One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to get organized! I mean who couldn’t use a little more organization in their life. A major hurdle when it comes to organization is clutter. From mail piles to your child’s schoolwork to that package that you’ve been meaning to take to the post office, it’s really easy for the clutter to take over your home and your life.

But it doesn’t have to. Follow these five simple steps to get rid of clutter and organize your home. Before you know it,you’ll be on your way to reducing stress from your life at home!

Five Steps to Get Rid of Clutter and Organize Your Home

Ask yourself what you want out of the room or area you’re going to organize. What are your goals for the room? Dig a little deeper into how you want benefit from organizing. This will help you get motivated and work towards that final goal.

For example, if you want to organize paperwork in your home office, the question is “why do I want to organize this space?”

The answer could be “I don’t ever want to have a late bill again” or “I want to find any document in less than two minutes.”

2. PILE

Step two is where you pile “like” items together. We are back in your home office and it’s time to make piles. Start with your file drawer or grab that pile that has been sitting on top of your desk.

Put each piece of paper in “like” files. For example, all the insurance paperwork will go together. All of your 401K paperwork goes in another. All medical expenses from the present year in another.

3. ANALYZE

Now that we have our piles, it’s time to go through them and break them down even more. This time you will make two pies: “treasure” and “trash.” You will have to be cutthroat as there is no in between pile! You are either keeping it or trashing it.

4. CASH-IN

This is where you will go through the “trash” pile and break it down once more. Deciding what can be donated, what can be sold, and what’s going in the trash.

5. TIDY UP!

Once you have all of the “trash” out of the area, organize what is left! Tidy up and put it back in order. When you’re organizing, always keep like items together whether on a shelf, in drawers or in any other type of storage you’re using. Have items you use more frequently be more accessible and within reach, too.

Members to ListPlanIt will find the lists they need in Holidays & Occasions to plan for an extraordinary holiday season.  Not yet a member?  Join today and get organized for planning the new year.  And make the most of 2016 with the 100 Days of a New Year 2016 eBook.  Available now!