It seems that everyone is posting on social media how they are de-cluttering, cleaning out, donating, or giving away items. Have you joined this effort? If not – check out these easy ideas to help you get started.
When you see the perfect space – neat and orderly, how do you feel? Take a moment to think about your style of cleaning and de-cluttering. Do you tackle the entire job? Do you take it a small section at a time? Do you avoid it at all costs? Let’s think about your closet and how you might tackle it.
I like to de-clutter at the beginning of each season. It is the perfect time to look at clothes, pick the favorites and get rid of things you do not enjoy wearing. If they don’t fit, are torn, or just don’t work anymore, get rid of them! As you select what you are going to 
wear for the day, inspect an item or two in your closet and decide – do you want to keep or give them away? If you don’t want it anymore, put it in a give-away bag. Take it to your car or garage so that it is out of sight and ready to donate. This quick strategy can help you clear out your closet. Many people suggest taking everything out of your closet and purging – this works great, but you may feel overwhelmed with this approach to clear out your closet. Up front I want to acknowledge that I am a work in progress. I will not profess to having a neat and orderly home, but I am making strides in this area.
While researching information for this blog, I found a great way to help us donate items that have sentimental value to us. What is it? It is simply taking a picture of the item before donating it! Does this sound too simple? Check out this short video shared by Ohio State University Professor Rebecca Reczek for insights into this simple strategy.
What is your next step? Just start! – I like this quick list of 101 items to help jump start your de-cluttering. Can you eliminate any of these from your life? IF you are ready, get rid of the items and move on.
Visit the University of Illinois Extension website for more detailed information on Dealing with Clutter.
Organized Living Space
Remember, find an organizing style that works for you and get started today! Soon your area will be neat and organized!
Do you have an idea that works for you? If so, share it in the comments below.
Sources:
Dealing with Clutter. https://web.extension.illinois.edu/clutter/dealing.html
Keep or Toss Card. Adapted from University of Illinois, Clear the Clutter: https://web.extension.illinois.edu/clutter/clearing.html
Reczek, R. (2017). Scientists find clever way to help you de-clutter your home. Retrieved from: https://news.osu.edu/scientists-find-clever-way-to-help-you-de-clutter-your-home/
Rupp, M. (2020). De-clutter List. Available: go.osu.edu/declutterlist
Photo credit:
Image by Jean van der Meulen from Pixabay
Writer: Michelle Treber, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Pickaway County, treber.1@osu.edu
Reviewer: Pat Brinkman, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fayette County, brinkman.93@osu.edu
Live Healthy Live Well 
It’s not the actual task of de-cluttering that prohibits me to starting. It’s what to do with all the specific items. Many items can’t be thrown into a landfill, like cell phone chargers, USB cables, etc, where do you take these items so they are correctly disposed of or recycled ? Bedding…where do I take bedding ? Can it be re-used by sewing organizations ? Can homeless shelters use bedding ?
I can’t just mindlessly throw items in the trash, I need t know they are being
re-purposed. Can you advise me ?
Thank You.
Cappi Hilyard
Good questions. Your local community may have an electronics recycling event which would work for the cables, phone chargers, etc. As far as bedding goes, some thrift stores accept them and either give them away or sell them. Other suggestions include churches, local shelters, Community Action Agencies, pet shelters, humane societies, etc.
I sent you an email with some additional suggestions to help re-purpose your items. Please let me know if you don’t get it.
It is great that you want to be environmentally sensitive and don’t want to thrown unneeded items in the trash. Thanks for posing these questions – it gives me an idea for future blogs. Thanks!
[…] Organized: Feeling out of control is driven by disorganization. Which adds to general stress. Reduce clutter and get organized. You will focus on more important […]