Step 1: Recognize, own and embrace your clutter problem.

Every item of clutter has a thought or a feeling attached to it. Maybe a thought about how an item can be used in the future or a guilty feeling about a worthless item dropped into the space after a long workday. Recognizing that you have clutter and that you, and the others in your household, share the responsibility for it is an essential realization that will help you move forward to a solution.

At this point, you can begin looking at your clutter as a solution in process. Try to release your embarrassment, and keep only enough guilt to drive you toward and help you maintain your objectives.

Step 2: Develop a vision and commit to a result.

Consider the result you would like to achieve. Do you merely want to reclaim your foyer, or is there some way you would like re-purpose the room? If you are sorting through the drawers of an antique sideboard, what will you store in the drawers later?

A large decluttering project can be overwhelming and being very specific about your outcome will help you through the obstacles that will arise to discourage you. While you are out shopping or on your lunch hour, pick up some paint samples, look at your options for organizing products, or visit a furniture or decorating store. Clip pictures from your favorite magazines or draw a picture of your ideal result

Step 3: Make a time plan.

What are your time constraints? Some of my clients want quick results so they can move on with their lives. They see a big event, such as an upcoming family visit, a vacation from work, or a significant birthday as an opportunity to finally dig through their messes. If you prefer a speedy result, you should consider scheduling a professional organizer with a crew, or a group of trusty friends and family. During the sorting process, you will be inundated with decisions, a professional organizer will provide an overall plan and lead the "troops," freeing you up to concentrate on the individual pieces of clutter.

Other clients have plenty of time and prefer to work through their clutter with the help of a weekly coaching session with a professional organizer and on-going support from a "clutter partner." Clutter partners are close friends who help you declutter, often in exchange for helping them do the same.



In any case, having a set of time goals that are tied to your vision is essential.