Kicking Clutter to the Curb
January 4, 2010
There is such a thing as The Clutter Monster. He is real, and he used to live in my house.
The Clutter Monster broke into my house sometime last year, and made himself right at home. At first I didn’t mind. He’d leave a pair of socks here, or a few papers there – nothing to get too worked up about. I was so distracted with my projects and this blog and my job and helping my kids with their schoolwork that I didn’t realize how this new roommate, The Clutter Monster, had really impacted my life.
Every night as I lie sleeping, he began to wreak havoc on my home, leaving his piles of unorganized stuff everywhere. The clothing, the papers, the toys steadily amassed all over the house. There was that moment when my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and I replied “To kick out the Clutter Monster.”
I finally realized over the holiday break that any time I was feeling a sense of anxiety in my life, it was because I was overwhelmed with all of the “stuff” in my home that I was forced to take care of. There were many days I would literally throw my hands up in frustration.
Then I had an epiphany.
I thought to myself, what if those piles didn’t exist? What if “poof” they magically disappeared?
Was there anything in those piles that was so necessary I’d miss it if it was gone? Would I really care ? Were those things really all that important ?
The obvious answer was “No”.
I realized how relaxed I am when there is order, and how much anxiety I feel when there are excessive piles of laundry, paperwork, or toys lying around. Clothes I didn’t wear, papers I didn’t need, and toys that were broken or never played with. I decided that the feeling of serenity from having all that “stuff” disappear was far more desirable than the “stuff” itself.
So I decided to kick the Clutter Monster to the curb once and for all. I decided I wouldn’t start any more projects until every last room was returned to order. I’ve been dedicated to this task for over a week, and along the way l’ve learned a few things.
In Your Quest to Kick Clutter to the Curb, you must :
1) Get in the Right Frame of Mind. Don’t start at the end of the day when you’re tired, start to conquer clutter when you are well rested. Put on some comfortable clothes and energizing music to prepare.
2) Remove All Distractions: Turn off the computer and the TV, put your phone in the other room, have someone watch the kids and give yourself at least 30 minutes to an hour of focused time, whatever you think you can handle.
3) One Zone at a Time: Whether it’s just your desktop, your kitchen cabinets, your kid’s toys, or your linen closet, pick one spot and stick to that spot. Don’t get overwhelmed thinking about an entire room or even your entire home.
4) Get your Three Bins Ready. One bin for items to toss, one bin for items to donate or sell, and a third bin of things to organize. If you’re sorting paperwork, it helps to have a shredder for receipts or paperwork with personal information that doesn’t belong in the trash. Just getting every item sorted into one of these categories is success since you’ve already decluttered by sorting into the toss/donate/sell/shred bins. What’s left just needs organized.
5) Use It or Love It ? If Not, Get Rid of It. I was amazed how much I was able to part with by just asking myself do I use it ? If not, do I love it ? If the answer to either is “Yes”, it stays. If not, it goes. I was shocked, literally shocked, how many bags of clothes, toys, and unnecessary items I removed from my house using this simple test. I kept repeating those words of William Morris, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” Like a mantra. It worked !
There were several zones that were absolutely out of control. The kitchen cabinets, the pantry, my personal closet, my kids’ rooms, the linen closet, and all that paperwork.
In the Kitchen: I discarded any spices that were over 8 months old, and recycled any plastics that didn’t have matching lids. I created one basket to hold plastic bases and one basket to hold plastic lids. I recycled all the mismatched plates and silverware; and donated any appliance I never used. Sayonara useless gadgets ! I repurposed the ratty kitchen towels as cleaning rags, and I plan to reward myself with some fresh kitchen towels and new spices.
Kids’ Rooms: After Christmas the toys were completely out of control. I had my husband take the kids on a long adventure, then I tackled their bedrooms and the playroom with them out of the house.
I sorted through all the cheap, broken plastic toys and tossed/recycled them.
Here’s a tip I picked up when I was a new mom: Remove half the toys in their room, and store them in bins out of sight. Then rotate these toys every 30 to 60 days to control clutter and keep boredom at bay.
With this technique, they rediscover their toys as if they’re new again.
Clothing: I asked myself, does it fit now ? (Not will it fit when I lose those last eight pounds.) Have I worn it in the last year ? Is it comfortable and stylish? If the answer was yes, then I kept it. If it was missing a button, or I didn’t like the color, or it just didn’t make me feel good, then out it went. Eight kitchen garbage bags of clothing, shoes and handbags left my closet. Then I also stored away summer items in baskets for when warmer weather returns.
In one day, I changed my embarrassingly cluttered closet (below) into a spacious organized space with empty shelves ! Wooo hoo, now I can shop ! Er, um, I mean, now I can breathe !
Bathroom: I sorted through medicines and discarded anything expired. I decided to store skin care products and first aid kits on one shelf/basket, and flu/pain medicines on another shelf so the products are easy to find based on ailment. I store medicines on a Lazy Susan to access them more easily. I tossed out any old lotion and soap products that had changed color or texture over time, or had only a half ounce left in the bottom.
My last decluttering project involves all the excessive paperwork. Financial records ? I’ve started a filing system. Receipts ? I bought a collapsible file folder to keep in the mudroom. Kids’ school papers ? I bought a wall organizer and some magnetic boards for the mud room as well. Coupons have their own basket, and so do the take out menus. Magazines will get filed into baskets or recycled.
What about all that junk mail ? 
I learned you can save a few million trees and stop unwanted catalogs by signing up with CatalogChoice.org. You personally opt out of whatever catalog you want, and they will contact the companies on your behalf and stop them from sending you catalogs free of charge. Because I need my Ballard Designs, but I don’t need Gadget Universe.
Or you pay $9.00 to the PrivacyCouncil.org to be removed from several sources of junk mail, including all Direct Marketing lists, ValPak and Pennysaver mailings, unwanted catalogs, mail order solicitations, unwanted magazines, pre-approved credit card offers and sweepstakes. You can also be placed on National Do Not Call lists to avoid those pesky phone solicitors. Save a tree, and save your sanity !
So I was able to declutter most of my house, although it took me more than a week, and not just a day. We’ll see just how far I get in this mission to start fresh, but I already feel so much better having purged my home and my life of all that useless stuff.
Tags: declutter, fresh start
The thing about the decluttering is that it’s NEVER OVER. I have done this countless times and the *stuff* keeps creeping back into our lives. It’s all worth it though. Staying on top of it, I mean. When your home gives you a sense of peace and sanctuary you’ve hit the right balance with your stuff.
Way to go!
I. must. walk. away. from. the. computer. and. declutter. NOW.
I wish I had been there for the cleaning of the closet! EIGHT BAGS?! I know there would have been things I could use;)
Happy de-cluttering to you!!
It is such a good feeling when you do a real deep down purge and drop it all off at the Goodwill. I need to start with my own closet. Clothes I don’t wear etc…I have to be in the mood to do a really good job and I am almost there! Thanks for the spark!
Oh this is all very helpful and motivational…..I may need to read it again and again every day this week!!
Suzanne
It’s funny, I spent all day (yep, all day) cleaning, getting rid of old unused things for donating, giving away or recycling. And I agree with you, what a relief! I still have more to go but it truly helps one feel calm and relax. Working with ton of clutter around you is no good. Good luck finishing up! =)
This is a great post! I have been working on decluttering my house over the past few days and it is amazing how much more relaxed I am already! It really is overwhelming when the Clutter Monster takes over – here’s to keeping him out of our houses in 2010!
Can I comment again? I just realized that I had something intelligent to add…last night I had a minor breakdown about our own clutter and my husband and i decided to start something new: every night right after we put our kiddo to bed, we’ll dedicate 15 minutes to picking up the downstairs – that’s a lot of time for two people! I couldn’t believe how clean we got it – we even had time to sweep the kitchen. Ok… I’m done now.
You have totally motivated me! I know that feeling all to well and want to feel the serenity and calm of an organized and uncluttered space!!! Thanks!
Oh how true this all is. I cleaned out my wardrobe NYE and boy do I feel good about it. But I am still feeling stress……ok, next is the garage. I can hardly get the car in!!!
Great post. I’m so overwhelmed by all of the junk that we seemed to acquire since we moved in 2 years ago. Thanks for the motivation.
I have been busy for the past few days getting the best of my clutter monster. It is amazing what you find when you really go through closets and cabinets!
You’ve inspired me to go ahead and tackle my clothing problem. We moved into our new place 5 months ago and many many boxes of undesired clothing and accessories are sitting in the garage. Good luck with finishing the rest of your goals this week, and thank you for getting me off my butt!
I love a neat and organize house. I can’t do a project until everything is clean. I just moved and I had the house unpacked in one week. Now my project is to get my office/craft space organized the way I want it. I can’t believe your closet! It looks great!
Wow, thanks for the post! It’s completely encouraging. Although I have a hard time deciding to part with things “I just like” mostly when it comes to clothes. But I started small… I started with my t-shit/tank top drawer!!
Great post! I am also in the process of decluttering my house. I am trying to simplify and get rid of a lot of unwanted items in my home. I am tired of not being able to find things in my home, due to lack of organization. Love & blessings from NC!
Girl, pop over to my blog and check out what you inspired me to do tonight. Thanks!! I love coming here and finding inspiration for all sorts of stuff.
Great tips and good advice! Now I just need to apply it.
Thanks for the reminder about the spices. I did an inventory of my holiday spices just before Christmas and ended up going through them all. You know you have a problem when you have a large jar of Spice Island spice with a price tag of $1.89!
I do this twice a year, once in January and then again before Pesach (passover), but it should really be done a little bit every day. Like you, in a clean, organized space I feel relaxed and able to do anything. When I come home to clutter and chaos, I feel so paralyzed and end up doing nothing. Good luck wrangling in your Clutter Monster!
I hate clutter, and luckily it isn’t something I deal with much at my house. I do find that by the end of the year, things have gotten a bit “messy” and I hate it. So, I love January. In the past few days I’ve gone through all the years bills and paperwork, pitching and filing…pulling for taxes. I have scribbled with hundreds of pens and thrown away massive amounts of free ones that come to live at our house during the year. I’ve cleaned a few kitchen cabinets (Tablescape Thursday is creating a monster here) and one of the bathroom vanities. Each project creates a great feeling in me when I get it done. I’m a bit obsessive…what’s wrong with that?
Terrific post! I have to start packing for a move soon and I’m decluttering first and during the move. I’m in the process of reading a favorite old book, Clutter’s Last Stand by Don Aslett, which always inspires me. Now I have a new inspiration; your blog. Love it here!! ♥
I’m on an organizing kick too, and created a series for my blog this week, inspired by yours, called “Make Live Easier”. That’s what organizing is, isn’t it? I, too, get super anxious when I can’t find things and am surrounded by clutter, and trying to tackle the whole thing at once is overwhelming. Your tip to go by zone is so important. Even if one only one zone is accomplished in a day (or whatever timeframe you give yourself) at least it’s DONE! Great post!
I applaud your organization. I hate the clutter monster too. It seems that I get rid of him often but for some reason he seems to double faster then a bowl of yeast bread:) I was having company for Christmas and needed to clean my kitchen counter where I throw all my papers. I needed to have counter space to place the buffet food I was serving. I spent about an hour throwing out papers I did not use etc. I was down to one tiny bag of papers and my paper address book. I put them all in a plastic bag to go under the cabinet until after the company left my home. Well, some how the bag was thrown out with all the junk. You know I am going a little nuts because I really need some of those papers but my husband can’t believe how calm I am about the entire thing. I am sure I will have a melt down any day now when I think of some item in that bag that I must have:) Oh well I guess you can say my kitchen is now TOTALLY clutter free:)
It’s funny how there are hoarders who live amongst piles of junk and trash and can’t seem to throw anything away and then there are people like you and me and everyone who has commented above who have to live a clutter-free life. I’m soooooo glad I am a member of the latter! Is there a term for us?
Kate, I just started reading your blog and am loving all of your ideas. Since you have kids, I just wanted to share a quick way to declutter their papers, report cards, awards, etc. I have large, cute, 3 ring binders for both of my kids. I use the top load page protectors to save any special papers in chronological order. I also have a small laminating machine that I use for newspaper articles or pictures of them. Then I 3 hole punch and add to their binder. I would LOVEE to be a scrapbooker, but I don’t really have the time or the money, so this has been the next best thing.
I am so glad to read of your 8 bags from the closet! I did this about a year ago and had 7 myeslf. I had to take 2 trips to the clothing donation place so they didn’t think it all came from my house at once! Good for you for and your cleaning!
ummm, I LOVE this entry!!! Thanks to you, I’m vowing to de-clutter my little house this year! Nothing like a fresh start!! I wrote about you (and how inspiring you are!) in my latest entry if you’d like to check it out – http://9-oh-6.blogspot.com/2010/01/de-clutter.html
Thanks!
Amazing!! I am so inspired to get my home organized, thanks for the inspiration!
Great post! I love the “use it/love it” test. I definitely need to do some of that. Thanks so much for linking up to my party.
[...] when I was on that huge organizing kick back in January, even did an entire week of posts on getting a fresh start ? I even managed to get somewhat organized when it came to filing paperwork, but I’m sorry [...]