Get Organized Month 2012:
Top 10 Tips from Around the Country

1. Do you know what it means to be organized? Take this short quiz to find out: annarbor.com/home-garden/ask-betty-get-organized-month-tips-for-organizing-paper-documents-and-files/
   
   
2. Check out these practical organizing tips. It's always best to start small at first: www.onlineorganizing.com/CalendarHoliday.asp?holiday=29
   
   
3. Ask yourself these questions when deciding what to keep, donate or toss: simplifiedbee.blogspot.com/2010/01/national-get-organized-month-and-de.html
   
   
4. These tips are sure to help you get uncluttered: unclutterer.com/2012/01/02/get-organized-in-january/
   
   
5. Quick, easy tips to help you on your journey to get organized: www.heritage.com/articles/2012/01/02/opinion/doc4f0073062c54f363909025.txt
   
   
6. This daily organizing checklist will guide you for the entire month of January: www.getorganizednow.com/cl-month.html?hm
   
   
7. Organize your home office by following these tips: blog.lifeuncluttered.com/tips/january-is-get-organized-month-3/
   
   
8. These tips will not only help you declutter your home, but they'll also help you declutter your life as well: www.clean-organized-family-home.com/organized-new-year.html
   
   
9. Start by making a plan for getting organized: http://www.susiesorganizationsolutions.com/page9.php?post=6
   
   
10. Check out these 4 easy ways to tackle your clutter: www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/2011/12/22/20111222household-clutter-strategy.html

Readers are encouraged to email regina@AClearPath.net with requests and suggestions for A Clear Path Top 10!

Top 10 Tips to help change the way
we think about our stuff

1. Work on clearing psychic debris - the stuff floating around our head that has us convinced we cannot let something go even though it no longer serves our needs. Make a new rule: If it doesn't help us meet our needs, goals, or our aesthetic sense, let it go.
   
   
2. Less is more. If you have more than you need of regular, daily-use items, consider keeping 5 and donating the rest.
   
   
3. Our stuff is made to be used. If we aren't using it, let it find it's use elsewhere.
   
   
4. Keep what you love but be sure it loves you back!
   
   
5. Don't clutter others. Consider changing the way you give gifts. Instead of making a purchase (or cluttering your space with gift items through the year), donate to the recipient's favorite charity. If you think the recipient has plenty of stuff, a gift card to a restaurant or coffee place means they have to consume the purchase thereby eliminating clutter in their space.
   
   
6. Be honest in your gift receiving. If someone in your life consistently gives inappropriate gifts, gently tell the person that you simply don't need a thing for the holidays, but if they insist, you would be honored if they donated to your favorite charity, then provide them with an address.
   
   
7. Re-gift what you can't use or don't like. You may not want to re-gift back to the original giver so attach that person's name to a little note to remember where you got it before you re-wrap it.
   
   
8. Make a decision about keeping gifts you have no use for. Be strong. It's your space. Don't hold on to something because you think the giver will hate you for giving it away. If you feel you have to justify or explain your actions, do so with love.
   
   
9. Storage facilities: Do not let the lure of low prices on storage places keep you from making decisions about the stuff that no longer serves your needs, goals, or desire for cleared space.
   
   
10. Family "treasures" handed down to your care is a tough issue and requires deep reflection.
    
    • The designated keeper of family heirlooms is probably drowning in clutter. Into the mix of the regular household stuff are grandma's formal dinnerware, dad's tie collection, and mom's sewing machines. Dealing with this is emotionally exhausting but necessary to one's overall well-being.
      
    • Some strategies include: Encourage family conversations about letting go. Donate or sell, re-use or recycle. Place a higher value on your well-being. Re-value your relationship to the items.
      

BONUS: Learn the "Let it Go" Song! (Try it! Sing along to the tune of "Let It Snow")
Oh the clutter inside is frightful.
And my dear, it's not delightful.
So let's give it the old heave' ho.
Let it go, let it go, let it go.

Who needs a professional organizer?