Declutter For The School Year 2011-1012: Part 2

There is nothing more frustrating then clutter. As the new school year begins you and your children can get started on organizing your lives. Clutter can cause tardiness, anger, frustration, and depression. Why not get on a program to declutter you and your family's life by taking tips from the experts. Below are 6-10 tips from an article in the January 2011 issue of Better Homes and Gardens, submitted by Berit Thorkelson. 

6. Create a repair center for clothes that need mending, toys that need batteries, things that need gluing.  That way, unusable items aren't in general circulation, and you know where to look when you have time to tackle a project. Julie Morgenstern

7. Relegating a sentimental item you no longer have use for to a box in the closet, basement, or attic does nothing to honor it.  Instead, take a photo of the item and put it in a scrapbook or load it on your digital picture frame.  Then donate the item.  It's both space saving and respectful.  Scott Roewer, professional organizer

8. Each spring and fall, do CPR on your closet:  Categorize, Purge, and Rearrange.  Carefully consider each item.  If it doesn't make you feel wonderful or look fabulous, it's a no.  Put it in the "to donate" box, and put that box in your car right away.  Debbie Lillard, author of Absolutely Organized

9. A tighter focus for your to-do list clears mental clutter.  Include only your three most important tasks, and don't let less important busywork distract you.  If you complete everything on you list, great.  If not, at least you'll know you sent time on the highest-priority task.  Meredith Schwartz, penelopeloveslists.com

10. I spend a few minutes every night before bed restoring order to my purse.  I remove all trash, return floating change to my wallet, and replenish tissues and business cards.  It makes me feel ready to start the day.  Claire Kurtz, the wellorganizedwoman.com