1. Sort
While sorting, keep in mind that the goal is to purge and reduce the amount of stuff in your home.

2. Question
When stuck, ask the following:
* When is the last time you used this item and was it in the last year?
* Is it broken, damaged or the wrong size?
* Does it make you happy or have sentimental value?
* Do you really need this item?

3. Review
If you can’t make a decision on whether or not to get rid of an item, put it in a review box for a specified period of time. When the time is up, it should be easier to make the decision.

4. Toss & Recycle
Here are some items to toss and recycle:
* Junk mail, old magazines and newspapers
* Expired food, make-up and medicine
* Clothing that is damaged, stained or ripped beyond repair
* Boxes that are damaged or no longer useful
* Broken toys, games and electronic equipment

5. Donate
An easy way to declutter your home is to donate items you don’t use, but are still in good condition.

6. Schedule
Once you have decluttered your home, the best way to keep it that way is to set up daily and weekly maintenance sessions.

When I am so stressed, organizing and decluttering make me feel better. Or whenever I see a post or an image that reminds of organization, I am motivated to do the same in the house. I am getting some inspiration from the photo above on how to organize our pantry. I am trying out baking, only the very simple recipes at least, and I am slowly collecting various spices and ingredients. My pantry used to contain the basics such as cooking oil, vinegar and fish sauce. Now I have several dried herbs, baking powder, cooking spray, etc. I also keep in the pantry our stock of medicines, vitamins and would you believe even weightloss pills. So I really should make time to check on them to make sure that my supplies never mix up.

{via http://yvestown.tumblr.com/}

A pretty and a really organized pantry. Each group (baking ingredients, snacks, etc) has an assigned shelf. The goods are stored in clear plastic containers for easy identification. They are likewise labeled, too. What I like most in this pantry are the menu and the notepad. This will save a lot of time in making your grocery list as you can just write what you need in the pad at once and just grab it and go. The menu on the other hand are magnetic so you can simply mix and match your dishes each week. This is such a clever idea. This and stainless steel sink, and top of the line kitchen appliances equals a dream kitchen.

{http://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/free-printable-storage-labels/?page=8}

I love these clear, plastic bags. Truly saves a lot of time when you’re in a hurry to leave the house as you will see in one glance what’s inside and therefore find what you need easily. For a much easier identification, you can likewise attach little labels to each bag. This certainly got me in the mood to organize my things once again. I can only wish I can get similar bag from where I am. I see tons of bags for organizing, but I can’t find anything that fits my needs. It does pay to be organized. For instance, I was able to look into the alcohol treatment center for young adults that my aunt is asking me simply because the task is neatly written in my organizer calendar. And yes finding your stuff is easier, too. Plus you get more conscious in getting new things as another stuff means another item to organize.

{http://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/free-printable-storage-labels/?page=7}

Grab yourself a notebook and just start brain dumping all that needs to be done. Be very detailed with this list because the more steps you list out, the less you have to try and remember. It makes a huge difference to your mental clutter even if you aren’t able to get everything crossed off that list in one day.

2. Update your family calendar.
Now take your list to your calendar (and if you don’t have a central family calendar, get one quick!) Make sure your calendar is updated with appointments, school events, things to bring, etc.

For instance, if you need to bring cupcakes to school on Friday, add a note to Thursday’s square to pick them up or make them that day.

3. Menu plan for today.
You may not be menu planning for the whole week yet, but you can menu plan for TODAY. Instead of waiting until the witching hour, plan what you’ll eat that night in the morning.

Check your freezer, pull some meat out, look up a recipe and you’re all set. 10 minutes of pre-planning will again allow you to stop worrying about it for the rest of the day and free up all sorts of head space. See the pattern here?

4. Never leave a room empty-handed.
One of my best tips for staying on top of clutter is to make sure you take something with you every time you leave a room. Do it as you go…dirty dishes, laundry, toys, mail, you name it. If it belongs in a room you’ll be going to or passing, bring it with you!

5. Assign a task to your children.
Too many moms are trying to do it alone. Get your kids involved. Start today. Assign them each one task off your list to complete. I know it’s often faster for us just to do it ourselves but the training has to start somewhere.
kids chores

6. Create a donation station.
Every home needs somewhere to collect the things we no longer need. Grab yourself a big box, mark it with the words donation station and let everyone know what it’s for.

7. Add 5 things to that donation station everyday.
Have every person in your household collect 5 things today to add to that donation station. Set a timer and make a game out of it. See who can be the first to collect their 5 things. Before you know it, that donation station will be full!

8. Create an “I’m Outta Here” shelf.
Similarly you need an errand bin by your front door. I call it my “I’m Outta Here” shelf and it’s somewhere I can collect things that need to be returned to a friend, mailed, returned, etc. That way when I’m heading out I can easily remember what needs to be done and tasks don’t get backlogged.

9. Do a 10-minute tidy before bed.
Do a 10 minute tidy each night before bed to set up your next day for success. Plug in cell phones, check and update your calendar, tidy surfaces, make lunches or whatever it is that needs to be done in order to start the following day on the right foot. It makes a world of difference!

10. Check your attitude.
Finally, stop beating yourself up! Coming down hard on yourself does nothing except make you miserable. Tomorrow is another day. Celebrate every accomplishment no matter how small.

{Read more: http://organizing.yourway.net/10-things-to-do-everyday-to-stay-organized/}

{http://www.simpleorganizedliving.com/2011/03/11/22-tips-to-get-organized-for-spring/}

So is it time for another closet cleanup again. I’m guessing yes.
Read more: http://www.simpleorganizedliving.com/2011/02/07/10-things-that-shouldnt-be-in-your-closet/.

2. When debating about an item, ask yourself: which is more valuable? The item or the cleared space?

3. No one lets go of something without reaching for something else. Think of the overarching theme, of what sort of feeling in your life you want next (i.e. serenity, creativity) so you can create the space for it.

4. Ask yourself these questions: Do I love it? Is it flattering? Is it the image I want to project? If it’s a “yes” to all three, then it’s a keeper.

5. To determine if something is a personal treasure, ask yourself: is this the best reminder of that particular time in my life or person I knew? If not, then toss it.

6. Invest in matching wooden or padded hangers and quality containers.

7. When you’re 3/4 of the way through clearing your closet, you may begin to get overwhelmed by the space (What am I going to do without my stuff?) Remind yourself that you are who you are, not what you own. Get through the panic, and you’ll experience calm and relief.

8. Keep in mind a Zen parable that tells of a traveler on a road who came up on a river with a washed out bridge. So he built himself a raft which carried him safely to the other side. “This is a good raft” he thought, “If I come to another river, I can use it.” So he carried it on his back with him for the rest of his life. How long do we hold onto something that’s no longer useful?

9. Practice SHED. Separate the treasures, Heave the trash, Embrace your identity and connect to who you are without your stuff, and Drive forward.

10. Decide who will get the cast-offs, i.e., a favorite charity or homeless shelter.

Source: http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/cleaning/10-tips-for-a-closet-cleanse-house-beautiful-073669.

1. Get it all out
2. Display the things you LOVE
3. Donate or trash anything you don’t use
4. Take pictures
5. Use large tubs and labels

{Read more: http://www.simpleorganizedliving.com/2010/11/26/holiday-decor-i-just-couldnt-resist/}

Anyway, if you are struggling with your post-holiday clutter, these tips from MinimalistAtHome may be of help.

1. Put the holiday decorations away. If you haven’t done this already, it’s time to put them away. You’ll be amazed how much larger your living space feels with the decorations gone.

2. Remove all clutter from the main living areas. Everything you keep eventually needs to find a permanent home. For now, just start with taking it to the room it needs to go to.

3. Be objective about all new gifts. Don’t feel obligated to keep something just because it’s new or that someone gave it to you. Only keep things that you’re really going to use or that hold true meaning to you.

4. Evaluate your current possessions. Now is a good time to see if there’s anything you currently have that is no longer a priority. A great general rule for deciding what to keep is 1-in-1-out. It’s definitely time to go back through the toys around here.

5. Don’t stop until everything has a permanent home. Piles and baskets shoved in a corner of the room are too easy to forget. Set some time aside and make the tough choices and then put things away for good.

6. Do some early spring cleaning.