Clean Up Your Life
2/20/2007

Do you have closets or drawers that are so full, they won’t quite close? It turns out – this creates stress and more stress is NOT what we need more of. I’ve outlined several areas of your home and have the following tips for you to purge the extras and enjoy your 2010 to its fullest. 1) Kitchen – Even Emeril doesn’t need six spatulas & four whisks. Two of each is plenty. Donate the extras to charity. Look around your kitchen. Any appliance or dish that is used every-once-in-a-while should be placed on a shelf in the garage or another closet. This lends to a spacious – happy kitchen. Oh, and my #1 rule – keep your counters clear. Only those things used every day are allowed. 2) Home Office – Go through mail on the way back from the mailbox. Immediately toss all junk mail, brochures, etc. Have a bill paying container – I use a metal napkin holder because the flowers on it make me smile. 3) The Garage or Basement – they are NOT warehouses. Begin by attacking one shelf or corner at a time. Itemize all items and donate to charity. You’ll get a tax deduction and feel better too – I promise. I use www.itsdeductible.com. 4) Clothes Closet – 80% of the time, we wear 20% of our clothes. To prove my point, go through your closet and turn all hangers in the same direction. When you wear the garment, turn the hanger around. Then, in a month or so, look at what you actually wore. Purge anything that is too small, too large, faded OR you just don’t feel great in it. Oh, if you are a 10 – don’t save 6s. Again, itemize and enjoy the tax deduction once you’ve donated it.