Give the Gift of No More Clutter
November 9, 2006 by Smooth Moves Lady
Filed under RightSizing Articles
Around the holidays, clutter becomes more noticeable. As you decorate and rearrange for entertaining, every little thing stands out. Now is the perfect time to declutter… and to help loved ones who may be hesitant to become a bit more clutter-free and carefree!
Here are a few tips to help…
Facts about Clutter
- Clutter drags us down emotionally — getting rid of it makes us feel better.
- Reducing clutter makes us feel more “in control” of our lives
- Consider the old Real Estate Saying… “Clutter Eats Equity” it’s important if you are planning to sell your home soon
How to Begin “Clearing the Clutter”
- Use the six months rule — if you haven’t used it for six months you probably don’t need it
- Give any cold-weather clothing you don’t need to a nearby shelter or your favorite charity
- Clear and donate unneeded items before the end of the year for charitable tax credits
- Begin with a single place — one room, one closet, even ONE DRAWER!
Starting small and making regular progress is much more effective (and more likely to succeed) than trying to do it all at once. Doing one small section per day will get you cleared out by the end of the year. If you are expecting holiday guests, start with the public areas first. Begin in the entryway and organize based on what visitors see first.
How to Help Prevent Additional Holiday Clutter:
- Ask others not to buy you physical gifts — tell them you already have too many things!
- Plan an outing together as a gift — having a day to spend with a loved one, eating a meal together, working on a project — will build memories that form a lasting gift that doesn’t gather dust or add to the clutter
- If you know someone who is clearing their own clutter, consider a criss-cross shredder as a gift — it’s one of the few gifts that can help eliminate clutter
- If you have someone on your gift list that would also enjoy a clutter-busting, consider “giving” them a day of your help to clean out that closet, that pantry, or the kitchen that they simply can’t face alone
- Ask someone to help you clear clutter for a few hours rather than giving you a gift
If you are creative and open-minded — and remember that the holidays are about family, being thankful and giving of yourself — this holiday may help you to rightsize your home and may help your loved ones do the same.
However you decided to clear the clutter, I’ll guarantee you will feel better for doing it! Best wishes for a lighter, more clutter-free holiday season.
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