"Too Much Stuff" Syndrome or How Decorating and Organizing Can Help Your Sanity

Publishing Guidelines:clothes for the upcoming season. She would invariably
You may publish this article with the article andchoose cold mornings to try on summer things and the
resource boxintact and unchanged provided any linkshottest day on record to slip into woolens and flannels...
are hyperlinked.(If your kids give you flack for trying on clothes in the
A courtesy copy of your publication would becomfort of air conditioning, you may use this as your
appreciated.own example.) If you haven't worn something in the
(The challenge paragraph may be omitted for space.)time it took you to have your second child, it's probably
"Too Much Stuff" Syndrome ornot worth hanging on to (unless, of course, the
How Decorating and Organizing Can Helpdumpster is full).
Your Sanityby Lisa DeClueUse a great tip I just discovered: Pick three nights a
This area of home life is different from others in that itweek to try on 5 items in your closet, then go to your
involves all the senses and to that degree it isdressers and do the same thing. At this rate, the
successful, engendering varying emotions. Decoratingaverage American woman should be able to go
isn't really a hobby, nor is it merely an activity; it's athrough all her clothes in about 3 years, 9 months and
driving force of many people to live in comfortable and14 days. No need to worry, it'll be a different season
pleasing surroundings while they regenerate from athen!
stressful world.Kids' Toys
Yet, decorating by itself is not nearly as completely1.You could try to "limit" the number of toys they play
satisfying as having an organized home that is rich inwith each month and cycle them to and from the
beautiful detail. Decorating and organizing gogarage so your little ones get variety.
hand-in-hand, like a one-two punch of home completion.2.That takes too much effort. I just threatened my
In an effort to motivate you to action, use theseboys if they left toys out on their floor at bedtime, they
suggestions to help you on your way to an organizedwould be in the dumpster the next day (the toys, silly!).
home this spring and summer.Do this twice, and you'll have this hot spot under
Paper Cluttercontrol.
1.If you're like my dear Mother and you still haveI hope these points have given you some new ways
newspapers from 1978 because you haven't readto look at the problem of clutter and refreshing
them all: Don't walk, RUN to the sanitation departmentmethods to deal with them. Given the fun you'll have
and rent an industrial sized dumpster to leave in yourwith that dumpster, you might want to consider renting
driveway for a week.a second one for the hubby's stuff.
2.I'm giving you permission to touch your incoming mailI'll tell you what. If you really do rent a dumpster (okay,
and papers more than once - only if the secondit can be the smaller version) I'll have a reward for your
"touching" is on the way to the dumpster.diligence. Ladies - Email me that you filled your
3.You know that pile of "things to file" that keepsdumpster to the very tippy top and something funny
growing? Guess what - dump that too. You canthat happened during the process. I'll send you a
always print off another copy or send away for thecoupon for a discount on a Fragrance Lamp that will fill
info. over the Internet. (This, coming from the daughteryour home with lovely aromas. Gentlemen - Email me
of a paper monster...)the same (that is, that you actually rented the thing and
Clothingfilled it, and an amusing related story) and I will send
Twice a year, my mom would make me try onyou a Gift Certificate for your wife. Such a deal!