Six Simple Tips To Reduce Clutter

As I was walking this morning there was a beautiful rainbow in the sky. I started thinking how each color could represent some part of organization in our homes. (I can't help it, as a professional organizer my mind works that way). The story I was told as a child about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow was fun and I always wanted to find that pot of gold. Now I am older I know real gold is found here in my own home with my family and friends.

But as a professional organizer as I organize for women I see how often clutter takes over lives; causing disharmony, contention, financial problems, stress and a myriad of other problems.

Here is a beautiful legend I found about the rainbow. It is based on a Native American Legend:

Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel: all claimed that they were the best, the most important, the most useful, the favorite.

GREEN said: "Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. BLUE interrupted: "You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life.

YELLOW chuckled: "You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. Without me there would be no fun." ORANGE started next to blow her trumpet: "I am the color of health and strength.

RED shouted: "I am the ruler of all of you - I am blood - life's blood! PURPLE spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power.

Finally, INDIGO spoke, much more quietly but with just as much determination: "Think of me. I am the color of silence. You need me for balance and contrast.

And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Suddenly rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.

In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak: "You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? "From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace.

In our homes the things we chose to have around us can each have a special purpose, each unique and different. But when our possessions become clutter we no longer have peace and harmony. Just like the rainbow colors who worked together to bring peace we can have peace by reducing clutter in our homes. Here are some tips on how to reduce clutter: nn*Before buying something ask these questions: Do I have a place to put this? Do I have something like this at home? Will I miss this if I don't buy it? What can I get rid of in my home if I buy this?nn*In your clothes closet after you have worn something hang it with the hanger facing the opposite direction. This way you can see what clothes you really wear. Donate the clothes you aren't wearing, those you avoid because you don't like but are perfectly good.nn*Make sure all the clothes in your closet are wearable. If there is a button missing or a seam that needs fixing, take it out of your closet and only return it after it is fixed. You will keep avoiding wearing it if it isn't in wearable condition and it clutters your closet.nn*In the kitchen donate the dishes you are keeping but never use. (I'm not talking about special occasion dishes). It's those dishes "you might use someday", but never do. The dishes you use weekly place in the most convenient area of your cupboards.nn*Go through your pantry, check for expiration dates, and get rid of outdated food. If you have canned foods you have had for awhile plan a menu for that week to use it.nn*Use containers to contain everything. This really helps to cut the clutter as it defines how much you can store. Label what is in the containers.

By reducing and eliminating clutter in our homes we will have finally found the pot of gold we searched for at the end of the rainbow when we were children.

Marilyn's bio: Marilyn is a creative organizer who helps women, seniors and their families create space and end clutter in their homes and offices by setting up custom made systems.

Marilyn invites you to visit her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find solutions to your organizing needs. She offers free tips in her blogs, articles and videos for your home and office organizing solutions.