Comments on: Clutter 101: The 3 Golden Rules For A Decluttered Life

By: Tylesha Juliano

Tylesha Juliano — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:02:15 +0000

I love the simplicity of this list! Too often we try to over-complicate things, but there is no need. Your last tip is a big challenge for our family, especially when you are running from one activity to another, but I think we are going to have a little thirty day challenge to help set this as a new habit.

By: Debra

Debra — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:23:36 +0000

Some oldies but goldies. Doing a little each day goes a long way towards keeping your house organized, but there is a tiny urge inside ourselves every now and then to leave it for later. Always resist that urge as it will only cause you more pain later!

By: Mick

Mick — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:27:49 +0000

Tim, having children myself I agree about creating a clear and tidy space. I only wish they wouldn’t follow behind me though! Keeping areas tidy does lift the mood and clearly sends a positive message.

By: Tim Wilson

Tim Wilson — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:24:55 +0000

Simple but effective tips here, James. I think it's helpful to remember why decluttering is worth doing. For me, it boils down to three things:

The feeling it gives me to see a clean and clear space (particularly as a dad)
The energy it seems to free up to do other, more creative things
The time it saves me not having to look for things that are out of place

Decluttering is easier said than done of course, but reminding myself of the above points always gives me the motivation to stay on top of things.

By: James

James — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:16:44 +0000

Thanks for the comment Caitlin. Yeah, you should never give up particularly because the benefits at the end are really worth it. There are no maybes, or buts about d-cluttering your life, so that’s always a positive thing you can take out of it. If you do it, you’ll feel good about it. Simple as that.

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:06:04 +0000

One of my golden rules of decluttering is to never give up. The main reason it took me so long to even start to try and get organized was because I was once so far gone it seemed hopeless. When you’re still at the stage I was in, trying to do a little each day amounts to bailing out the Titanic with a coffee cup. I’d spend ten hours on a Saturday trying to put everything in one room in its place, trying to organize everything and throw out junk. I’d work and work and feel pretty good, but if I showed someone the “before” and “after” shots of the room, they’d hardly be able to see a difference because it still looked just as messy, and I’d get really discouraged. I know from experience that sometimes the simple act of refusing to be beaten by something like clutter can give you the strength and drive to conquer it once and for all.

By: Carole

Carole — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:04:49 +0000

You are right on! My whole house cleaning system is based on the same basic principle – do a little bit every day, consistently – and your house will stay clean. People really underestimate the power of taking small, regular action.

By: Otto

Otto — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:01:36 +0000

I applied your suggestions today (will make it a habit), and cleaned up my cubicle. Put books on the shelf, filed papers away… There is more to do but as you say, a little bit at a time. As for the coat hanging thing, I really need to do that as soon as I get home, as that is the source of much grief!