| As a professional organizer I am always helping | | | | mind as you are organizing clutter. The more |
| women in their homes by organizing clutter. | | | | stuff we have the more time it takes to maintain |
| Sometimes we hang on to our clutter and then | | | | it. When you let go of clutter you will have more |
| we feel guilty and we feel bad that we hold on | | | | free time to enjoy being with family and friends. |
| and then that we feel guilty. Let’s start | | | | A classic reason I hear as a professional organizer |
| organizing clutter by getting rid of it. | | | | for holding on to things that women don’t |
| Do you say: but I can’t get rid of it because | | | | want to keep and that clutters their homes and |
| it is wasteful to throw things away? Which is | | | | lives is: “but it was a gift”. The person |
| better to hold on to it and continue to feel guilty | | | | who gave it to you will never know you |
| and have less space and not like what is around | | | | didn’t keep it. Most people give a gift they |
| us or to let go? Here are a couple of ideas on | | | | think you will like but they also give it without |
| how to let go: | | | | strings. Once it is yours it is your decision whether |
| 1. Sell your guilt. Do this by having a yard sell. | | | | or not to keep it. If you truly don’t love it |
| Even better get your neighbors involved and have | | | | and won’t use it there are other things you |
| a block/neighborhood yard sell. If you do have a | | | | can do with the gift to honor it and the giver. |
| yard sell all of the things that are not sold you can | | | | ·Re-gift it; just make sure you don’t give it |
| give to charity. | | | | back to the person who gave it to you. Once I |
| 2. Donate your unused, unwanted, items to a | | | | was given a book with an inscription in it. I gave it |
| charity. Just think of all the people who will benefit | | | | back to the person thinking she probably would |
| from your generosity. It makes it easier to get | | | | want the book back from her friends. She |
| rid of clutter in your home if you are thinking of | | | | thanked me and gave me a different book with |
| all the people you will be helping by donating your | | | | the same title—only that one was also |
| items. Some charities come right to your home | | | | personalized to her. I didn’t say anything the |
| to pick up items making it really easy for you to | | | | second time. |
| donate. Some organizations that welcome | | | | ·Donate it to a charity. |
| donations are: women’s shelters, homeless | | | | ·Sell it on line or at a yard sell |
| shelters, churches, preschools, day cares and | | | | ·Throw it away (if it is so tacky you know no |
| animal shelters. | | | | one would want it). |
| Have you ever said: but I spent money on it? | | | | ·Exchange it for something you would like and |
| Do you feel guilty because you bought an item | | | | could use. |
| and you feel if you get rid of it as you are | | | | When we are organizing clutter it helps to keep |
| organizing clutter that you just wasted your | | | | our goals in mind, get rid of the guilt we feel by |
| money? Let me tell you, just keeping it around | | | | having other options of what to do with our |
| cluttering your home and making you feel guilty | | | | possessions. By getting rid of clutter we are more |
| for buying it is not going to bring your money | | | | peaceful, happy and enjoy having more time for |
| back. It will just make your feel bad and add | | | | ourselves. |
| clutter to your space. | | | | Marilyn's Bio: |
| Keep in mind your goal of organizing clutter as | | | | Marilyn is a professional organizer who works with |
| you decide if you can or cannot part with an item. | | | | women and seniors in clearing clutter and providing |
| Do you feel held back with all of your stuff | | | | organizing tips. Clearing clutter helps those she |
| because you have to spend so much time taking | | | | works with to have less stress in their lives and |
| care of it? Do you wish you had more time to do | | | | feel more joy in living. |
| fun things with family and friends? Keep this in | | | | |