Time: 1 Hour
STEP 1: Start from one side of a room and work through it methodically. Then move onto the next room until the house is done. If possible, don’t stop until you complete the last room… but if the idea of tackling the entire home is overwhelming or simply not possible, pick one area that is particularly cluttered or causes you a great deal of angst. By picking one project at a time, you can alleviate the burden of organizing the entire house, yet you will still feel immense satisfaction and peace at the end. Set a schedule by room and be specific (i.e. closet, bathroom, drawers, etc.).
STEP 2: Once you begin to organize your belongings, categorize them into piles based on what you “want” versus what you “need”. Put away the “need” items and leave the “want” pile to come back to a day or so later. When returning to the “want” items, ask yourself, “Can I live without this item and is there someone who could benefit from this item more than I am?” Be honest with yourself and challenge your immediate response. If a “want” item turns out to be something you need in the future, you can always repurchase it and apply more intention than the first time you purchased it.
STEP 3: If you haven’t touched an item in a year, ask the same question as above. It is normal to make up scenarios in our heads in which we might need an item that we own, and we allow that possibility to let us hold onto multiple items that we end up never using. Try to reduce your “might need” items to those that are in good shape and have multiple uses. If an item serves only one specific purpose, consider how often you’ve used that item in the last year and let your answer determine if you will use it in the next year. Eliminating and donating items allows someone else to benefit from your generosity.
STEP 4: Take items to your local donation center or select a charity that is meaningful to you and see your things leave a remarkable impact of the lives of others. Determine a reward for yourself once you have reached a certain goal in your organizational and cleaning efforts. For example, go out for dinner and a movie once you finish cleaning out your closet, etc. Once you return, set a date for the next area.
