Some tasks you can do in order to declutter in 2010 are simple and other are much more complicated. Even when we understand these in principle, it can be difficult to put them into practise.
Photo by: Andrew Larsen
1. Drop a commitment
A cluttered schedule clutters up your life and your home. Give yourself permission to do less in 2010. Pick something that you usually do because you feel you should and not because it’s something you actually enjoy doing, and stop doing it. This could be anything from coaching little league to sitting on a committee to taking a spinning class. While these things are important, if they are not enriching your life right now you should step back.
2. Give away a gift you received but do not like or use
Sometimes we keep too many items out of a sense of obligation or guilt. Just because something was given to you as a gift doesn’t mean you need to keep it around forever.
3. Admit you made a mistake and move on
Each of us has had regrets about a purchase. There’s no point in keeping the item around as a reminder of your moment of weakness. Try to avoid making the same mistake again in the future, rather than dwelling on the fact that you made it in the past. Sell or give away the item and then move forward.
4. Learn to say no
No more things on your schedule, and no more unneeded items in your home. Don’t accept another commitment you don’t want. Don’t buy another item just because it’s on sale. Learning to say no to things you don’t want or need in your life can be difficult, but is an essential part of decluttering both physically and mentally.
5. Don’t wait for conditions to be “prefect”
Make a change today. There will never be a “perfect” time to reduce your clutter. The closest we can get to the “perfect” time is now. By making a step forward now you increase your chances of success by an incredible amount.
Happy New Year, folks! May your hopes and dreams for 2010 come true!
This post is part two of a two-part series on Decluttering in the New Year.
Part one: 5 Easy Ways to Declutter in the New Year
Part two: 5 Hard Ways to Declutter in the New Year
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My calendar is pretty full but I like everything on it. I still feel I should do less though. I guess that’s what makes these things hard ways right?
Whoa it looks different around here now.
Yes, it does look different! I’m trying a new look for the blog. Like it?
Found this blog from your comment on squawkfox. I have recently made the commitment to get organized and your blog is gonna help me get there.
My hard way to get organized this year: returning items I bought on an impulse and don’t need. My dear husband is helping me with this one!
Returning impulse buys is a fabulous idea! It not only gets rid of the clutter, it puts that money back into your pocket! Win-win!
I returned two x-mas gifts that were duplicates!!