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Control Clutter

a woman wondering how to start decluttering if you're overwhelmed

How To Start Decluttering When You’re Overwhelmed

By Control Clutter

There are two questions potential clients often ask me during our initial free phone consultation. The first question is really more of a statement, and it goes something like this: I’m so overwhelmed by all my clutter I don’t know how to get started. The question is: how to start decluttering when you’re overwhelmed? The second question is: where do I start decluttering? Both are great questions. The second question is the easiest to answer, you start decluttering in the area that bothers you the most. That differs for each and every person. Let’s address the first question, which is…

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card game to play if you are in the mood to organize

Are You Finally in the Mood to Organize? Here’s an Easy Way to Get it Done!

By Control Clutter, How to Organize Your Life Blog

You know how it is when you are in the mood to do something, you want to go ahead and do it. Well, the same is true for organizing a space. When you’re in the mood to get something organized it’s best to take advantage of that positive energy and dive right in. Since I am a professional organizer, I am often asked what the best place is to begin organizing. My clients want to start organizing, they are motivated, but don’t know where to start or how hard it will be to get it done. Does this ever happen…

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organizing myth: a cluttered and organized space

3 Organizing Myths Debunked

By Control Clutter, How to Organize Your Life Blog

There are lots of organizing myths out there but there are three organizing myths that I always seem to be debunking with my clients so I thought I would review them with you here. All three revolve around a common theme: clutter. Myth number one: your home must be clutter free to be organized. This is absolutely not true. Do you know your home can be cluttered and organized? What did you think when you read that question? Did you think I had misspoken? Maybe you are questioning my sanity. Whatever you are thinking, it’s true. A home can be…

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Great First Impression

Create a Great First Impression with a Clutter-Free Entry

By Control Clutter

Valentine’s Day is February 14th. Are you planning to celebrate with a special someone? Get your home ready by de-cluttering and make a great impression as soon as their foot crosses the threshold of your entrance. Think about the entrance to your home. What does the front door say to someone coming over to your house? Do you want it to make someone feel as if they should turn around? Is there space for them to step inside? Does it make someone feel welcome? You may not know what other people see when they first approach your front door and…

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document filing

Strategies to Organize Documents on File

By Control Clutter

It used to be that paper piles were all that we had to conquer. Now, I’m not minimizing this at all but now paper (as in documents) lurks in piles on the floor as well as invisibly in our computers. It’s important to recognize that filing the invisible documents in your computer is just as important as filing the papers sitting in piles around your desk. The best strategy to use to conquer the tangible papers and the invisible documents is to create a single, simple filing system for yourself. First, let’s acknowledge that there are very few people who…

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working from home with children

Beneficial Distractions: What They Are & Why You Need Them

By Control Clutter

Distractions are everywhere. I believe there are two different kinds of distractions; those that are beneficial and those that are not. Beneficial distractions provide a needed break from whatever it is you’re doing. If you are the chief caregiver in your family, taking a break provides a necessary and beneficial distraction from your job as caregiver. You can take a walk, sit and read a magazine, or maybe just do nothing and enjoy the peace and quiet. This helps you recharge. You will take better care of those you love when you also take care of yourself. Informal Breaks If…

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expressions of procrastination on a chalkboard

Just For Now and Other Procrastination Tips

By Control Clutter, How to Organize Your Life Blog

There are all sorts of little expressions people use to give themselves permission to procrastinate. Most people don’t recognize that this is what they are doing when they use these words. I call these little expressions procrastination tips because if you are aware of them, they can alert you to the fact that you are delaying a task or a decision and procrastinating. Let’s review some of these procrastination tips, as I’m calling them. Just For Now Have you ever said to yourself I’ll put this here, just for now? Your intention is to come back in a little while,…

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Messy Closet

7 Steps to Control Clothes Clutter in a Small Space

By Control Clutter, How to Organize Your Life Blog

When you live in a small home and have small closets it’s very important to control clothes clutter. Typically, clutter (any type of clutter) is the result of delayed decision making. There are many reasons clothes accumulate and cause clutter no matter the size of the space. Clothes clutter happens when you forget to switch out clothes at the end of a season. It can also happen when you change your clothing size. You either become bigger or smaller and think to yourself that you might be that size someday. So, you hang on to those clothes in addition to…

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Mom and child controlling toy clutter

Make Teaching Your Child to Control Toy Clutter Fun

By Control Clutter, How to Organize Your Life Blog

When you have one or more children, they have toys. It’s a fact of life. The sooner you can teach them how to control toy clutter the better. You will spend less time reminding your child to pick up their toys and you teach them to be responsible for their belongings – a lifelong skill. When you make controlling toy clutter fun it’s a win for both you and your child. At first, when your child is very small, they have little interest in toys. Plus, the toys are manageable. You can probably fit most of them in a basket….

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get rid of clutter

How to Keep Your Home Free From Clutter

By Control Clutter, How to Organize Your Life Blog

Last week I gave you 5 tips for finally getting rid of clutter in your home. This week I am sharing with you the most important rule to follow to keep your home free from clutter.  Following this rule will help you establish boundaries for how much stuff you have in your home and will help you avoid over shopping. The most important rule to follow is: One thing in, one thing out I’m sure you’ve heard this rule before. It means remove an item for every item you bring into your home. This is a rule people rarely follow….

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