How to Simplify Your Life and Reduce Clutter

People often ask me how they can find more time in their day to do all the things they want or need to do. Do you have time to do fun things with your family and friends? Do you have time to do all the things you have scheduled to do every day? As a professional organizer I suggest it may be as easy as getting rid of clutter and simplifying your life and your schedule to help you find time for everything you have “on your plate”.

So how do you simplify your life? Here are 11 simple tips to do just that:

Do you feel you are a slave to electronics? I was faxing some information one day and I was telling the machine to hurry up. A co-worker pointed out that technology has made us impatient. A fax gets information to another person in a matter of seconds where it used to take hours or days for the person to receive the information and yet I was complaining that it was taking a few extra seconds.

Take a look at all of the technology you are tied to. It can be overwhelming. Set boundaries for all of your technical gadgets. For example: Screen calls using caller ID. Let your answering machine or voice mail take some of your calls. On your automated greeting, make it clear when you are available and when you are not available. Set a specific time each day to return calls, and return emails. Set a timer for the amount of time you will surf on the internet. By limiting yourself to a specific time to be on the computer it will free you up to do other things.

Do you feel you are on information overload? Information sources are seemingly unlimited, narrow your focus. Cut back on the number of publications you subscribe to. This will immediately help you in getting rid of clutter because you stopped clutter before it started to pile up in your home.

Limit yourself to the number of websites you visit for information. Focus solely on the main sources you rely on most. That is not to say not to branch out, just don’t get lost in all the sources there are to get information.

I teach classes as a professional organizer and I ask my students if they watch television. I am surprised at the amount of people who say they don’t watch any TV. I have certain shows I watch and I set my timer to remind me when they will start so I don’t have to have the TV on before the show starts and possibly get sucked into watching another show. If you are a TV watcher tally up how many hours you spend watching TV on a daily basis. Cut the number of hours the TV is on and plan activities with your family instead or do something nice for yourself.

Another way to simplify your life and get rid of clutter is to make a place that is your own private sanctuary. Make a place where you can find peace and solitude. It may be your bedroom, a patio or maybe in the bathroom where you can lock the door and turn up the music so you can’t hear little hands pounding on the door asking you what you are doing. Set aside a few minutes every day to sit, relax, meditate or do nothing. Or your sanctuary may be to take a walk where you can plan and think about things meaningful to you.

By getting rid of clutter and simplifying your life you will be happier, and have more hours in your day to do what you want and need to do. You'll have time to stop and smell the roses.