The road to clutter is paved with good intentions

When you walk around your home do you feel relaxed, in control and surrounded by things you love and that reflect your life today? If not, then probably your home is being taken over by clutter. Imagine being the caterpillar inside of its cocoon. It is cramped, dark, gloomy, hot, and overwhelming. Clutter is just that. You feel cramped and overwhelmed. Every clutter intends to get organized. BUT...there is never enough time, isn’t it?

I would categorize clutter into 4 main categories:
- Things you do not use or love i.e.: your outdated tudung
- Things that are untidy or disorganized i.e.: magazines, paper cutting
- Too many things in too small place i.e.: free tiny toys
- Anything unfinished i.e.: old DIY project

How do you deal with clutter? Do you simply ignore it or take action one day at a time? How much stuff do you have that you need? What can you give away and allow to be used by someone else? Set priorities. This is how I manage my clutters and i hope this will help you to take the first step to de-clutter.

- First and foremost, don’t panic. You are not alone when it comes to clutter. Start today. Remember that procrastination is the major obstacle to decluttering.
- Choose a small area to start and keep up the momentum. If you feel energized then keep going. But always work on one area at a time and finish it before you start somewhere else.
- Next, remember that one person’s clutter is another person’s treasure so get the rest of your family involved in sorting out their stuff. This is the hardest part for me, letting go of old stuffs. Believe it or not I still keep some of my high school “love letters” :o)
- Once you have decided to let things go, it’s crucial to get them out of the house as soon as possible. Unwanted items can be given to charity, friends or family or recycled. Or you could sell them at a car boot sale or second hand clothes shop or advertise in your local newspaper.
- Last but not least, once you have decluttered and decided what to keep, then it’s time to look at storage.
To maintain a clutter free home it is essential that everything has a home. Find or create a home for every item in the home and store related items together.

Happy de-cluttering!