Clutter makes me feel crazy! I can't think straight, I feel anxious just looking at it, and it drains me of energy. It's been said that you're outer reality is a reflection of your inner reality. With that said, there comes a time when you have to dig deep and find the emotional stamina required to get through it.

The good news, though, is that once you clear most of your clutter and create a clear system to avoid its accumulation in the future; high energy levels, more clarity and a heightened sense of well-being are your rewards. In actuality, it's quite therapeutic and most people avoid it because it's such an emotional process.

My advice is, "folders." Create piles and label folders so that you're organizing out of the gate.

Keep me posted on the "system" that you come up with to avoid the clutter re-appearing again. I'd also be interested in hearing from the community regarding systems they have in place that work.

Good Luck!

Hey Nellie,
In the book 10 Simple Solutions to Adult ADD, they talk about this subject and here is what they say "...pace yourself do a little bit at a time...have you used the items in the past year? can someone else benefit from these things? think about these things and get rid of a lot of stuff you aren't using...one of the best ways to reduce clutter is to cut it off at its source...cancel newspaper, use the library instead of buying books, sign up for electronic statements instead of paperbills, go through mail as soon as it you get it."

I hope it helps.

Thanks Amanda for your great feedback and suggestions! I agree with everything you have said, and then some.

It is one of many reasons for my shifting process. My 'stuff' both internal and external are shifting for the better.

I do use folders for things and my paperwork, files etc. are in pretty good shape, save for a box or two left over from moving to a new state.

Those contain our kid’s old school papers and other memorabilia I get to sort through.

I adopted a system a few years ago that works for me, and our oldest daughter uses something similar as well. The folders are color coded because I do well with visual cues.

I discovered from doing earlier decluttering work that I am a piler of stuff. I can make piles i.e. mountains of stuff then I would have to shift the mountain each time I went looking for something. Not at all productive.

I bought color coded files, created a priority system based on the colors and used that. I also bought these neat hanging according files at Office Depot that are color coded that you can hang up, making what I use most, vertical and easy to access.

I'm refining this system now as I move to the next level. I am clear about using small steps, from my work as a coach, and knowing what works for me and leads to success, not to mention being a mom and what works for my kids.

I'll keep you posted on how it is going.

Thanks again!

Hey Casey,

Thanks for the great feedback, and the support. I've taken a lot of those steps. My mail comes in and the junk goes out into recycling the same moment it comes in. Some of it goes to the shred pile because the junk are credit card offers.

Over the summer I did sort and give away to the local resale shop several bags of clothes. Stuff I have not worn in ages. Ditto for things my kids had long outgrown. It was a good cause as the funds raised at the resale shop go to support hospice care.

I am curious why you refered to the book 'Simple Solutions to Adult ADD'? I smiled at that because there are moments when I am multi-tasking like nobodies business.

It looks like we might share something in common too. I glanced at your profile and it looks like you are in the midst of training as a wellness coach. Are you taking the Wellness Inventory training?

I completed the program in August and loved it. A great deal of personal growth and wonderful, powerful tools to use as a coach.

I'm applying many of the tools from the WI to my declutter process as well.

Thanks again for the great suggestions!