Are there things that are cluttering up your home that you want to get rid of but you’re afraid you may need them in the future?

The most common two questions I get as a professional organizer are:

“How do I figure out what to get rid of?”

“How will I know for sure I won’t need that item again?”

In this article I will reveal the secret: knowing what items to get rid of, what items to keep, and where to begin.

What to Get Rid Of: Anything that is not meaningful or useful to you should be going out of your home. How do you know you won’t need that item again? You don’t! The only thing you know for sure is that you don’t need it right now. What you need to believe is this: you will always have the resources to get it again, just like the first time you got it. Believe in the marketplace. It is just as eager as you are to exchange things. If you do need that item in the future, you can easily find another one on Craigslist, eBay, or one of the other online free markets across the US.

Let’s just say you sell an unused bookcase on Craigslist for $40 and that one year later you decide you need a bookcase. You will be able to find one within a week or two. Usually you can find one that even better suits your needs. In addition, you have had $40 in your pocket for the past year.

What to Keep: Meaningful or useful items should be kept. If you are someone who loves memorabilia and cannot let it go, try this easy three-step process.

1. Pull out the top 10 items that mean the most to you and that you truly value.

2. Display your special memories. Frame a meaningful t-shirt, hang it on your wall, or design a shadow box of special items such as jewelry, news clippings, etc.

3. For each member of your family, get a single large bin or box (less than 15 gallon). Have each person pick out favorite items to fill the bin. Donate or sell the remaining items.

Where to Get Started: Make a list of areas that you want organized. Choose the area you use the most. In one area:

Start by removing stuff that is definitely recycling or garbage. You will, most likely, get distracted but only focus on garbage; don’t touch anything else. Here is a tip for focusing: play your favorite song and have all garbage removed by the time the song ends.

Next, set out three large bins. Set out one bin for items to be donated, one for items to be sold, and one for items that belong in a different area. Get more bins if necessary. After sorting, move the bins out of the area.

After all items have been sorted you can begin organizing. Organize only the items you are keeping. Re-evaluate the area. What specific purpose should it serve? How can you make the most of the space? Is there a way to use the walls to display items and keep them off the floor? Let the answers to these questions direct the organizational process.

If you need help making the most of your space, or if you get stuck on one of these steps, think about hiring a professional organizer. A qualified organizer can be found in your area by checking with the National Association of Professional Organizers (napo.net).

Heidi DeCoux is publisher of Life Made Simple e-Magazine, a professional organizer and creator of the Fast-Filing Method home office filing system. Heidi energizes her readers’ by simplifying their homes … schedules. For more info, free tips, and to receive her FREE Report: The Fast … Easy Way to Get Organized and Stay Organized Forever, visit ClearSimpleLiving.com

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