Trash Bag Tango

I can always count on organizing guru Peter Walsh for great blog posting inspiration! One of his "Clutter Crew" video clips on Oprah.com focuses on doing a little bit every day around your house to declutter, almost painlessly!

He quotes his grandmother using the old expression "The only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time!" Often we are overwhelmed with the clutter around us. We don't know where to begin. Give Peter's "Trash Bag Tango" a try and see where you are in a week or two. It's a pretty simple method to tackle the superficial clutter that can really get you down.

Take two large, lawn-size garbage bags. Mark one for trash, the other for charity/give away. Take 10 minutes and go through your house or even one room. Quickly pick up items that need to go into the garbage and put them into your trash bag. Also pick up any items that can be donated to charity or otherwise given away -- whatever you need to do to get it out of your house! -- and put those items into your donation bag.

You may or may not fill both bags in your first 10 minute session. If you don't, no problem, just put them in your garage, laundry room or some other out of the way place until the next day. When you do fill up the trash bag, put it into your garbage can. When you do fill up the donation bag, put it into your car and take it to your favorite donation location the next day.

As Peter says:

Do this every day for one week and you'll notice a difference.

Do it every day for two weeks and others will notice a difference.

Do it every day for a month and you will be on your way to getting a handle on the clutter that's been surrounding you.

Just do it!