Things You'll Need:
- Three boxes
- Determination
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Step 1
Choose a small area to start, a workspace (desktop or tabletop) is great. Or you can pick a smaller closet. Just don't choose that large, messy back bedroom to start--you might get discouraged by the amount of work you need to do.
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Step 2
Take three boxes and mark them as KEEP, TOSS, and DONATE/SELL. Start by picking up an item and picking a box for it. Try to fill up all of the boxes equally. Use the following criteria:
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Step 3
KEEP * Do you use it frequently, or need it for the running of your home/business? * Do you absolutely love it more than anything in the world?
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Step 4
TOSS * Not only do you not use it, but no one else could either. * Broken, out of date, spoiled items
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Step 5
DONATE / SELL * Everything that falls between Keep and Toss. If you can realistically have a garage sale within the next month, you can try to sell the items, otherwise (and whatever is left after the sale) drive it straight to the nearest Goodwill or Salvation Army store and donate it. You will be helping those in need while you rid yourself of extra belongings.
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Step 6
After you have placed every loose item into one of the three boxes, take the TOSS box straight to the trash.
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Step 7
Take the items out of the KEEP box and put each item away where it belongs. If any item doesn't have a home, ask yourself if you really need it, or if it really belongs in one of the other boxes.
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Step 8
Package up the DONATE / SELL box (with tape if that's what it will take to keep you from going through it again. Put the box in the garage or your car, out of sight and out of the way.
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Step 9
Look at your new, clean workspace! Now repeat the above steps on another area in your home... Set a goal of one area per week, and you will have de-cluttered home in no time!
