The thing to say to yourself is 'do you love it' if not it can go. Sometimes you have to take the emotion out of the clutter and that way you will leave room for new things which you will love.

Overall closet organizers are a really good idea and most people can benefit from them. However, you do need to make sure that you get the right storage options for you and always take full and proper measurements before you buy anything. Andrew Caxton is a journalist who writes newsletters on interior design for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . Find more information and resources on organization at his web http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/closet-organizers.html ]]> Conquer Clutter Or Die Trying http://www.artwoo.com/article/conquer-clutter-or-die-trying http://www.artwoo.com/article/conquer-clutter-or-die-trying#comments Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:35:01 +0000 quarter hoursfifteen minutesdaily basispileshome 1cluttermail http://www.artwoo.com/article/conquer-clutter-or-die-trying clutter once and for all in your home, there are only a few things you need to do. But you WILL need to do them faithfully each and every day.

Are you interested? These aren't difficult suggestions, but they may require some new actions on your part for success. Frankly, even if you only try some of them, you'll probably notice a difference in the amount of clutter in your home.

1. Stop the coming in.

Okay, you probably can't actually stop the piles of clutter coming in everyday, but you can stop them from piling up. If your home is like a lot of homes, you have piles of , piles of school papers, and piles of newspapers and magazines coming into your house on a . These can pile up FAST and overwhelm a room within a matter of days.

The solution? One suggestion is to designate a place for these incoming piles and assign yourself (or a family member) a day to go through these piles and deal with them appropriately. Fifteen minutes a day doesn't sound like much but if you don't do this everyday, that's one and a per week, Monday through Friday. And that's only one clutter pile.

2. Deal with the clothes.

If you have difficulty keeping your laundry off the floor and into your closets, as well as clean and ready to go each morning, then it will probably help you to deal with this clutter pile each day, as well. I suggest setting a timer each evening after dinner for fifteen minutes (this is a great chunk of time to use) during which each family member collects their clothing from around the house and puts it away. One load of wash is started. When the laundry is done, everyone goes through the load, picks out their own clothing and puts it away.

Again, daily is the key or by the weekend, you have a mountain of laundry and no helpers in sight.

3. Conquer clutter in the kitchen.

The key to a clean kitchen is the morning. Take your magical fifteen minutes as you start your day (you can rotate this through family members, if you desire) and empty out the dishwasher and sink. Then there is only one rule for eating for the rest of the day. When you're done, put your dirty dishes in the dishwasher and wipe the counter where you ate. Just one rule, not 52. Keep it simple. Got someone who can't handle one rule? Then they do everyone's dishes until they get the point.

4. Everyone handles their own stuff.

In many homes one person, usually an adult, cleans up after everyone. No wonder household management feels overwhelming!

Conquer clutter in a reasonable way. The old adage "if you get it out, you put it away" applies here. Then enforce this one simple rule with consequences that have meaning. Again, about fifteen minutes is all it takes once a day to keep everyone's stuff put away. Put on some music, start the timer, and announce no dinner until the clutter is conquered.

Believe me, they'll learn to put everything away fast. Really fast.

As you can see, to conquer clutter in your home doesn't require a major makeover, just a few daily disciplines and the expectation that everyone do his or her part. Pick one area and start that discipline today. Give yourself and your team thirty days to make the change. Then celebrate together! And start on the next discipline.

Pretty soon your cluttered house will be a thing of the past. And won't that feel great? Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 26 years and helps other moms enjoy mothering more at http://www.paintedgold.com. Visit her website and get more tips on how to conquer clutter at http://www.paintedgold.com/Organize/conquer-clutter.html . ]]> How To Clean A Messy House Or Apartment http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-clean-a-messy-house-or-apartment http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-clean-a-messy-house-or-apartment#comments Mon, 25 Dec 2006 04:27:29 +0000 get rid of clutterclearing cluttermanageable chunkssupport alimonymessy closetgarbage dumpmessy room http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-clean-a-messy-house-or-apartment messy room, an overstuffed closet or your entire house, the process of isn't easy. In fact, many of us could be card carrying members of clutter anonymous.

If clutter is taking over your comfortable living space, it's time you made the decision to take action to get rid of your clutter once and for all.

Planning to

Break your huge clutter cleaning task into . A lot of the planning will go into deciding what valuable items you simply "must" keep and what you can let go.

Get three empty cardboard boxes and designate one for the items you are keeping. The second one is for items you maybe want to get rid of, and the third is for items you are definitely tossing out. Keep in mind that the maybe box is just temporary. You'll have to make a decision about whether you will ultimately find a place for these items or part with them forever.

You should keep important papers such as income taxes, child support, alimony, and work related benefits indefinitely--in case you need them in the future. A file cabinet is a good way to keep these papers secure and organized.

Let go of clutter

An important step in letting go of your clutter is deciding to throw out that stuff you've been holding onto for various reasons that you no longer use or need. This is not always as easy as it seems. Often times you may be holding onto clutter for emotional reasons. Some of this stuff makes you feel nostalgic, or another popular reason is the classic "I may need it some day."

Alas, realize that it's time to let this stuff go. Plan a garage sale or call a charity to pick up the items that can be donated (Note: some charities may request that you deliver charitable goods to them).

Bag the rest for your local trash collector. If you don't have curb side collection, put the bagged items into your car and take them to your local on your next trip.

Storing Clutter

If you are ready to clean out a to make way for the new season, you'll want to use storage boxes, bins or bags to store seasonal clothing. If you get into the habit of doing this, you'll have much more space in your closet for each season's wardrobe.

Lateral file cabinets are versatile and use up less wall space.

An often overlooked space for storage is above and below the countertop area.

A storage shed can be used for storing tools, keepsakes, and anything you wish to keep but can't store inside your home. You also have the option of renting space from a storage facility for a monthly rental fee.

When you're organizing, always keep items that are alike together whether on a shelf, in drawers or in any other type of storage you're using.

Conquer your clutter

How much time and energy are you willing to commit to conquering your clutter problem?

Your level of commitment will determine how fast you can turn your cluttered home into a beautiful home that will make you proud.

To keep yourself motivated, set a timer and work on cleaning out the clutter until the timer goes off. You can set the timer for fifteen minutes, thirty minutes, or sixty minutes.

Remember, your messy home isn't going to clean itself no matter how much you wish, hope, pray, or avoid getting organized. Try giving yourself an incentive every time you complete a clutter busting goal. The reward should be something extra special. Knowing there's a reward at the end makes your goal of cleaning up your messy clutter easier to achieve. Donna Monday Are you embarrassed to have friends and family over because your home is always so messy? Say goodbye to clutter forever after you learn the fast, easy way to organize your home. http://lnk.in/nomoreclutter3 ]]> How To Clean Up Your Clutter http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-clean-up-your-clutter http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-clean-up-your-clutter#comments Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:20:00 +0000 clutterpersonal storage spacestorage drawersnewspaper clippingsticket stubsgreeting cardscloset storage http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-clean-up-your-clutter clutter in your home, chances are good that you are very creative because studies have shown that creativity leads to clutter. It can be difficult to let go but, when it comes to cleaning your home, a good rule of thumb is to toss anything that you haven't used within the past year.



Like almost everything else in life, the clutter didn't appear overnight and it won't disappear overnight either. The trick to an effective cleanup is realizing what you need and what you can live without. is a big issue for most families, but it can quickly turn into a functional space with a little knowhow.



When it comes to cleaning out your closet, purchase a sturdy over-the-door hook for belts, purses and scarves. Next, organize your clothes according to their intended use, such as work, casual and formal. If you don't have a shoe closet or shelf, keep each pair in a separate lidded clear shoebox for easy viewing and retrieval.

We all keep mementos that remind us of a special time in our lives, right? Whether it's , photos, , or other souvenirs, it's best to keep them in one confined place to avoid clutter.



A scrapbook or photo drawer is the perfect place to keep all of your items in one location for easy access. Without a specific location, it's too easy to misplace something that may bring back a special memory, so do yourself and your home a favor by having a place for everything and keeping everything in its place.

If you have children in the home, it's important that they have their own separate from your own. Chances are good that your storage sits higher than what the average child could reach, which means organization could be a problem. If your little one can't reach it, they probably won't be too eager to store their toys there.



Just like adults, organization is key and children will enjoy having their labeled for easy identification. For instance, a drawer that houses art supplies and coloring books can be labeled as `art' and toys can be labeled according to specific types, such as `dolls,' `action figures' and `comic books.' You get the idea!

Now that you know how to clean up the clutter, it's important to know what to do with your unwanted items. What's clutter to you may be a treasure to someone else, so it may be a good idea to consider donating some of your items to a charitable cause. There are a number of organizations that accept donations of clothes, toys, household items and other products. In some cases, your donation may even be tax deductible. If you are looking to turn your clutter into cash, try listing it for sale at some of the popular online auction sites. http://www.red3enterprises.com ]]> Bringing Order To The Chaos With Storage Boxes http://www.artwoo.com/article/bringing-order-to-the-chaos-with-storage-boxes http://www.artwoo.com/article/bringing-order-to-the-chaos-with-storage-boxes#comments Mon, 30 Oct 2006 12:27:04 +0000 storage containersstorage boxesclutterinvaluable resourcecomic booksorganize a closetsuffice http://www.artwoo.com/article/bringing-order-to-the-chaos-with-storage-boxes
For organizing the in your life, are an .

They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are made from many different materials to accommodate your needs. Some are airtight (good for delicate old photos, documents or valuable ), while others are just sturdy cardboard or plastic (for more rugged items like blankets and sports equipment).

Before undertaking a plan to or garage, you should first get the storage boxes you'll need. Consider what type of clutter you're dealing with. If there are a lot of documents, papers and certificates, a simple file box may . Other items may need larger, sturdier containers, so consider whether the container should be transparent or whether simply marking the outside with a description of its contents will be enough.

If your clutter will require many boxes to organize, try to get that are modular -- that is, they can be easily stacked and organized. If you wind up with several different-shaped containers that don't fit together well, you're no better off than when you started.

Something else to take into account is whether the things being stored are things you'll need access to on a regular basis. You can buy stackable bins that are open at one end, making it easy to get things when you need them. Put the things you won't need very often together and put those storage boxes under the other ones.

In fact, if it's something you NEVER need, you might consider getting rid of it altogether. Sometimes that's the best way to deal with unorganized clutter. Jon Kilminster writes for http://www.storageboxworld.com, a website packed with information on Magazine Storage Boxes and Wooden Storage Boxes ]]> Clutter Cleaner 3 http://www.artwoo.com/article/clutter-cleaner-3 http://www.artwoo.com/article/clutter-cleaner-3#comments Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:20:01 +0000 spur of the momentjunk mailhelter skelterhardwood floorsmotivatorclutterimportant things http://www.artwoo.com/article/clutter-cleaner-3 hardwood floors once I get the out of my room. That is giving me a great urge to get finished because I know how good they will look. I think I will even paint the room, but I don't think I can do all of it in one day, but the clutter I CAN handle in one day.

That is very important as we clean clutter to be able to change our thinking while we change our actions. Looking forward to an organized room as you expend your energy and channel your efforts in the cleaning process is a perfect . While we start to change our thinking, we need to be mindful to the fact that we should open and then trash as soon as we receive it. We should read our magazines the day we get them or at least by the next day. We should recycle our magazines to neighbors or doctors offices but we need to learn to get rid of them within 2 days of receiving them.

Once we have painted the room, added new shelves or curtains, and then replaced the that we kept back into our room, we need to be mindful of keeping free of clutter. There are some very good rules to follow to make sure that we won't end up with a cluttered room again. We need to put things back where they belong instead of laying them down in a haphazard way or helter-skelter. You know we all were told growing up, "that there is place for everything and everything in its place", and that is certainly true now that we have organized everything.

Resist temptations when you are shopping and never buy duplicates, never buy on the , and don't buy one thing unless you get rid of one thing beforehand. That would mean that you need to get rid of something by giving it away or donating it BEFORE you purchase anything new. That is usually the beginning of hording or collecting junk. Continue to be diligent with your organization by only touching a piece of mail once. If it is trash, throw it our but if it is important, then file it. There are nice filing cabinets that are essential to maintaining order for paperwork. If you have trouble keeping addresses, invest in a rolodex to keep important numbers in and you can add or subtract names with ease.

Now that you know how to go about being a clutter cleaner, you will be so proud of yourself. It is a great feeling to be successful with a chore well done. It is so empowering to have your stuff organized and live clutter free. Enjoy the new freedom that having your home back in the condition that will make you proud if a neighbor shows up unexpectedly and enjoy being able to sit in your favorite chair and read or watch television knowing that YOU DID IT! Social network users, go to http://www.wishafriend.com/ac/ for myspace comments and http://www.wishafriend.com/graphics/ for myspace graphics. If you love glitter graphics go to http://www.wishafriend.com/glitter/ for over 4000 glitters and send them to your friends and your profile. ]]> Clutter Cleaner 1 http://www.artwoo.com/article/clutter-cleaner-1 http://www.artwoo.com/article/clutter-cleaner-1#comments Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:35:00 +0000 monetary gainspare bedroomtelevision showsclutterblueprintpossessionsmotive http://www.artwoo.com/article/clutter-cleaner-1 clutter. It starts to choke you and drain your energy. Only a person who lives with clutter can understand why somebody would hoard their , or even their "junk". A common feeling among people, who have a cluttered house, is that they know where everything is located, and many times, they actually do! What may look like a mess to someone else seems organized to the one living that way. It is actually difficult for some people to get rid of things and they tell a friend, "On my next vacation (or days off), "I'll help you if you help me". It seems like such a desperate job that it looks impossible.

How do I know? Because I am planning on getting rid of most of the things in my home that have been "saved", collected or just not thrown out for years. When your children are growing up, you tend to save things for them but usually in a more organized manner than when they grow up and move out. You are left your stuff and their stuff and lots of stuff that doesn't get used any more. I am going to use this article as a for the way I attack my . I have decided that I am going to pretend to be moving and I only want to pack the "good, usable and necessary" stuff for my "new place". That is going to be my and seems to be a great way to think about the extra stuff in your house once you decide to get rid of the clutter.

Do you know how to separate clutter from what is actually valuable? There are shows on television and books that have been written, that try to help people determine what they should keep and what they should discard. The are interesting to me, for a number of reasons like, there are many people to help you with the process of doing and deciding and there is a to receive once the clutter is gone. In case you have never seen the show, the television people will add new pieces of furniture that will help retain the order and the organization of the home. They strive to organize things in ways that will be easy for people to maintain.

The professionals give advice on how to sort all the stuff in your house. They say to separate all the stuff in 3 large areas designated to donate or sale, discard and keep. It is difficult for people to get rid of things that they have been "collecting" for years, especially if those items are attached to a lot of memories. There has to a limit on each thing that you handle so you won't get bogged down in emotional memories.

If you are wondering how to start the whole process, you will need to remove EVERYTHING from a room, including clothing in the closets and furniture. Social network users, go to http://www.wishafriend.com/ac/ for myspace comments and http://www.wishafriend.com/graphics/ for myspace graphics. If you love glitter graphics go to http://www.wishafriend.com/glitter/ for over 4000 glitters and send them to your friends and your profile. ]]> Declutter Strategies - A Book Review http://www.artwoo.com/article/declutter-strategies-a-book-review http://www.artwoo.com/article/declutter-strategies-a-book-review#comments Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:15:00 +0000 information clutterenormous favordeclutter tipsinformation junkiedeclutteringsusan wrightknickknacks http://www.artwoo.com/article/declutter-strategies-a-book-review
I decided a long time ago that gathering that I can actually use is better than gathering more clutter. "Good-bye Clutter -- Organize and Simplify Every Room in Your Home" by offers ideas for in every area of your life. But is the information useful? Here's what I found.

-- Do you need someone to tell you the truth about your clutter?

Susan does that up front in the first chapter. I did not find that information as helpful as other portions of her book simply because I have read that before. I was eager to find new declutter tips!

However, if you've never given yourself the chance to discover the 'why' behind your clutter, do yourself an . Read "Good-bye Clutter" chapter one and ponder it, honestly. You'll only need to do this once and then you'll be ready to take action.

-- What are your clutter collections?

I admit it; I'm an . I want to save everything I read that is meaningful to me or that I think I might need to re-read some day. Of course, when I need that information, I either can't find it or I simply search for a new source.

Then one day it hit me. I'm online everyday. I don't even need a dictionary anymore as long as I have a computer and internet connection. I can look up ANYTHING at the click of my mouse. I honestly don't need to keep the machine running anymore!

Susan discusses clutter collections in her book, too. From to photographs, she offers some interesting ways to cut ourselves loose from 'collecting' these items but not enjoying or using them.

If you see yourself here, 'Clutter Collections' might be the chapter for you.

-- A step-by-step approach.

"An efficient, well-kept household is not an impossible dream. Only two things need to be kept in mind: Get rid of things you don't use and put the things you do use in the area they are used or nearby." Susan Wright "Good-bye Clutter".

The author emphasizes usefulness in her organizational structure. Her tone seems to be geared towards someone who is ready to make changes...now. The book goes through each major room in the house describing ways to declutter step-by-step, but not in too much depth.

If you read this book, you'll be asked to think about how you use items and spaces around your home. I know how well this concept works. I recently remodeled my kitchen and I spent hours considering how I work in that space and what items needed to be grouped together. Now all that effort has paid off handsomely as multiple cooks can work in my kitchen with ease and clean-up is shockingly simple.

All because of a new organizing system based on how we actually use our kitchen.

The kitchen section of this book has numerous declutter tips but is overall too lightweight for me. Most women spend a lot of time in their kitchen and need it to flow well and work hard but don't know where to start. Still, if you started with these tips in a month or so you'd probably be ready to declutter even further.

-- Who's to blame?

I love the section in "Good-bye Clutter" on dealing with household clutterers. We all have them! No matter how organized you and I may be, if our family is not, we're going to lose the clutter battle!

Living in a family requires teamwork and nowhere is that more apparent than in the amount of clutter found around a home. Again, while this section is not extensive, it IS very helpful, as I think this idea is important and often overlooked in organizing resources.

Sections on storage solutions, home entertainment and dealing with clothing are included, too. The author has a fairly extensive section on paper clutter and for most of us, this will be welcome news. Unless you run a home office, the information found here will probably be sufficient to get you decluttered and making sense of your paper flow.

"Clutter slows you down and it creates confusion." writes the author and she's right. Her final chapter is entitled "Uncluttering Your Time". If you suspect that you are struggling with a time management challenge as well as a clutter problem, then this section will get you started toward freedom. The trick is, of course, not to get overwhelmed by the notion of all this change and give yourself permission to do what you need to do one step at a time.

"Good-bye Clutter" by Susan Wright is a good place to start if you've never read an organizing book before. (It can be found in your local library or online bookseller.) You will find practical tips to help you declutter your spaces and then you can decide if you want to move onto something more in-depth later on.

And that's fine because the war on clutter is won one step at a time. Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 26 years and helps other moms enjoy mothering more at http://www.paintedgold.com. Visit her website and get easy declutter tips at http://www.paintedgold.com/Organize/declutter.html . ]]> Hot Spots And Office Work http://www.artwoo.com/article/hot-spots-and-office-work http://www.artwoo.com/article/hot-spots-and-office-work#comments Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:25:00 +0000 home business ownersuccessful home businesshome business worldhome business ownerscluttermessiescoincidentally http://www.artwoo.com/article/hot-spots-and-office-work home business owners have incredible motivation, work ethic, and ingenuity. They have found a way to seemingly have it all, namely to make a living and spend time with their family at the same time. They understand the need to listen and learn from wise businessmen, to glean what they can, and most importantly, to be disciplined enough to stay organized. The last thing a customer wants to hear is, "we lost your invoice." When was the last time Sears called you to apologize because they could not find your bill and needed to know how much you charged for that new washer and dryer in your entryway? It doesn't happen in the corporate world, and it shouldn't happen in the . And yet the Bain of home business lies in poor organization skills. The single item lying between a owner and a failure of a home business owner lies in the office organization. So how does a business owner overcome the mess? What does he do?

Two kinds of people exist in this world: those naturally inclined towards organization and those that just couldn't care less about formal organization. Psychologists use informal terms for these people: neat knicks; ; slobs; OCDs. Regardless of the label, those who have found a way to keep their office clean and organized have found a way to succeed with their home business. Those who lean towards the messy side of life need to follow only a few simple maintenance rules once they organize their office.

First and foremost, the messies need to keep out of the office. They need to be vigilant, and attack clutter once it tries to creep in. Messies who succeed at this will find themselves able to identify clutter the second it steps into the office. They notice specific spots that clutter gravitates to. We call these hot spots. If a person can identify a hot spot, then he knows exactly where to look for clutter and exactly what to clean off.

Second, the messies must find a system of organization that works for them. Filing cabinets make the most sense, but shelves are an excellent tool. If a messy can see the floor, he has made major headway. However, the messy should not just move clutter from the floor to shelf. In the moving process, he should arrange the clutter into a logical order so that nearly anyone could find what he needs in that office.

Finally, the messy needs to understand that combating clutter will be a life-long process for him. Alcoholics forever struggle with the desire to take a drink. Smokers who stopped lighting up decades ago still feel the urge to light a cancer-stick on occasion. The smell of nicotine invigorates them, and once again they realize that they cannot go back because if they do, they will never return to their healthy world again. The same exists with the messies. It's their inclination to be messy, to let the hot spots go, and thus they must discipline themselves daily to combat clutter in the home office.

If any place in the home needs to be clutter free, it's the home office. The scariest thing that a home business owner will read is notice that the IRS will be conducting an audit. The messy might even go into a comatose state. However, if the messy has learned to organize his office and keep track of his documents, he should be fine. Not even an IRS audit will derail his success. Jim Biscardi is owner of Dynamic Wealth Systems, LLC and writes on a variety of subjects. To learn more about this topic Jim recommends you visit: http://www.DynamicWealthSystems.com ]]> ADD - Combating The Dreaded Clutter Monster http://www.artwoo.com/article/add-combating-the-dreaded-clutter-monster http://www.artwoo.com/article/add-combating-the-dreaded-clutter-monster#comments Mon, 18 Feb 2008 05:35:01 +0000 painless ones boxoffice supply storemailday jobmesseslids http://www.artwoo.com/article/add-combating-the-dreaded-clutter-monster
It's not uncommon for people with ADD to have clutter in their lives. Though we really prefer things to be nice and neat, we don't have the wherewithal to keep things that way. We hate to be bored, and so we procrastinate, sometimes for years. And we may be comfortable with our , but the people who have to live with us may not be so easy going. They let us know when it's time to fix the mess. So, how does a person with ADD get started?

Here's an idea for you that is totally ADD-friendly:

Get a big box and dump everything into it. Just gather it up and toss it into the box. Not too boring or time consuming, right? Just be sure to keep bills aside or anything that needs attention. You may want to get a basket and keep it somewhere that's easy to get to when the comes. You can just toss bills in there as they come in, and then, pick a day each month when you'll pay them.

Pick a day to go through the box you've just filled with mess, too, and be sure it's a day when you won't be distracted and need to leave the house. This will be an all-day, job, but a . So, get a timer and two banker'es with from the , and a trash can. Then, set the timer for five minutes and start going through the stuff in the big box. Put trash in the trash, important papers into one banker's box, and not-so-important-but-I-don't-want-to-throw-away papers into another one.

At the end of the five minutes, stop. Reset the timer for 55 minutes, and go and do whatever you want to do for that time. When the timer buzzes, then set it for 5 minutes again, and go back to the big box and start sorting. Unless the big box is the size of a small elephant, you should be done by the end of that day.

After finishing, write a date on the not-so-important banker's box and store it. If you don't look inside after six months, then, throw it away. Keep the other banker's box with important papers, like insurance policies or product warranties, in a cool, dry place where you can reach it easily. It's not important that the papers inside are organized. They just have to be available for you to find them, if needed.

Nothing in the world will stop your ADD from making clutter again. So, make this a monthly ritual. Pick up everything, and take a day to sort it. If you can do this, you'll be happier, but imagine how happy your non-ADD family will be. You can do anything for 5 minutes at a time. Try it and see if this clutter-slaying process isn't right for you. Tellman Knudson is a certified hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner, who has helped many of his clients to cope with the symptoms of ADD. Subscribe to his free weekly ADD Success tips when you visit Instant ADD Success at http://www.instantaddsuccess.com/ ]]> Cleaning Does Not Have to Be a Chore http://www.artwoo.com/article/cleaning-does-not-have-to-be-a-chore http://www.artwoo.com/article/cleaning-does-not-have-to-be-a-chore#comments Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:15:16 +0000 vacuum cleanerbreaking the bankvacuumscouchesclutterchoreshalf an hour http://www.artwoo.com/article/cleaning-does-not-have-to-be-a-chore chores take up too much of their time and that they would rather be doing something else. This is certainly understandable, but there are ways to make cleaning more effective and more efficient without -- or your back! One of the easiest things that you can do to clean more quickly is to put things back where you got them when you are done using them. Too many people just lay an item down anywhere when they are finished with it, and the piles up. Then it seems like it takes forever on cleaning day to get rid of that clutter, and who knows what small objects might get sucked into the when you vacuum the carpet, especially under the edges of , chairs, and tables. Just by putting things away when you are done with them instead of waiting for them to pile up or be fished from a vacuum cleaner bag you can save a lot of time cleaning.

Another good idea is not to have a specific day that you use to clean and vacuum the entire house. It can tie up an entire day -- usually on a weekend -- and can make you grumpy and irritable. If you put it off because you do not want to do it then the dirt and clutter just pile up and it makes it that much worse the next time. If you do this with the carpet, for example, it can make your vacuum cleaner work much harder and wear out a lot faster. Plus, most are not capable of getting that much ground-in dirt and grime out of the carpet. Instead of doing that, why not clean one or two rooms each day? That sounds like a chore because each day involves cleaning, but it is not really difficult at all. If it is only one or two rooms and the clutter has already been put away instead of being allowed to accumulate there is hardly anything to clean at all. That makes for happy homeowners who take pride in a neat and clean home.

Spending even each day cleaning can save you wasting your weekends stuck inside your house scrubbing things and putting away clutter. Of course there are times when you will have to take time to clean something more thoroughly but those kinds of cleanings can be once a month or even once every few months depending on the size of your house and how many people are in it. If you have children or pets you will probably have to clean more thoroughly more often -- and you will also likely need a stronger and better vacuum cleaner for hair and dirt -- but even large households can stay much cleaner by just keeping up with the housecleaning instead of letting it pile up until it becomes a huge chore that you almost cannot bring yourself to do.Dave Roth runs a site that focuses on vacuum cleaner reviews. The site features reviews on popular brands such as miele vacuums, Dyson, and Rainbow vacuums. For more information, check out his site.]]> How To Sell Your Home For Top Dollar, Part 1 http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-sell-your-home-for-top-dollar-part-1 http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-sell-your-home-for-top-dollar-part-1#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2007 03:56:01 +0000 clutterprospective buyersfurnituresensesprospective buyerbad smelltop dollar http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-sell-your-home-for-top-dollar-part-1 clutter out, making the home appealing, getting exposure, and having a great agent are all great ways to help your home sell for .

Make the Exterior Look Great If you want to get a great price for your home, you will want to be sure that it looks great on the outside. Make sure that s get a great impression as soon as they drive up to your home. Be sure to cut your grass and pay attention to landscaping that makes the grounds look attractive. You may also want to trim trees and hedges to make the look neat as well. Be sure that your porch is clean and tidy if you have one and that the front door is clean and looking good. Remember that the exterior of your home will be the prospective buyers first impression, so you want it to look great.

Keep Clutter Away When builders are setting up model homes that are for sale, they only use very little to make the home look appealing to the buyer. You will want to make sure that your home looks appealing as well by making sure that you get rid of any clutter. If you have very large pieces of furniture, you may be better off to put them in storage while you are trying to sell your home. If there is too much furniture in one room, it can make the room look small. You want your home to look open and spacious to prospective buyers, so make sure that the clutter is put away to make your home look its very best.

Appeal to Not only do you want to appeal to the sight in your home, but you want to appeal to all the senses of a prospective buyer. Smell is very important and a in your home can turn away a buyer, even if they were otherwise impressed. Make sure that you take measures to get rid of any bad odors and use a subtle type of air freshener to make your home smell wonderful. You may also want to have soft, subtle music playing in the background to make the prospective buyer feel relaxed as they are touring through the home. Opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the view of the http://www.buyersadvantagegroup.net/ and http://www.buyersadvantagegroup.net/sitemap.php which the author would like for you to visit. ]]> Cleaning The Clutter In The Mind http://www.artwoo.com/article/cleaning-the-clutter-in-the-mind http://www.artwoo.com/article/cleaning-the-clutter-in-the-mind#comments Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:30:00 +0000 necessary choreromantic cardspace lightspring cleaningcalmnessdisarraydeep breath http://www.artwoo.com/article/cleaning-the-clutter-in-the-mind spring cleaning, or fall cleaning, which is done before Christmas. Regardless of when you do it, you know how hard it is to part with sentimental "junk" that you have collected over the years. We all have some kind of memories attached to articles from the past that we keep. We hold onto these things and have a hard time getting rid of them, things like a , a child's first drawing or project, letters from an old boyfriend, pictures without dates. I have boxes of these kinds of "memories" and want to be able to separate from them but sometimes find that I spend more time looking through them to decide what to get rid of than I actually do discarding them.

When we spring clean our belongings with memories, it becomes a very big chore. It is a that allows us to have more space, light and energy in our home and ultimately in our life. We must then approach it as a chore, or any activity that we expend energy and time and prepare ourselves for a pretty big task.

We need to take a , inhaling good energy. As we exhale, we want to get rid of any old, stale energy that has us tied done. We want to inhale deeply, filling our lungs and mind with cleansing energy and oxygen, telling ourselves that this task will bring us a renewed spirit. As we exhale, we need to acknowledge the chains that bind us to all the memorabilia that we have collected over time.

As we think of the job at hand, we need to inhale clarity, so we can exhale clutter. We need to breathe in so we can exhale emotional . While thinking of all the possibilities of more space and light and energy we will have when we are finished with cleaning the clutter of our lives, we can exhale what stands in our way. We can have order in our lives by claiming the space and the light we deserve by eliminating the emotional clutter in our homes.

Once we are in state of relaxation, as we continue to breathe in fresh, new air and exhale tensions and stress, we begin to realize that our lives and homes have become less a place of relaxation than a place filled with memories, conflict and worries. We begin to sense that the memories that we have held onto have taken our freedom away by filling our spaces with clutter so we have a hard time making new memories.

When we decide to clear the clutter of our lives, we are choosing to let go of the old and embrace the new. There becomes a sense of hope and joyous feeling that our spirits will be lifted and our home filled with sunshine, brightness and positive energy again. It is as if we can finally realize that all the old stuff we have been hanging onto is holding back in history. The clutter that has been taking up space in our homes and hearts has kept us from moving forward.

As we finish this deep breathing exercise, we have begun the act of cleaning our closets, attics and minds of the clutter we have collected. With a renewed sense of wanting order and space in our homes, we can begin the task of getting rid of history that will not be important to anyone after we are gone from this earth.

In order to clear out the excess, the clutter, the stored memorabilia, we need to ask ourselves certain questions. As we look at each item, we must limit our time to one minute to decide its value when we ask the questions. There are 3 ways to get rid of clutter: toss it, donate it or keep it. The items you keep should only be 10% of what you have to discard. As you go through everything, the questions to ask yourself should be: What does this item mean to me? How does it make me feel when I look at it? Is it holding me in the past? Is it as important to someone else as it is to me?

If you determine an item too valuable to part with, then be grateful that you have it. When you determine which things won't be important to others after you're gone, then donate them or toss them. After you have cleared out 99% of the clutter, look around your home and acknowledge all the extra room you have and how much lighter and brighter your surroundings seem to be. Don't you feel liberated, free and more energetic? Congratulate yourself for a job well done and then move on. You can do this every time you feel overwhelmed by the clutter in your life. Social network users, go to http://www.wishafriend.com/ac/ for myspace comments and http://www.wishafriend.com/graphics/ for myspace graphics. If you love glitter graphics go to http://www.wishafriend.com/glitter/ for over 4000 glitters and send them to your friends and your profile. ]]>