How To Purge and Declutter Anything


One of the most important things you can do when your house is overrun with stuff is to purge and declutter. It is amazing how this will ultimately make you feel. It isn’t as easy or as fast as they show on television, however, it is worth it. One of the ways you know that you have too much stuff is all of your flat surface areas are covered in ‘things’. This is your first sign that you need to declutter!


You will want to gather boxes or trash bags and have them clearly marked: keep, trash, give away, garage sale (but, use this one ONLY if you are really and truly going to have a garage sale!) Once you have your bins marked pick a surface and start clearing it off. You may choose to do one area a day or you might choose to get the whole thing completed in one weekend. However you choose, just make sure you do it to completion. I know of several people who choose a different flat surface in a room per day and then work on that. They get that are clean and the next day they work on a different one. Others feel better getting the entire room done in one ‘sitting’. However YOU think it should be done is exactly the right way to do it for you!


As you go through your items keep in mind that there are some things that are of value to yourself and to your family that you may require “extra’s” of. This is okay – just find a way to store them so they don’t take up your flat surface space. For example, computer paper, rather than having it on top of your computer desk, try storing it in your closet on a shelf. Still easy to get to, but, out of sight. Also, keys: my family has a plethora of them. Rather than having them take up flat surface space we purchased inexpensive plastic hooks that stick to the wall (& come off easily) to hang them up. They are out of sight, but always where we know to find them. This has been really helpful!


Don’t forget to take things to your local charity store. Other people will benefit from what you no longer need! It will make you feel good and will help you to have a Company Ready Home!! Once you are completely finished with your task, make sure you reward yourself with something that makes YOU feel good. It was hard work, it had to be done, but, you did it and you deserve to reward yourself!