Let’s face it, sometimes there are just not enough hours in a day to get things done. Work, family, exercise, cleaning, social media, meals, shopping, connecting with friends, distance learning… the list goes on and on. So when do we find the time to declutter and organize our homes?
A friend once told me, “How do you climb Mt. Everest? Just take one step at a time.” Piles of paper, closets stuffed with clothes or hundreds of family photos can feel like Mt. Everest. The trek to get through the clutter seems incredibly daunting at the start. However, it is possible to achieve success by taking one step at a time.
A philosophy that I encourage with my clients is the concept of “you can do anything for 15 minutes.” It’s true! No matter how overwhelmed you are with various life obligations, taking 15 minutes to work on a project is totally doable. By setting aside time every day you will conquer the mountain!
Here are ways to tackle the top three clutter burdens in 15 minute segments:
- PAPER – Did you know that one bankers box can hold 3,000 decisions to be made? Data organization is much more time-consuming than object organization. No wonder we struggle with paper! So let’s get through the paperwork by first labeling two empty boxes as “shred” and “file.” For 15 minutes each day go through the pile and decided if you should discard or keep. Ideally the shred box should be much fuller than the file box. Once all papers have been sorted, start the shredding process. If you have a significant about of shredding, check your local credit union for free shred events. We’ll tackle filing in another blog.
- CLOTHES – You’ve heard it from me before, discard clothes and shoes older than five years! Keep items out of the landfill by donating. Depending on wear and brand, clothes purchased within the last five years can be sold at consignment stores or online. Spend your 15 minutes by tackling one type of item such as shoes or t-shirts. Know that there are many who need these unused clothes and shoes in your closet and that you will be helping someone out with your donation!
- PICTURES – Just like paper there are hundreds of decisions to be made! Before starting, decide what types of photos you want to keep. For example, keep all photos of people and toss nature photos. Know that there are countless ways to sort the photos. Some suggestions include sorting by year, person or place. Gather several photo boxes and label them with whatever sorting method you decided upon and begin the process. Have fun with the task, reflecting on important people and places in your life!
This week pick your top clutter burden and spend 15 minutes each day working through the items. Take a picture of the project on day one and compare it to day seven. Noting the progress will keep you motivated to get through the entire task! You got this! Now go climb your Mt. Everest!
