Encore Episode: Declutter Your Life

That's it! It's time to deal with your stuff.
Do you collect things? Have a habit of holding onto things? Maybe your plan is a little cluttered?

If you’re listening to this podcast, something’s not working in your relationship with your stuff.

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Clutter is a constant to-do list. It raises your stress level. You have to get a handle on it so you can move on with your life.

Tips for Decluttering

  • Start three steps back from your catch-all space. Why are things landing in the catch-all space?
  • Do you have room in your closet for your sweaters or in your garage for your holiday decorations? Make space for the things you’re going to put away.
  • Set aside the time to work on decluttering. It’s too easy to put it off if it’s not scheduled.
  • Have your tools handy. You need a garbage bag, a box for donations, water and snacks.
  • Know it will be work. Set yourself up for success with realistic expectations
  • Give spare stuff to people in your immediate circle. Donate leftovers to local charities. It’s easy to let things go when you know they’ll be put to good use.
Five Ps of Decluttering

  1. Pull everything out of the space you’re tackling.
  2. Put it together. Sort things into piles by similarity. You can see how much of everything you have.
  3. Purge. Be honest with yourself about what you use and don’t use. Don’t feel guilty about the money you spent on stuff you aren’t going to use.
  4. Put everything back that you’ve decided to keep. Make sure you have a place to store what you kept.
  5. Peace of mind is yours.
Clutter doesn’t happen overnight so it’s going to take time to declutter. Go easy on yourself and focus on small spaces. You’ll have to do maintenance on spaces as you bring more stuff into your home.

Listen as organizational expert Tracy McCubbin joins Melanie Cole, MS, to help you declutter your life.

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Additional Info

  • Segment Number: 1
  • Audio File: lifes_too_short/ts48.mp3
  • Featured Speaker: Tracy McCubbin, Organizational Expert
  • Guest Website: Tracy McCubbin
  • Guest Twitter Account: @ tracy_mccubbin
  • Guest Bio: Tracy McCubbin1Tracy McCubbin has always referred to herself as “obsessive compulsive delightful,” but who knew she could turn that trait into a booming business?

    Nearly ten years ago, while working for a major television director in Los Angeles, Tracy discovered she had the ability to see through any mess and clearly envision a clutter-free space. Coupled with keen time-management and organizational skills, Tracy soon found more and more people were asking her for help. Before she knew it, dClutterfly was born.

    Ten years and over 1,200 jobs later, dClutterfly has been named “Best in Nest” by DailyCandy and has received the Super Service Award from Angie's List for five years. Tracy is a regularly featured expert on KTLA Morning Show, KCAL9, and Good Day Sacramento. She and her company have also been featured in Real Simple, Women's Day and ShopSmart. Along with her team of expert dClutterers, Tracy is ready to tackle any project, big or small.

    In addition to her impressive organizing tool belt, Tracy grew up with family members who hoarded and knows firsthand that the effects of living amongst an accumulation of possessions goes far beyond the home’s walls. This personal experience gives her an advantage over most professional organizers as she has a unique understanding of the mindset of the organizationally and spatially-challenged.

    When she is not dCluttering, Tracy is the proud Co-Executive Director of OneKid OneWorld, a non-profit building strong educational foundations for children in impoverished communities throughout Kenya and Central America. OKOW is providing kids with the basic (yet essential) fundamentals like desks and books, as well as paying teachers’ salaries, building classrooms and even installing solar power technology so students can study at night. OKOW's most recent project #OneGirlOnePad will provide access to reusable feminine hygiene kits to over 4,000 girls in Kenya, allowing them to attend school all year round. OneKid OneWorld is Tracy's “full time, non-paying passion.”
  • Length (mins): 15:02
  • Waiver Received: Yes
Published in Life's Too Short
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