The Messies Manual

The first book I read when I wanted to get myself motivated was The Messies Manual by Sandra Felton. It is a light-hearted, funny and logical approach to organization and decluttering. I have read it for tips many times and highly recommend it as a starter primer. She has written several books, so follow the series.

Closet Decluttering

The Oprah episode of April 27, 2009 talked about closet decluttering. Peter Walsh was on. He said in these stress filled times decluttering
helps your mind. “It gives a better quality of life”. Also on that episode Peter said that selling things online brings a 4-5 times greater
return than yard sales. He recommended www.craigslist.com. I’ve used craigslist many times, you save shipping because you advertise locally.

You have the option to meet someone somewhere to exchange the sale or they can pick-up the item at your home. Follow the cash only rule.

Do a Little at a Time

Do a little at a time. Allow 15 minutes of time. Start a kitchen timer. Tackle one thing, the mail, a drawer, the coffee table clutter anything
that will probably take 15 minutes. When the timer goes off you’re done. It’s a start. Other small steps will follow until everything is
clutter-free and organized.

Peter Walsh on Oprah

Peter Walsh had a great tip about a kitchen drawer clean-out. He said take everything out of a drawer and put it in a box. Set a time limit of one
month. As you use an item, when it is clean it can be returned to the drawer. Everything left at the end of the one month limit – give it away.
To see 60 second video go to http://www.oprah.com/contributor/home/peterwalsh.

Someday = Clutter

Don’t keep appliances, tools, toys, etc. because SOMEDAY you’ll fix it yourself or get it repaired. SOMEDAY always turns into never and
any time you say SOMEDAY it always equals clutter.