• As a consumer oriented society we 'want' more stuff than we actually 'need'. Simply put, people amass and keep things that they're not fond of or have little genuine use for. Yes it is a waste of money you're going wish you had back when you retire. Imagine all that compound interest you could have had if you stopped buying things you don't need or worse - two of everything. Now you could have clothes that you never wear but are keeping because they were expensive. It may be an out of style or decrepit bit of furniture that you're keeping because it belonged to a loved one. If it doesn't serve you any longer, if you don't like it, get rid of it. Your home should not be a catch all for no logical reason.

• Stop holding onto things because you believe it just might, maybe, perhaps be useful to somebody some day. If YOU can't use it get rid of it. Let somebody out there REALLY, DEFINITELY, ABSOLUTELY use it NOW. There's no reason whatever for not donating. There are more places than you can possibly imagine to donate your stuff to. When in doubt call me. I'll help you sort it out and will take the smaller items away and donate it for you. I do it every single day as part of my organizational sessions: Group homes, Children's Aid, The Salvation Army, Amity Goodwill, churches, schools, libraries etc. etc. If it's useless then it's junk. Part with junk. When in doubt throw it out. And donate, donate, donate. If you don't, who will? Andiamo!

• And for heaven's sake stop hanging onto stuff that isn't even yours. Reassert yourself. Don't let anyone take advantage of your good nature. Serve notice! Tell that neighbor or child to pick it up within a specified time or it gets "gone" to charity or the dump! If they ignore you then follow through and donate it to someone who can use it. Feel good about being proactive!

• If your adult kids really need a storage place then offer to find them a self storage facility. More services are coming along that bring containers to you and let you fill it up. Then they take it all away and store it for you. Check out some. (I'll be listing some soon) Prices vary but are not unreasonable. If they really want it safe in your home then charge them RENT for it. See how fast it gets gone. If they don't like that then too bad, tough noogies. Whose house is it anyway?!

• Start setting goals:
  When getting rid of clutter, have a goal in mind. Focus on a goal of reducing or eliminating a certain amount by a certain time.

• BUT MOST OF ALL - Adhere to the number one rule of decluttering: "Too much is too much."
  When something comes in - something goes out. Don't just add and add and wonder where all your precious living space has vanished to?

Relax - it's all doable. If you just can't get to it or it's painful to do, then hire someone to act as that important guide to get you through the process - a Professional Organizer to act as a catalyst to focus your energies and get it done. Call me. I CAN HELP.

Remember my consultations are free to help you get a handle on how much time a project may take as well as costs. Check your organizer out. Get references if you wish. Check out his testimonial, organizations, history. Not all Organizers are alike. Many specialize. My specialty is TLC and careful one on one service to bring you back space. I take an active hand in getting it done. I never judge. Be confident. Call, email me with your questions or concerns. Don't worry if your other half is not on board just yet. We'll do your areas first.

It's not just the item but the history we have with it. We imbue a world of emotion - time and place and life events - children when they were young, a youthful marriage, a parent when still with us - into the things we own. The actual intrinsic value is small - the emotional investment is large. Even the most insignificant object can elicit powerful reactions and letting go can be unexpectedly difficult. Emotions creep up. A move later in life, for example, is not just a move but typically a life phase shift sometimes to one of lesser independance and relying on others. Letting go of stuff may bring to the surface the facing of this reality and letting go having more impact. Feel where those emotional land mines are and you will be able to overcome letting go and have perspective on the stuff you own. "Excerpt from The Domestic Archaeologist by Stephen ilott".

• There are three definitions to help you decide on the value of your stuff.

• "Utilitarian Value" - the most common one - is one to consider first. If you have no use for it and somebody else can then give it away. Let somebody else put new energy in your old stuff. No longer keep things IN CASE somebody might need it some day. Erase the nonsense of saying the moment you give it away you'll need it. So what. Does that justify years of being weighed down. Delete that self defeating thought NOW. Liberate yourself. What you want is the clear space now. That's what you gain right away. If you are selling it at a yard sale then consider its usefulness.

• "Market Value". This is what someone is willing to pay for the item. Do not mistake this with appraised value. An insurance appraiser may set the replacement value as much higher. But it's only worth what you can get for it.

• "Sentimental Value" - the most intangible. This is a reason to keep some items that are imbued with memories of people, a certain time or place. Often the item isn't the memory. You can take a photo of many items and let them go. Some items are sentimentally irreplaceable. In this case there's no question you may keep them. An organizer will never tell you to part with something that is so much a part of your make-up or history. Just know nobody will pay you for sentimental value unless it's of sentimental value to them too.