The Complexities of Simplicity

Albert Einstein once said, "Out of clutter, find simplicity," but I don't think he was remarking on any of the drawers or closets where I keep mine. 

Over the years I have come up with a couple of quick clutter tricks that help me at least have the appearance of clean.  I will only share ideas that do not make me a hypocrite.  In other words, I won't suggest something I haven't been willing to do in twenty plus years of keeping my own house.  Though, my husband is way more organized than I am, so I might share his thoughts in a later post.     

So, my first two clutter cutting tips for you are these:

1. Clear flat surfaces first

If a room is messy, start your clutter control by removing all of the junk from the largest flat surface first.  In a bedroom it's usually the bed.  Clear it, make it and move on.  The momentum will propel you to the next largest flat space, the dresser.  In the kitchen, it's the usually one of the counters, or the table.  Clear the largest flat space first and then move on. Look and see what a difference it makes.  Now your rule is not to allow clutter to creep back to your flat spaces. I'm not asking you to tackle drawers and closets today, just one big flat space.

A clean room when just looking at large, flat surfaces.

This is all going on behind the chair, but you don't notice it because the bed and all the other flat spaces are clean.

2. Use three bags for your clutter clearing task

One of my biggest problems in tackling clutter is my propensity for getting sidetracked.  Finding a home for everything WHILE I'm clearing a space is a serious temptation.  Instead of leaving my work space, on the distracted pretense of putting things away  I find I get the task done faster if I have the following containers with me:

• 1 For stuff that goes in another space - I don't put it away until I'm done with my task
• 1 For stuff I are going to give away/sell - the thought of a yard sale is abominable to me, I bag it all up and send it off to the local thrift store, and NEVER think about it again. 
• 1 For garbage - 'nough said.

Remember, don't leave your space until the job is done, or for 15 minutes, whichever comes first.

So, go to it and find your simplicity, my friend. Then again, Einstein also is alleged to have said:  

“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, then what are we to think of an empty desk?”

Hmm.  The complexities of simplicity.