How to Deal With Too Much Stuff

This is another trick in the spirit of my Top Tips to Start Getting Organized week! I will continue to share my favorite tips and tricks in the next few posts.

Tip Number Two:

Reduce Your Belongings by Using Designated Spaces

You cannot get organized if there is too much stuff for your space. If you are a pack-rat, or live with one, no matter how organized you try to be, the stuff will just fight back. One trick I like to use is designating specific places in your house or apartment for specific kinds of things. Limit yourself (and others that live with you) to only having what can fit in the spot you designate.

For instance, you decide that a particular bookcase will be the designated place for books. Over time (maybe not that long), the bookcase will be filled. Now someone in your house or apartment wants to add something to the collection. Something else from the bookshelf will have to go first. If you stick to that system, you will avoid letting anyone fall back into having more than you have space for. This trick works for closets, bookshelves, drawers, coffee/end tables, and any other place you would be able to leave your belongings. This does not include the floor because you should be moving away from storing anything there that is not furniture or a very large item that needs to stand alone (i.e. and exercise bike, decorative plant, etc).

This trick also helps save you money. You might want something when you are in a store, but then you will have to ask yourself "Do I need this? Do I want to give up something I already own just to have it?" You might decide that the new thing in just not worth parting with your existing belongings. And remember, your possessions may bring back memories, but they do not define you. Sometimes you may need that new thing, and you will have to let go of whatever item it is that you conviced yourself you cannot do without. Let go. Set your belongings free. Let them make some new owner just as happy as they made you.

Stay tuned for the rest of this week's Top Tips!