How to Sort Through the Clutter

This is the organizing stage that takes the longest and where people tend to get stuck most often when it comes to organizing a room.

Many times this is what happens: you decide you are going to organize your bedroom closet. So, you pull everything out and start trying to decide what to do with all the stuff piled on your bed. Shock then hits when you realize how much stuff you had crammed in there.

Lastly, you close the door and go sleep on the couch.
There is a method to the madness when it comes to sorting through the clutter. You need to have a plan and you need to know what questions to ask as you handle every item.

How difficult is this: Average
How long will this take: It varies by room

Here’s how to sort through the clutter:

1. Gather your supplies.

You will need four boxes labeled “keep”, “throw away”, “donate/sell” and “belongs in another room”. It’s also a good idea to get you a big glass of water and put on some music that gives you energy. You are going to need it when you are sorting through mounds of clutter.

2. Start at one corner of the room and work your way around.

Don’t start hopping from one end of the room to the other. If you start at one corner and work your way around, you will be less likely to get distracted by that broken lamp you love that’s on the other side of the room. Wait to deal with that when you get to that side. There is such a thing as organized chaos when it comes to sorting through the clutter.

3. Handle every item once.

This is also known as the rule OHIO or “only handle it once”. Pick up each item and make a quick decision. If you agonize over each item, you will eventually get burnt out and not finish sorting through everything.

4. As you handle each item ask yourself some of these questions:
o Is it garbage?
o Does it need to be repaired?
o Has it been more than a year since it has been used?
o Do I use this item in a different room? If so, put the item in the “belongs in another room” box.
o Is the item actually used and enjoyed in this room? If so, put it in the keep box.
o Can this item help someone else?
o What is the worst that could happen if I get rid of this?

5. After you are done sorting every item, distribute the boxes.

Take the “trash box” and put it next to the trash can. Put the “belongs in another room” box and the “donate/sell” box in another room to deal with later. Right now your main focus is the current room you are working on. Don’t let yourself get distracted.

Here are some tips for you:

1. Enlist the help of a friend or family member.
2. Take 5 minute breaks. Get a drink of water, stretch or walk around the block.
3. Realize that you may not finish this in one day. Just start the next day where you left off.

You can do this!