Decluttering 101

"The 27-Fling Boogie

We do this assignment as fast as we can. Take a garbage bag and walk through your home and throw away 27 items. Do not stop until you have collected all 27 items. Then close the garbage bag and pitch it. DO NOT LOOK IN IT! Just do it.

Next, take an empty box and go through your home, collecting 27 items to give away. Suze Orman teaches this in her book, The Courage to be Rich. This will change the energy in your home and bring about good feelings. Every time I do this I feel better and my home is becoming decluttered in the process. As soon as you finish filling the box, take it to the car. You are less tempted to rescue the items.

Rule of thumb: if you have two of any item and you only need one, get rid of the least desirable.

I also sing a wonderful song as I am doing this fun job: “Please Release Me, Let Me Go,” as sung from the stuff’s point of view!

Hot Spot Fire Drill

Here is a problem that we all have and continue to struggle with: hot spots. What is a hot spot?

A hot spot is an area, when left unattended, that will gradually take over. My favorite analogy is of a hot spot in a forest fire; if left alone, it will eventually get out of hand and burn up the whole forest. This is what happens in our homes. If left unattended, the hot spot will grow and take over the whole room, eventually making the house look awful. When you walk into a room, this is the first thing you see.

Remember, clutter attracts clutter! Do you have areas like this that continue to grow if left alone? Does the rest of the family see this as a place to put things when they do not want to put them where they belong? It is our job to nip this in the bud! Get rid of that pile, find the surface underneath, and stop this hot spot from becoming a raging clutter inferno! Watch for the Hot Spot Fire Drill reminder, then try it — it works!

Five-Minute Room Rescue

This is a reminder to spend just five minutes clearing a path in your worst room. You know this area of your home: the place you would never allow anyone to see. Just five minutes a day for the next 27 days, and you will have a place that you can be proud to take anyone!"

                                ~ from Flylady.net

Now I know that what flylady wrote was meant for adults but you can easily adapt it so that it works for you. For example- where it says your home insert your room. De-cluttering is where you get rid of the stuff you don't like or use so you have more room. Did you know that you don't have to throw out all the stuff you don't use?!  If the item is usable - you can donate it (If you ask your mom about donating your items I am sure she can help you donate your items to help other people.) The above items are just some tools to help you declutter. 

            Remember:" If its fun it will get done!" ~ flylady

                              Have fun!  

                              Flykid Jess