I am by no means a neat freak, but there are few things that freak me out as badly as clutter. Which is a bad thing, because as a busy mom I really don’t have time to stay on top of all the things that somehow don’t stop accumulating. When there’s too much clutter I get distracted, frustrated, angry, and depressed. The good news is that I can change all that with just a little bit of work. Did I make that sound too easy? Trust me- I know that the idea of clearing out the clutter is enough to cause its own anxiety, and the job is not always an easy one. But I’ve put together a list of tips that break down decluttering to make it easier to do.

1. Visualize. Picture a clutter free space and tell yourself that you can make it happen.
2. Do it bit by bit. If you’re dealing with a lot of clutter, you’ll have a lot of work on your hands, but that doesn’t have to overwhelm you. Break down the job and do a little bit at a time to make it more manageable. Eventually you’ll get it all done, even if you do just one drawer a day.
3. Be realistic. Be honest with yourself about what you really use, what you’ll never use again, what really doesn’t fit anymore, etc. Your piece of mind is more important than your stuff.
4. Get rid of what you don’t need. We all know we’re supposed to do this, but let’s be honest: we get attached to our stuff. Donating some of your old things may make it easier to part with them; it might help to know that someone else will get good use out of your things. If you really can’t part with something, but you also really never use it, store it away in a bin or box so it’s out of the way.
5. Listen to music. Or a podcast, or anything that makes the time more enjoyable for you and makes you forget it’s a chore.
6. Promise yourself a gift when you finish. Hey, we all need some motivation!
7. Take pics. Don’t have the heart to throw out your kids’ artwork? I totally get it! Photograph them and create a digital gallery, then throw out the original.
8. Ask for help. If you don’t think you can be objective about what you need to keep, ask a friend to work with you.
9. Get the family involved. All members of a household are responsible in some way for the clutter that accumulates. Delegate the work and make it an ongoing project.
10. Make some money. Collect the things you no longer use or need and sell them. Hold a yard sale, list them ebay, or take them to a consignment shop.

Once you get rid of the clutter you’ll see how much happier you are and how much better you’ll function. Oh, you’ll never be excited for housekeeping chores, but my tips will make it way easier for you to clean out the clutter. Go get started!