Guilt Free De-Cluttering

Are you hanging on to piles and piles of stuff for no better reason than guilt? There are good reasons to hang on to stuff, but guilt is definitely not one of them! Join us as we work to let go of our guilt along with our clutter!

1. Don't Throw It Away: Many times we are unable to let go of clutter because we feel guilty about throwing things away. Letting go doesn't necessarily mean throwing away. Here are just 2 options available: Have a garage sale, or donate to a charity, or even do both at the same time. In a garage sale you have the opportunity to at least recoup a bit of your outlay.You will never recover full value, but some is better than none. If you donate to a charity, someone else can benefit from your generosity, plus you are able to take a tax deduction for charitable donations. If you elect to have a yard sale, schedule a truck from a charity to pick up what doesn't sell.
   
2. But I Spent Money On It! Are you held back by guilt because you spent money on something--even if you are getting no value from it? In this case, you are feeling needless guilt. Once the money is spent, it's gone. Unless you are able to return the item for full value-- doubtful at best--the money is gone. The best thing you can do is to let go of the needless guilt along with the unneeded clutter.
   
3. Helping Others: When you are at the point of letting go of the clutter, try donating items to the following types of organisations: women's shelters, homeless shelters, children's groups at churches, preschools and day cares--even church youth groups, women's ministries and nursing homes. Items like toiletries, clothing and bedding would be greatly appreciated at shelters. Items like craft supplies would be appreciated by preschools, day cares, nursing homes and church groups. Knowing you are helping others can alleviate a lot of unnecessary guilt.
   
4. Wishing you had more time to do fun things with the family? One of the things we often fail to take into account is the amount of time our clutter claims. The more stuff we have, the more we have to maintain , clean, take care of, etc. When you get rid of the clutter, you have more free time to enjoy with your family and friends.
   
5. But it was a gift!! Whatever the gift is--it very likely was given to you without strings. Once given, the recipient gets to decide whether or not to keep it. If it is something you truly don't love and won't use, re-gift it (just be careful not to re-gift it to the original gifter), donate it, sell it, give it away, or toss it. You could also exchange it for something you do love and will use.
   
6. It Has Sentimental Value! Are you hanging on to Great Aunt Agnes' item just because it was hers? Donating the item does not eliminate the memories you have of the person who gave it to you. Take a picture of the item . You will always have your memories regardless of whether you have the item, and looking at a picture will evoke the memories just as well as looking at the item itself, without the clutter.
   
7. Simplicity and Serenity: You Deserve Them! When our lives are cluttered and chaotic, serenity often escapes us. But each of us should be living simplified and serene lives. By removing the clutter from your home and your schedule, you are much more likely to reach simplicity and serenity. If we are honest with ourselves, when we have schedules and homes that are packed to the max with stuff, all we feel is frenzied and confused, not serene. Begin to remove the extraneous stuff and take steps that get you closer to simplified and serene.
   
8. One Person's Trash: You've heard that one person's trash is another person's treasure. It really is true. When you donate items to thrift stores like Lifeline you are helping in more ways than one. The people who can't afford to buy new are able to afford your gently used items and consider it great when they find nice things in their price ranges.
   
9. Less Housework!! How much time does cleaning take you? When you have lots of stuff around, it takes lots longer to clean and dust. Now I don't know about you , but anything that reduces housework is a good thing in my mind! So start donating that extra stuff and you'll find it much quicker and easier to clean your house--leaving you free to do much more fun stuff!
   
10. Drop in guests are not a worry! Do you hate to have drop in guests because there is so much stuff you don't want anyone to see it? When you reduce the clutter, you not only aren't worried about clutter, you welcome guests, planned or drop-in! You may even find that you want to entertain more!

Reduce Housework!

Hoarding old junk only increases the amount of housework you have to do, to it's worth having a clear out.

It is impossible to properly clean your home when it is full of clutter, also think of the health affects from clutter, allergies, dust mites, the list goes on.

If nothing else de-clutter to save housework!

5 Healthy Reasons to Spring Clean!

I read this article in the Courier Mails' Body & Soul Liftout on 27 September 2009 and thought it was so good I wanted to share it!

5 Healthy Reasons to Spring Clean

It's Spring! Time to clean up and Declutter by Andrew May

1. Dust and Lust: Recent research from Sharon Meers, co-author of Getting To 50/50 (Random House) shows that when men do more than 40 percent of the housework, they have more frequent and satisfying sex. What better way to impress your partner than a spick and span abode.

2. Turn down stress: Clutter causes stress and makes it difficult to find items. Clean up and feel more relaxed.

3. Tighten your buns: Cleaning can burn between 420 to 2100 kilojoules (100 and 500 calories), depending on the activity and time spent.

4. Reduce sniffles: One of the major causes of asthma and allergic sinus problems is the dust mite. Improve your health by eliminating built-up dust. Remove mould, mildew and clean air filters to decrease exposure ti airborne allergens.

5. Polish your mood: In a study by West Baltimore's International Communications Research, 98 percent of respondents said a clean home made them feel better.

Andrew May is a human performance expert, a bestselling author and a media commentator. His Recharge Clinic offers programs in performance, recovery, productivity and health. Visit www.andrewmay.com

Get Rid of Clutter in an Hour or Less

Getting rid of clutter doesn't have to be a long and arduous task. You can complete these simple declutter projects in an hour or less.

1. Toss 10. Grab a garbage bag. Find ten items in your home that you no longer need or want and put them in the bag. Toss the bag in the wheelie bin or put it in your local charity bin (eg. Lifeline) if they are items that can be recycled. Don't look back.

2. Clear a surface. Find at least one cluttered surface in your home, like a kitchen benchtop or a dressing table, and completely clear it of all clutter. Place all the unwanted items immediately into the bin.

3. Toss out old magazines. Gather any old magazines or newspapers that you have already read and haven't looked at in the last couple of weeks. Recycle or donate them today.

4. Weed out 5. The thought of thinning out and organising your entire filing system may seem daunting to say the least, but anyone can weed out just 5 file folders at a time.

5. Go through a junk drawer (everyone has one of these in their home). Whatever you can't identify or is clearly junk (meaning you've never used it and never will) gets thrown out.

6. Toss anything that has past it's used by date. Go through your fridge and medicine cabinet, gathering anything perishable that has expired. Hint - a good day to do this is on your rubbish collection day so your items will be collected straight away by the garbage man.

7. Throw away junk mail. Don't be tempted - immediately toss out anything that is clearly junk mail.

8. Put things away. While carrying a basket or large bag with handles, go through your home putting at least half a dozen items that are not in their correct place in the basket or bag. Then, deliver those items to their proper homes.