When it comes to getting organized, one of the key elements must be editing. However, the very idea of getting rid of possessions strikes fear into the hearts of many. As with any other process, it often helps to have some rules in place. Consider these six rules of editing to help you take steps toward living a clutter-free life. 

1. Vow To Bring Less Home

The most important rule to set before you even begin to purge items is to make a sincere effort to bring less stuff in. There’s no point in putting forth the effort to edit if you undo all your progress by buying more stuff. Setting a mindset to shop with intention is the first step to clearing out the clutter for good. 

2. Start With The Easy Stuff

One way to gain momentum in the paring down process is to start with the easy things.  Begin boxing up items that don’t hold much emotional attachment. Doing so will lead to a sense of accomplishment and provide motivation for you to keep going when the decision-making becomes tougher. 

3. Lose The Duplicates

Another relatively easy decluttering task involves getting rid of unnecessary duplicate items. Take a moment to go through your home and gather up all your duplicate articles of clothing, dish sets and books. Then sort through them, keeping only your favorite one that is in the best condition and donate the rest. 

4. Document Your Mementos

Nostalgia is a powerful emotion that can lead us to hold onto clutter.  An effective compromise is to digitize your prized possessions. You can scan the images of things like certificates or kids’ artwork into your computer and organize them into folders. For three-dimensional pieces like trophies or prom dresses, take a photo of the item to add to your digital keepsakes. There are so many apps, like Artkive, that offer services to assist you with this process. 

5. Let Go Of The Guilt

An empowering editing strategy is to get rid of things you’ve been holding onto out of guilt. It doesn’t matter how much you paid for that stylish coat if it’s not being used, and unwanted gifts are something else you should part with immediately. These things are yours. The decision of whether to keep them is also yours.

6. Put Things In Their Place

Another way to bring organization to your home is to make sure all of your possessions have a designated place and to always return them there. Knowing where stuff goes and keeping like items together makes it easier to stay organized and lowers the chance of clutter becoming a recurring problem.

These rules aren’t the definitive last word on clearing out the clutter, however, they can serve as guidelines to help you begin your decluttering journey.

If you need inspiration, follow me on Instagram @tklifestyleorganizer or Facebook at TK Lifestyle Organizer. If you need more support, set up a free 20 consultation call at http://www.tklifestyleorganizer.com/booking.