Clutter or Mess ????

Long ago, I was a neat and orderly gal. Then, about 14 years ago I went through a depressive episode and things have never been quite the same again in the housekeeping arena.

Now, we don’t keep a filthy, disgusting house with things growing where they shouldn’t, etc.

But, what I do become blind to at times is the clutter that abounds. And, as my recent experience has shown the presence of clutter can make people see ‘mess’ and think ‘filth’.

Even after the big purge of stuff as we moved from Ohio to Maryland over the past year, I find that we still have so much stuff.

Some things got moved because I didn’t have time to go through them and they were already boxed up (e.g. clothes from newborn to size 4.) Other things didn’t seem like much until all boxed up (e.g. the boys’ toys and my kitchen stuff.) So, as we unpack here I’m trying to part with more items.

The boys have been told that some of their stuff needs to go out the door if they want new items (e.g. the Nerf guns they are eyeing at the store.) And, I keep telling hubby that he only needs so many clothes and shoes.

I know some of the ‘problem’ would be solved by buying a ton of shelving units (which I might have to do to a certain degree.) But, I don’t want to see how much stuff we can own as I know how easily it can own you.

I’ve been reading Donna Smallin’s Organizing Plain and Simple: A Ready Reference Guide with Hundreds of Solutions to Your Everyday Clutter Challenges to help me keep focus and provide ideas during this process. She has a great website out there: http://www.unclutter.com/, which my mom had been telling me about for a while. You can download and read through her past monthly newsletters on the site.

Is this whole process rocket science???

NO! But for those of us who need the nudge it is just the ticket.

I’m hoping to read her Cleaning Plain & Simple: A ready reference guide with hundreds of sparkling solutions to your everyday cleaning challenges as my aunt said it was fabulous. Or, maybe her new The One-Minute Cleaner Plain & Simple: 500 Tips for Cleaning Smarter, not Harder.

I’d love to hear your comments about decluttering the house or if you’ve done it how you maintain it. We’re finally living in a fantastic place and I’m extra motivated to keep it super nice. Getting all my guys on board might be a challenge, but I think the investment will be worth it!