A quick closet clearing.

Standing in front of your clothes closet, donation bag at the ready; starting on the left side take out anything you don't like and are clear you'll never wear again.
No need to spend time agonizing-you know which things need to go.
Set the empty hangers to the side.

When you reach the end of the rod, close the doors
and take the bag of donations to your car.

Put the empty hangers in the laundry room so
you'll have them the next time you need them.

This is a fast and easy way to clear some space.

Even if you don't decide to move on to a more complete sorting, prioritizing and organizing project,
you now know that what's left are clothes you like 

and will wear.

(Keeping a donation bag at the ready, both in the laundry and in the closet, will make it easier to let go of other things as you realize they aren't your style, aren't flattering, don't fit the life you have now, or were buying errors)

Sometimes a speed sort is just what you need to make a little space, feel a little less cluttered,
and get inspired to do a little more.

Yes? No? Maybe so.........

Gratitude is a discipline, not an emotion.  
                                                               Joshua Becker

Time and priorities

This time of year can feel especially overwhelming 

with all we feel there is to do
and trying to find the time and energy to do it.

Guilt, obligation, traditions, family, friends, co workers,
special events, parties, shopping, and, and...
all piled on top of our regular schedule of activities-
No wonder we feel stressed and grumpy.

We can't do it all.
(Truly, we don't even really want to!)

This year, instead of saying "I don't have the time",
try saying "It's not a priority."

Some commitments really are the most important.
Some activities really do fill your heart.
Some relationships you really do want to nurture.

Permission granted to:

Decide what's important.
Let go of everything else.

Spend more money. Buy fewer things.

Cheap things usually are.

Try using your money more wisely.
Spending a little more initially  to get an item of higher quality is a better use of your funds.

Better craftsmanship and higher quality materials create products that are nicer to use, hold up better, wear out less often, and need replacing less frequently.

Better tools often make a job easier,
quality clothing looks nicer longer, and
most cheap food is highly processed and less healthy.

(Frugal is different than cheap. 

Frugal means buying the good stuff when it's on sale.....)

The next time you're shopping
consider how much you're spending 

and the value you are receiving.

Return on investment

Bang for your buck.
Results based on effort.

You get the idea.

You may have a long list of cluttered places in your home
that could use your attention.
And what's true is:  You have a limited amount of time (energy and interest).

Consider which project is going to get you the most useable results.
Where can you spend thirty minutes in order to gain five minutes every day?
Which areas are 'shoulds' and which areas impact your quality of life?

Sorting through the box of photos or sorting the pantry?
Arranging your underwear drawer or moving your summer clothes to the back of the closet?
Paring down your craft supplies or clearing the garage so you can use the space more effectively?

You get the idea.

Decide which project is really important to you.
Which space frustrates you on a daily basis?
How could organizing one space alleviate problems in another area?

You don't have to commit to a several hour project,
although that might be just the catalyst you need.
Ten minutes of serious effort in one small space or drawer could solve several problems
and leave you feeling more organized and less overwhelmed.

Choose one spot.
Sort, prioritize and organize what's living there.
See what a small time investment can make.
Invest in the life you really want to be living.

Easy

Eliminate steps and make life  (and chores) easier.

Pay bills on line.
Stash your work out clothes in your car.
Set up a donation bag right by the dryer.
Keep your vitamins next to your morning coffee cup.
Have the shedder and recycle  where you sort your mail.
Store bathroom cleaning supplies under the bathroom sink.
Use the notes feature on your smart phone to record your grocery list.

Store items where you use them.
Make it easy to complete tasks.
Eliminate unnecessary steps and complications.
Set yourself up to be successful.

Less time spent on the mechanics of daily living
frees up more time to spend doing what you really like
with the people you love.

Spend a little

Spending a little time now, means spending less time later.

Use the Two Minute Rule: 
If you can do something in two minutes or less,
do it now.
Deal with the mail every day:
Recycle the unnecessary, shred, date and add items
to your Action folder.
Take ten before bed:
Spend ten minutes each evening tidying up,
start the dishwasher, load the dyer.

By taking a little time on a regular basis to deal with the every day tasks of life,
things are less overwhelming.
You have fewer piles,
messes don't get out of control, and
you won't have to dig out from under a mountain of
clutter just to find your keys.

Creating just one or two new habits,
having a few daily routines, and
making it easy to handle the mechanics of daily living
frees up your time and your mind.

Spending a little time every day buys you more space 
for the life you really want to be living........