Want or need?

Clutter is often a result of items we purchased 

which we wanted

but didn't necessarily need.

We were tempted by the sale price,
or the perceived lure of its usefulness,
or the can't remember if I already have this,
or maybe the having a back up would be a good idea,
or if it's in bulk in must be a savings,
or, or, or.

Many times these purchases sit unopened in the bag
or unused on the shelf,
or end up necessitating a trip back to the store as a return.

We all shop for a variety of reasons,
However:
Pause before you bring out your wallet.
Be clear on exactly what it is you think you are buying.
Where it will live in your home, and
how it supports the life you say you want to be living.

If you want to have less clutter and
a more organized home and life
you need to shop wisely.

Subtract to add

Funny math eh?
The truth is that in order to add more space in 

your home and life you're going to have to subtract 

some of the items currently occupying space.

Subtracting clothes you don't wear,
kitchen items you don't use,
sports equipment you don't play with,
toys your children have out grown, and
unnecessary files and paper work,
will add up to open spaces.
And give you more storage options for
the things you really use, need and value.

Editing out things you no longer use,
letting go of duplicates (or triplicates),
and dealing with the pile of mail, are
all ways to subtract the unnecessary
and add some simple order to your space.

A few acts of subtraction will multiply into
results that you can see and build on.

Do the math.
Subtract to add.

Four things you can give away immediately

Praise.
A smile.
A thank you.
Yourself a break.

Four more:
A book you loved but will never reread.
That pair of shoes that is too small, too big, too not you.
Something of Justin Case's.
A months old resentment.

And tomorrow you can give another four.......

Two quick closet ideas

One:  Remove all the empty hangers.
  That alone should free up inches of space.

Two:  Group like with like.
  All your long sleeve shirts together.
  All your short sleeve shirts.
  All your pants.
  All your dresses.
  All your skirts.
  All your sports jackets.
  All your suits.
  You get the idea.

Two B.  Within those categories,
  group all the casual items together,
  and all the work clothes together.

If you want to be really organized,
  put those items into matching color ways.
  All the black pants side by side.
  All the white shirts next to each other.  Etc.

For bonus points you could consider changing out
all your mismatched, multi material hangers for
one color of one kind.
I recommend the thin profile, non slip velvet ones.
They really do take up less space on the rod,
are non-slip, notched to hold straps in place and
create a far less cluttered look to your closet.

And gosh, as long as you're taking the time to switch your clothes off the old hangers on to the nice new ones,
you might as well do a bit of purging at the same time.
Ask yourself, "Does this look fabulous on me?
"Do I like how I look and feel when I'm wearing it?"
"Does the item still fit?"
"Is it worn, dirty, stained?"
"Out of date?  Out of style?"
"Would you buy it now?"
"Am I keeping this out of guilt or obligation?"
"How many SWAG tee shirts are enough?"

By letting go of the items you haven't worn,
won't wear, can believe you still even have,
your closet will have more room.

Getting dressed is easier when you have an organized closet 
that only contains things you are willing and able to wear.