Getting rid of clutter - encouragement, please! We just have way too much stuff in our house; trying to get rid of my clutter, it overwhelms me. It seems everything I need. whatever I didn't need, already is out. When I clean up, I take an item, look at it, don't know where to put it, so I just put it back. That is crazy. Anyone else here having the same problem? I realise it is probably lack of organization, but it totally frustrating.

Sunny, I have the exact same problem! I do mosaics so I am always picking up things to mosaic, or dishes to cut up. To anyone else - including my husband - it as junk but I see what it can become. I have many hobbies and each one of them require their own "space". Every nook and cranny is filled to the brim and now that all the nooks and crannys are over flowing it looks terrible. I get so discouraged when I clean because everything is so cluttered. It has bothered my husband for awhile now but lately it is really bothering me. It has gotten to the point that I don't even know where to begin.
Glenda

You have to be brutal. If you don't use it, need it, get rid of it. If it is worn out, broken, needs mending, get rid of it. A thing for every place, and a place for every thing! Get it out. Put it back.

Many go by the 2-year rule. If you have not used it or worn it in 2 years, then get rid of it.

Oh, can I ever relate to this problem. Besides an interest in mosaics, I've done quilting and now do decoupage, besides the random projects that just sound like fun. Because I am now of an age that means I will not ever be able to do it all I am ridding myself of the things I am not that interested in (random projects) and mosaics. Will take all my broken china to our towns swap shop along with pieces of furniture I was going to "do something with". I don't know what kind of space you have but shelving and storage containers helps control a lot of stuff. If such spaces are already filled then it is time to purge. My DH who is an artist (painting sculpture) also makes model airplanes, repairs clocks, does woodworking. We both love books and I collect china. My advice is to take one room, make that clutter free, then move on. If you have attic/cellar/garage/or other storage space, try to confine at least the raw materials of your projects to those areas. Its difficult for those of us who see the potential in many things and who value creativity more than order.

I am a cluttered person also. It drives DH wild. I really try to not make clutter but i cannot help it!!

You are talking my language here . I continuously holler that I'm tired of living in such clutter but I DO contribute to it .

We're currently caring for a DGD who is 13 going on 20 and lived with her other GM for the past 7 yrs with little or no guidance. I'm caring for DH who has a progressive disease and needs attention and I'm trying to hold down 4 PT jobs.

I always say that if someone else threw out most of my "stuff", I'd probably never even know what is gone...but if I have to throw it away, I just KNOW I'm going to need it some day.

Maybe we should have a swap here....anyone need a bunch of "crystal lite" like containers

SORRY, I forgot the purpose of this post was to help get RID of clutter, not just exchange it for other clutter
Rita

I can name that tune in one note! I know this song REALLY well.

I agree somewhat with the poster who suggested being brutal. Sometimes though, being brutal with myself can backfire and I get defensive with myself. I start rationalizing why I SHOULD keep something in the face of the demand that it MUST GO.

Seriously, different mind tricks work for me on different days. Start a list on your computer of ideas that might seem to work for you at some point. When you're starting to feel stuck, look at your list for inspiration.

Some of the thoughts that work for me --

This isn't MY house or MY stuff. I'm decluttering for a much loved friend in the hospital. She'll need a clean orderly place when she comes home. I need to identify the things that will enrich and enhance her life and get rid of the stuff that will be in her way and make her life harder.

OR - this item may still be "good" but it has served it's usefulness to me. It's time for it to go be useful elsewhere.

OR - do I love this item? Does it enhance my life in some way? Does it make my life easier? Make my surroundings prettier?

OR - if I actually had a free day next week, would I sit down and complete this craft project? Use these containers for organizing? Mend those pants? Am I keeping this item for who I think I'd LIKE to be (the person who does that stuff) or for the person that I AM (the one who really doesn't do that stuff that often).

AND - touch it ONCE. If I pick up an item, I have to deal with it THEN. Putting it down to deal with later, find a new home later, etc. just doesn't work for me. Later never comes.

Make your own list.

You have to remember that you can only keep enough stuff for your space. If your space has to much stuff you need to keep the things that you really, really need. Sometimes it helps to have a friend help that doesn't have an attachment to the stuff to help.

Remember you can't take it with you and someone will have to get rid of it later on.

I would start in one room, or corner and go through. Things that are broken don't even think about just toss. Projects (crafts) that you started working on last year will probably never get done so just toss them. Clothes that you haven't worn, or are saving to lose weight, etc. just get rid of.

It is so much easier to clean an organized house.

I am not much of a saver but I had the hardest time getting rid of Christmas decorations. I get so overwhelmed at Christmas because I have so much stuff, that this year I got rid of stuff, but then still had to many crates and got rid of more stuff, etc. until I had a managable size.

When I start getting frustrated about the clutter, I clean my bedroom closet. From there I can keep some momentum going. This sounds so stupid, but since I moved from a large house to a smaller one, I just couldn't get it through my head that I have to get rid of stuff to make it fit; not just try to cram it all together. I only have so much space....
Sometimes I tell myself that it's all just stuff when you boil it down and then I feel like I'm too materialistic to care that much about stuff instead of creating a relaxing, clean environment for myself and my husband. I'm more important than the stuff!I tell myself to be brutal when I'm clearing out, and it works quite well when I'm on a roll. I've thought about asking a very organized friend of mine to help me. That may help speed up the process.
Good luck, everyone!

I have found in dealing with clutter or cleaning that I either

a -- either take an area or a room and work on only that and that is my focus -- not the rest of the house, garage or basement.

b -- set a time limit for myself -- I will only work on this for an hour and after that I will stop.

Both methods of "limits" seem to work for me and does not make a project seem daunting.

Last year we sold ou business and had an auction of fixtures, etc. It was my chance to clean basement and garage and get rid of stuff that needed getting rid of but did not have a way to get rid of them (some DH brought home because "we might use" and others I've put in garage and basement because I wanted it "out of the house and I'll have a garage sale someday")

I also cleaned cabinets, drawers and everything I could think of to go through. I also "edited" each room and got rid of some furniture and some things that adorned tabletops and mantles.

I still have "clutter" and didn't get rid of eveyrthing that I should but I reasoned if I hadn't used it for a while, then it should go and if I found I needed it later, then I could buy another!

I've not missed ANYTHING that I got rid of and have gotten more picky about what I bring INTO the house!

But you do have to be brutal.

Martha

Tackle a room at a time. Don't go on to another room until you finish the one you are working on. Set out boxes, bags, or whatever for TRASH, DONATE and SELL (if you want to have a garage sale).

When you are cleaning and pick something up do the same thing - put it in one of those boxes.

Good luck!

Thank you for the inputs, everyone, thank you for being supportive. You are an amazing community here, and I am glad I came across these boards. All good ideas.
This Mother's day weekend was pretty much productive. Besides I had commpany over this weekend, I managed to get rid of a lot of stuff, some even new clothes, shoes, purses, books, decorative items, picture frames which were sitting here for a couple of years. Off went china set, glasses, and much more to go yet. At first I put it aside in the laundry baskets, I thought I would hava a garage sale, but then I decided just load everything in to my car and take to our resale shop, could't stand those stuffed baskets in my house.
I feel much better, I just closed my eyes and either tossed an item to garbage or recycling, or put to the GO basket. I didn't let myself think if I needed it. Tonorrow I get rid of more stuff.

I have the same problem. I have three walk-in closets full of clothes, shoes and handbags. I LOVE my stuff, but I need to pare it DOWN.

I am always buying. I love to shop and I can't seem to get to de-cluttering. When I walk into my closet, I know I need to purge, but I get so over-whelmed, I just turn around and walk out. It's easier to be in denial.

My husband has suggested a new take on over-coming your clutter. It will take a little longer than tackling one room at a time but he calls it the "5-item rule"

When you go into a room, he suggests looking at 5 items in the room and either

a) putting it in it's proper place
b) throwing it away
c) donating, e-baying, etc.

His idea is to do this every day and before you know it, the room will be clean!

But, I’m also a procrastinator too, so I haven’t done it yet...

Me2.
I do find it easier to start in the closet also.
I bought those wire cubes that snap together and build them 2 high and put in the bottom of my closet for the excess clothing that had gotten out of hand (too many tshirts).
I've found that making small attacks works better for me.. for example, vow that you're going to find 5 (or 10) things to donate.
A few days or a week later do it again. As space starts clearing out, and you don't miss the items (as you've probably already forgotten what they were) it gets easier.
One dilemma I have: I've received 2 fur coats over time from relatives who've died. What can you do with seal skin coats? I'll never wear em but they're sentimental. One was grandmas and she used to sit next to me on the way to church in it. I've never put them in cold storage but they've held up.. i live in a mild climate. On the other hand, I hate having them take up my closet space.

I've found it helpful to buy the big ziplock lunchbags (with the actual pull thing as a plastic zipper) and use them to organize things.
Ipod parts and attachments in one, loose misc. nuts, screws, fasteners etc in another. You can write right on it with a felt pen.

It's spring! Yard sale!

Step one - Lots of good tips above to help you decide what needs to go. Whatever you decide to keep, you must have a designated storage space for it. Make sure the storage is attractive, or else you'll hate it anyway. And do not let your hobby grow beyond your previously designated storage space! Stop shopping for your hobby till you've actually completed projects for your hobby.

Step two - you'll have gotten things out of the house, cleaned them up, and organized them for the yard sale.
Whatever happens, DO NOT bring them back into the house. You'll get some yard sale people who will never go to the resale place.

Step three - Whatever doesn't sell, if it's worthy, NOW take it to your resale place or try ebaying some things.

Step four - donate! towels, sheets, tablecloths, etc go to pet shelter; some of your local charitable organizations will send a truck to you to pick up large items like furniture, exercise equipment; a woman's shelter might accept your electronics, cell phones, clothing items, purses, and children's items. I wonder if they might even accept complete craft kits, old sewing machines, exra yarn?

Step five - Trash it! If it needs repair, won't sell, or isn't donatable, trash it. I like that 2 year rule. You bought that kit with good intentions, but now it's storage is causing more grief than it's worth, and nobody wants it? Trash it!

Step six - there is no step six. Refer to step five.

That open space that you create will look and feel so good!

My biggest solution to clutter is to move. Yes, move. I say that joking, but it really is true for me. Every time my DH gets transferred, there goes all the junk we've collected. Closets and garages get emptied, stuff that I might need "someday" and really never did, gone. Clutter removed to sell the house. I can only imagine all the stuff I would have if we didn't move.

Room by room works for me. Seems like to much of somethings and not enough of others. I have quite a few spreads/comforters. When I change my colors in a room end up with them along with curtains. I hardley ever put the spread or the comforters back or use the curtains.

I've read thru the posts. Starting my de-junking today. Thanks, everyone for the ideas.

You guys are singing to the chorus!!

I collect and get cluttered. I do the Flylady thing and do her de-cluttering thing for 15 minutes at at time and that way it isn't overwhelming. I even use a timer so I know I can stop at 15 minutes if I want to or I keep on if all is going well. I get rid of it if I don't remember the last time I used it and had forgotten about it. I take magazines several times a year to the give away shelf at our library. I sort out the kids clothes several times a year, some for hand me downs, some for good will, some for trash. When we donate to charity, like Flylady, we call it blessing someone else with what we don't need. The kids do well with this concept.

Funny event two weeks ago..I returned home one night to find one of my three closet clothing racks (wire) had ripped itself out of the wall and hurled all the clothing on to the floor. It is a 4' length of shelving and I hung all my blouses on it. It was over full. I was horrified at the mess and it took me two days to work up the courage to go through all my closet and get rid of what I don't want/use. It took about an hour to remove everything. 4 large black trash bags went to good will, I got an itemized receipt for taxes and all my clothing fits easily on the remaining two racks (we haven't gotten around to replacing the broken one, debating an entire new closet system). The best part about it is the feeling of liberation everytime I walk into my closet, actually see what I have in it and it is a no brainer to make a selection. I have half the clothing I had before this happened and I am thrilled with the results!! I didn't REALLY need 16 handbags! I am now on the schedule with the kids when it come to culling out the clothes! DH does this himself, without reminders.

You can't organize clutter. It is painful to get rid of some stuff but the result is feeling less burdened when I am home.

Try the 15 minutes at a time process. You will be surprised..I certainly was.