Simple Ways to Declutter Your Life

We all know how easy it is to clutter up your desk with papers and books, your kitchen counters with cups and food boxes, your credit card bill with needless expenditures, or the basement with useless storage items. It is not just your home that can get cluttered, but your health, your workplace and your finances as well. The good news is that taking time to declutter your crowded environment will open up needed space that will help you feel lighter and to think more clearly.

Related: How Clutter Affects You

According to Amara Willey, certified Professional Organizer, this does not have to be done in one day or one week, but by taking small steps it can all eventually get done. Willey suggests that you begin in a space you wish to organize, set aside half an hour of time and go through only that small area. Don’t get distracted and wander off because the stuff or your thoughts are taking you somewhere else. Stay the course and little by little you will eliminate all the clutter. The following suggestions will help you to get started and the results will be well worth the effort.

HOME

Take one room at a time, even a small corner of one room and organize, discard and clean that area before moving on to the next.
Discard any bathroom products that have not been used within the past 2 months.
Safely dispose of any toxic house cleaning products from under the kitchen sink.
Take one kitchen drawer at a time and dispose of anything you have not used in the past 6 months.
Organize the foods in your cabinets according to grains, beans, nuts/seeds, cereals, sweeteners, etc. This way everything is easily on hand when you go looking.
Recycle empty glass jars that have no lids and all plastic containers, plastic cooking implements and aluminum pots and pans.
Clean trash, empty food containers and plastic water bottles from your car. Wash the outside, vacuum the inside and wash the windows.

Next: The Workplace

1 of 4

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Natasha S.

9:51AM PST on Feb 17, 2013

Definitely easier said the done...but thanks for these great tips!!!

February 17
send a green star

Duane B.

7:47AM PST on Jan 2, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

January 2
send a green star

Pat A.

7:49AM PST on Jan 1, 2013

Seriously this is a good article - just take it one step at a time (I keep telling myself that!).

January 1
send a green star

7:45AM PST on Jan 1, 2013

How did they get that photo of me? Oh no - it isn't me as that is just paper - I'm drowning under everything else!

Lisa S.

7:02AM PDT on May 2, 2012

Great article, I always feel so much better after a de clutter, everything in life seems so much easier http://www.adsere.com/blog/2012/03/how-to-spring-clean-your-house/

May 2
send a green star

Patricia H.

5:43AM PDT on Apr 27, 2012

thanks for sharing

April 27
send a green star

Veronique L.

10:19AM PST on Mar 7, 2012

:-))

March 7
send a green star

New G.

11:18PM PST on Jan 1, 2012

Thank you for the ideas.

christina t.

9:53AM PST on Dec 27, 2011

I think we need an article on "how to stay uncluttered". I read these declutter articles and I go declutter. Somehow I always find myself back where I started but with other things.
I will try to remain uncluttered, promise this time I will do it, honest!