If you take a minute and stand in the middle of your den or living area you can get a good feel for the room. You want to imagine wonderful things, but instead your thoughts are interrupted by the alarmingly growing amounts of clutter that seem to be piling up rather quickly. On the left side of the room you have a pile of books. Some you've read, some you're reading, and some you just do not know how old they are or where they came from. You may have put them on your coffee table with the other pile of magazines. You probably put them there so you would have something for your guests to look at. But now, it just looks like the place to put all your magazines because you do not know what else to do with them.
Now glance to your right and all you can see are your children's toys scattered around all over the place. Maybe there is even an empty pizza box from movie night. There are probably candy wrappers on the tables and empty cups and most likely some random items of clothing on the floor somewhere in there too. Now you look for a place to sit down all the stuff and realize there are only 2 available places to sit because the couch is covered with a pile of unfolded laundry.
You may be wondering where to start. Set the house on fire? Hold your head in you hands and cry? I know you wish you could be like Marry Poppins and snap your fingers and it would all be cleaned and organized for you, but, sadly there is no easy way out of this one. It's like we tell our kids … you made the mess, now you have to clean it up.
It may seem like a daunting task, but really it is not that tough of a job. First things first. Stay focused. If at all possible, send the kids to a friend's house or to their room to play so you can work in peace and have no distractions or interruptions.
Next, make a list of all the clutter that is visible to you and prioritize them from most important to least. Where is the majority of the clutter? Where is the least amount? Before you know it you will have much of it cleared. Just put your mind to it and stay on task.
After you're finished with your list, take everything out. Place the items that you no longer desire to keep into large bags or bins for sale, donation, or trash. Then gather all of your cleaning materials. Once the area is clear of clutter, sweep and or vacuum the floor, dust the cabinets or shelving and clean any glass or mirrors.
Clearing the clutter from your home may be a tough practice, but it's a good one. Once you've experienced the wonderful results of an organized, clean and tidy home, you will feel better about spending time in that room, your home and with yourself. Enjoy it because cleaning up the clutter was a job well done!